Fishery Biologist 2- PostDoc Green Crab eDNA Research

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting candidates to fill the position of a Fisheries Biologist 2, Postdoctoral Researcher to work with USGS Western Fisheries Research Center on green crab eDNA research. This is a full-time benefits eligible position with an expected start date of January 4th, 2027. The duration of the position is 2 years with an expected work schedule of 40 hours per week.

Position/Project Details:

European green crabs are a recently established marine invader on the west coast of North America. Currently, resource managers rely on trapping and molt surveys for biosurveillance and early detection. Environmental DNA (eDNA) offers a promising additional tool for early detection of green crab, but its use is currently limited. This is largely because guidance on designing effective eDNA surveys and translating survey results to management actions is lacking.

The overall research objective is to develop and refine eDNA methods to complement other early detection approaches and increase the capacity of current biosurveillance programs. This includes identifying eDNA sampling strategies that maximize detection probabilities, applying these findings to the design of effective green crab eDNA surveys, and clarifying how survey results should be interpreted for practical decision making.

Because green crabs, as hard‑shelled crustaceans, shed relatively little eDNA and inhabit diverse and dynamic environments, foundational studies on effective eDNA sampling strategies are needed to advance the method. The incumbent uses eDNA and modeling approaches to evaluate green crab densities and trap catch-per-unit-efforts, environmental effects, spatial sampling strategies, and sampling effort and is open to other relevant considerations. In addition, the incumbent may be involved in DNA-based studies that evaluate the effectiveness of light traps or other methods for capturing green crab larvae for early detection.

Responsibilities:

• Work with the USGS Principal Investigator on study design and oversight.
• Coordinate with field teams to plan and execute sampling efforts, ensuring adherence to study design, sample integrity, and proper documentation. Participate in some of the field work, collecting eDNA samples along the Washington Coast and in Hood Canal and Puget Sound, Washington.
• Interpret the results with strong analytical rigor.
• Analyze complex datasets using eDNA-based occupancy modeling methods.
• Conduct sensitivity analyses to evaluate how environmental factors influence eDNA detection probabilities.
• Communicate findings through peer-reviewed publications, reports, and presentations to scientific and stakeholder audiences.
• Maintain high standards of data management, reproducibility, and record keeping in accordance with responsible conduct of research.
• Depending upon capacity and workload, assist in the laboratory with sample processing.
• The position requires the ability to drive an automobile.

Required Qualifications:

• The minimum level of education is a PhD, preferably in molecular biology, fisheries, wildlife, or marine ecology, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience executing and interpreting occupancy models, preferably evaluating eDNA data.
• Experience integrating ecological field data with molecular data streams and interpreting results.
• Proficiency in R for statistical modeling and data visualization.
• Experience with evaluating eDNA through quantitative PCR, digital PCR, or environmental metabarcoding.
• Field sampling and chain of custody handling for environmental samples.
• Validation of assays against field data.
• Experience working alongside field teams.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with multi-agency teams and communicate with non‑specialist audiences.
• A record of peer reviewed publications.
• Experience in field navigation and spatial data collection using GPS.

Essential Functions: Included in this band are professional positions that perform recurring assignments ranging from moderate difficulty where conventional or straight-forward biological concerns are encountered to complex assignments where specialized knowledge and demonstrated competence in advanced techniques are required. (The functions listed below are characteristic of the type and level of work associated with this group and pay band. They are not all-inclusive. Individual positions may perform some or all, as well as other similar work.)

At the lower end of the range, Fishery Biologists have a solid working knowledge of established scientific methods and techniques to perform recurring assignments of moderate difficulty. Methods and techniques are well established, apply to most situations, and do not require significant deviations. Resource planning reports generated by employees at this level involve conventional biological concerns. Reports generated may be short-range management plans or portions of annual work plans. Lower range work examples include:

• Following existing protocols for fish health screenings; conduct tissue sample collection, bacterial testing and analyses, blood collection and analyses, parasite identification, and necropsies on experimental fish populations. Recommend modifications of existing research protocols. Design data collection forms and set up research databases for integration of data. Compile and analyze data for reports, prepare graphics, contribute to or write papers for peer-reviewed journals, and present research results at professional meetings.
• Develop age composition structures, stock assessments, escapement totals, harvest levels, run reconstruction frameworks, and/or run forecasts for designated fish species and stock. Evaluate and direct sampling efforts or reporting practices to best meet data requirements. Write memoranda and reports necessary for transfer of information to the appropriate individuals, agencies, and organizations.
• Write or contribute to papers and reports for publication, and compile reports on results of data collection and analysis. Prepare and deliver formal and informal presentations at seminars, meetings, etc.
• Plan, design, schedule, and conduct fish catch and effort surveys for marine fisheries. Utilize existing general creel survey protocols and determine modifications that address specific marine fisheries conditions or special fisheries. Work with state, federal and regional fishery management councils to provide data on fisheries catch and effort and population trends as well as biology of marine fish species. Work with stock assessment biologists in relation to fisheries-specific data utilized in their stock assessments. Assist with database presentations of the data collected. Prepare reports and presentations as requested. Provide expertise in improvements to the design of creel surveys
• Conduct limited physical and biological watershed, stream, and fish habitat assessments. Responsible for conducting data investigation and research, drafting technical report, database management, GIS for all physical and biological data, and survey and inventory results. Prepare, present, implement and update watershed assessment plans.
• Assist in writing contract proposals and progress reports. Assist in developing detailed contract specifications, task statements, quality of work criteria, and other specifications.
• Monitor budget expenses for projects, control purchasing, and manage equipment inventories.

At the upper end of the range, the Fishery Biologist has specialized knowledge and demonstrated competence in advanced techniques of a complex area of fish biology sufficient to serve as a troubleshooter or specialist. The employee is competent to modify or adapt standard techniques, processes and procedures, and to assess, select, apply precedents and devise strategies and plans to overcome significant problems related to species production, protection, habitat restoration, or program management and evaluation. Planning reports generated by employees at this level assess the impact of various multi-faceted management or public practices on a resource. Upper range work examples include:

• Use biological information to evaluate run profiles and habitat suitability in stocked streams within a major geographical area. Develop comprehensive management plans to insure preservation, protection, and enhancement of habitats.
• Plan, design and implement research studies on fish health and/or nutrition. Analyze and report biological and/or genetic information affecting future selection, rearing, and spawning activities.
• Prepare both quarterly progress and annual reports on run status and hatchery or fish facility operations.
• Monitor and evaluate hatching, rearing and planting of fish. Evaluate and monitor adult return rates. Develop new rearing strategies.
• Prepare fish habitat measurement plans or management plans for a watershed or large geographic area.
• Diagnose various fish diseases or nutritional disorders in experimental populations or brood stock. Develop modifications to existing health protocols as well as experimental protocols.
• Write publishable reports of research and project findings.

Knowledge Required by the Position:

• Knowledge of fishery biology
• Knowledge of microbiology.
• Knowledge of aquatic habitats.
• Knowledge of the scientific method.
• Knowledge of sampling protocols.
• Knowledge of Windows-based computer applications such as:
• word processing
• spreadsheets
• e-mail
• publishing software
• presentation software
• database software
• topographic software
• bibliographic software
• statistical analysis packages.
• Knowledge of technical writing protocols.
• Knowledge of advanced statistical analysis and mathematics.

Additional Mandatory Skills:

• able to swim
• operate GPS
• valid driver's license
• specific software (spreadsheet, word processing, database management, GIS, statistical analysis, behavioral analysis, bibliographic)
• oral communication skills
• written communication skills

Physical Demands:

Demands generally range from sedentary to moderate --where there is walking, climbing stairs and ladders, reaching, lifting, bending, or extended periods of standing. Some Fishery Biologists in this range have rigorous physical demands where they must be able to handle buckets of water or gear weighing from 40 - 50 pounds, engage in long daily periods of hiking, camp out for extended periods, or maintain footing in fast-moving water.

Work Environment:

Some work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation. Some work may be performed in a laboratory setting which exposes the biologist to odors, chemicals, fish blood, and molds. The employee must use safety precautions including MSDS, gloves, hood, and eye protection. Some employees may work on narrow, elevated walkways and platforms that are over or adjacent to water. Field work involves exposure to all types of weather, slippery rocks or docks, trails, irregular terrain, insects, poison oak, rough or fast-moving water, or cold water temperatures. Work at high elevations or aboard boats may be required.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

A range of education and experience may be presented. At the lower end of the range, candidates must present successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major in biological science with at least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects and at least 12 semester hours in the animal sciences. In addition to the undergraduate degree requirement, candidates for positions at the lower end of the range must also present 1 year of Specialized Experience OR 2 years of progressively higher graduate education leading to a master's degree in fields directly related to the position being filled. An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.

At the upper end of the range, in addition to the undergraduate course of study described above, candidates must also must present one year of Specialized Experience OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph. D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree in fields directly related to the position being filled. An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.

Specialized Experience is experience that equips the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position being filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.

Western Fisheries Research Center Full-Year Employees working at least 30 hours a week are covered by the Company's Life, LTD and AD&D plan. They are eligible to enroll in medical, dental and vision insurance, as well as short term disability, voluntary Life, LTD and AD&D insurance, flexible spending and deferred compensation. An employee receives up to 120 hours of vacation during their first three years of service. After that, the amount of vacation increases every three years of service up to a maximum of 192 hours per year. $69373-$109122/ year