Marine Finfish Aquaculture Biological Technician I

Overview:

Lynker Corporation is a leading provider of innovative solutions in weather and climate science. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for innovation, Lynker leverages cutting-edge technologies and scientific expertise to support the creation and delivery of improved operational weather forecasts.

As part of our ongoing growth and expansion, we are seeking a dynamic and experienced Bilogical Technician I to join our team and support our staffing and recruiting operations.

This is a temporary contract ending September 29th, 2025

Responsibilities:

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), The Ecosystems and Aquaculture Division (EAD) The Ecosystems and Aquaculture Division supports research themes including ecosystem processes and environmental conditions for production of harvestable algae, invertebrates and vertebrates; the processes linking spatial and temporal patterns in climate with regional and local responses of species and their habitats; and the positive and negative influences of human activities on ecosystem function and services.

This is accomplished by the coordination and design of field surveys and laboratory investigations conducted by five research branches with staff across the Northeast. Better understanding of these processes enables the Division to develop technologies and recommendations to promote the growth of a highly productive aquaculture industry, to support assessment and management of protected and harvested species, and more generally to support the development of Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management in the Northeast Region.

The task includes the following:

1. Assists in the planning of and preparations for lab-based aquaculture studies.
2. Familiar with components of recirculating aquaculture systems and aquarium life support systems e.g. pumps, plumbing, filtration, biofilters, chillers, heaters, foam fractionators, protein skimmers, radial separators, drum filters, fluidized biobeds.
3. Understands the principles of aquarium life support systems as applied to flow-through and recirculating aquaculture systems.
4. Experience with fabricating PVC plumbing systems and use of power tools
5. Systematically monitors and maintains flow-through and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) with requisite sampling of water and other system parameters.
6. Familiar with water quality (temperature, dissolved oxygen) chemistry monitoring and testing of captive fish populations.
7. Troubleshoots to identify and remedy the causes of variation in culture conditions.
8. Identifies supply needs, sources, and costs; communicates via list with attributes to Team Leader/Technical Representative
9. i. Has prior experience with fish husbandry, monitoring, care, feeding and nutrition.
10. Familiarity with traditional fish tagging techniques (tbar, anchor, elastomer, pit etc.) j. Maintains the necessary cultures of live feeds and prepares frozen and dry feeds for finfish maintained prior to, during, and after experiments.
11. Collects or acquires adult fish (broodstock to be used as spawners) or propagules (eggs, larvae, etc.) for source of experimental material in aquaculture studies.
12. Work on a boat as needed to collect fish.
13. Feeds experimental fish and collects or monitors intake and / or waste as dictated by the experimental design.
14. Collects, samples, stores, processes (measures, weights etc.), and/or ships fish as study subjects before, during, and after experiments for assays, deployment to grow-out sites, and/or markets.
15. Ability to enter, organize, summarize, and document data collection; to perform basic statistical analysis using microsoft software on collected data, deduce results, and communicate research findings.
16. Skilled in organizing, tracking, and documenting research activities; support tasks (supply needs and expenditures); and assisting NOAA personnel in a multi-tasking environment.
17. Collects and processes image, video, and/or body component samples related to these studies.
18. Runs physiological and bioenergetics assays of test subjects.
19. Calculates growth, conversion, and assimilation efficiencies of test subjects.
20. Maintains current inventory of all samples (biological, electronic, images, data, etc.) collected during and after experimentation.
21. Develops and maintains Standard Operating Procedures for all system, biological, chemistry, animal welfare, and hygienic methods used in support and operation of studies.
22. Completes applicable permitting applications for acquisition, transport, holding, and disposition of finfish used in studies.
23. Provides direction on tasks to less-experienced Team members.
24. Reports to the Team Leader / Technical Representative.
25. Attends Team and higher level meetings as requested.
26. Communicates with internal and external collaborators regarding methods, samples, and data.
27. Creates, maintains, and grows collaborator networks in support of research studies.
28. Capable and willing to do physical work in indoor/outdoor spaces or semi enclosed spaces and possible on a sea-going vessel.
29. Drives government vehicles (requires valid driver’s license).
30. Capable of lifting 50 pounds
31. Works irregular hours, shift work, and on weekends if experiments require.
32. Follows safety protocols, participates in training, and satisfies requirements of access to and use of federal property.

Qualifications:

General Description:

• B.Sc. in Biology, Marine Science or related fields plus 1 year of working experience directly related to the tasks outlined herein.
• Experience in design of experiments with live aquatic animals.
• Experience in statistical analysis of multivariate data.
• Valid driver’s license
• Capable of lifting 50 pounds

About Lynker

Lynker is a growing, employee owned, small business, specializing in professional, scientific and technical services. Our continually expanding team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to achieve technically sound, cost effective solutions in hydrology/water sciences, geospatial analysis, information technology, resource management, conservation, and management and business process improvement.

We focus on putting the right people in the right place to be effective. And having the right people is critical for success. Our streamlined organization enables and empowers our talented professionals to tackle our customers' scientific and technical priorities – creatively and effectively.

Lynker offers a team-oriented work environment, and the opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions. Lynker's benefits include the following:

• Comprehensive healthcare for the employee at no monthly cost
• Healthcare benefit covers medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision
• Personal Time Off (PTO) Policy plus paid holidays
• Highly competitive compensation plan regularly calibrated against industry and location benchmarks
• 401(k) retirement plan with company-matching
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – we're all company owners!
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Life and accident insurance
• Tuition assistance/Training/Workforce improvement reimbursement per year
• Spot bonuses for exceptional performance
• Annual Employee Recognition Awards with bonuses
• Employee Referral Program
• Free centralized, self-directed Learning Management System to learn at your own pace
• Personalized career growth plans for every employee

Lynker is an E-Verify employer.

Lynker is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local laws.