Position Summary:  A permanent position is offered in Conservation Engineering with NOAA Fisheries, Midwater Assessment and Conservation Engineering (MACE) Program, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Seattle. The MACE Program is responsible for conducting acoustic-trawl surveys in the Gulf of Alaska and eastern Bering Sea (Midwater Assessment), developing improved survey tools and methods, undertaking ecosystem process-related studies involving acoustic and/or optical remote sampling tools, and conducting innovative research to evaluate and mitigate bycatch, bycatch mortality, fishing gear-seafloor interactions, and derelict fishing gear (Conservation Engineering). Conservation engineering research is done through understanding fish behavior, fishing gear performance, and modifying fishing gear design and practices. The successful applicant will work with the project leader (Dr. Noëlle Yochum) to identify, conceive, develop, procure, evaluate, and maintain the instrumentation and software required. S/he will collect data both at sea and in the laboratory, apply skills in programming/writing code to participate in analysis of camera imagery and acoustic data, and help to communicate results to our stakeholders and to the scientific community. Experience with the design, fabrication, testing, and use of pressure housings and embedded systems to control underwater camera or acoustic systems, documented in designs, presentations, reports, or peer-reviewed scientific journal publications, is desired. Other attributes of a successful candidate include: innovation, creativity, teamwork, cooperation, knowledge, timeliness, organization, respect, interest in applied research on fisheries sustainability and collaboration with stakeholders, and good communication skills. Contact Dr. Patrick Ressler (patrick.ressler@noaa.gov; 206-526-4785) for more information.

Major Duties:

1)     Identify, conceive, develop, procure, evaluate, and maintain the instrumentation required to conduct research aimed at mitigating fisheries bycatch, bycatch mortality, and/or habitat impacts. Examples of such instrumentation include underwater cameras, sensors, pressure housings, and/or acoustic systems suitable for deployment on fishing gear.

2)     Contribute ideas aimed at decreasing undesirable impacts caused by fishing and participate in the selection of best methods and appropriate technologies (e.g., computer programming, sensors) to conduct the research.

3)     Serve as an analyst by collecting data (e.g., camera imagery, acoustic data) at sea and in a laboratory setting, including performing preparations, quality control, calculations and other data analyses and communicating methods and results through presentations and written documents.

4)     Contribute to research on modification of fishing gear design and use to resolve critical bycatch and habitat questions in Alaska commercial fisheries in collaboration with project leaders, members of different sectors of the fishing industry, and other stakeholders.