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Sr. Analyst (Protected Species)
A.I.S. Inc.
IT
Woods Hole, Falmouth, MA, USA
Posted on Jun 11, 2025
A.I.S., Inc. (AIS) is a national scientific services firm supporting maritime activities requiring certification of compliance with environmental regulations as well as collecting data for use by Federal, State, Municipal, and other government agencies along the US coastline.
AIS is looking for a Sr. Analyst (Protected Species) to lead efforts to estimate abundance of protected species and quantify distribution trends. This position is part of a contract opportunity we are currently bidding on.
Primary Function:
NOAA Fisheries require support to assist in collecting and analyzing protected species. These detailed assessments of species distributions and abundances are used to understand broad scale movements and behaviors crucial to accomplishing these mandates. The goal is to have information on seasonal and inter-annual variability in distribution, ecology, and to estimate potential mortality or other impacts on protected species. This employee will contribute to these statutory requirements through the activities below.
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Lead efforts to estimate abundance of protected species and quantify distribution trends. This includes developing spatially and temporally explicit density and abundance models and maps that incorporate environmental factors via models such as Generalized Additive Models and Bayesian Hierarchical Models. Abundance estimates must also include perception and availability bias.
- Develop and execute methods to address uncertainties in current analyses, such as unspecified species identification of groups of animals, species specific dive time corrections, incorporate passive acoustic data into visual abundance estimates, and compare other sampling techniques, including high-definition photogrammetry line transect aerial surveys
- Oversee field operations, prepare for and de-stage field projects as needed.
- Build tools using R, Rshiny, and other programming interfaces
- Quantify abundance, distribution, and bycatch of protected species and their physical/biological ecosystems, and estimate bycatch of protected species via observer and fishery data
- Assist with management of protected species research, including managing project organization, workflow, goals, and reporting.
- Use tools such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) tools, and other electronic monitoring data tools to detect, process, and describe occurrence of bycatch; and to use these tools to develop scientific algorithms that identify targeted marine animals in digital images while also documenting false negative and false negative biases
- Assess and define the impacts of climate change and anthropogenic activities (i.e. shipping, fishing, bycatch, energy development) on protected species, and the effects of potential mitigation measures to lessen these impacts
- Present and present results at relevant conferences and other venues, and contribute to cruise reports, permit applications, manuscripts, and presentations
Compensation: Candidates will be paid an hourly rate to be negotiated, and total compensation will vary depending on candidates’ depth of experience. This is a full–time position. AIS benefits package includes health and dental insurance, vacation, sick and holiday benefits.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Doctorate degree, or equivalent in fisheries, quantitative ecology, or similar.
- At least five (5) years extensive experience or education working with and knowledge of at least one of the following:
- Distance Sampling methods
- Statistical models (i.e. general additive models)
- Bayesian hierarchical models
- Species distribution models
- Computer programming experience with creating simulated survey data; this includes (but is not limited to) population dynamics, exploration of bias and uncertainty, management strategy evaluation, and predictions over time.
- Processing remote sensing data, such as echosounder and satellite data
- Technical experience with open source artificial or machine learning techniques
- Extensive experience with Oracle databases and SQL programming language
- Demonstrated proficiency in web design
- Bycatch estimation using observer and fisheries data
- Demonstrated proficiency with at least one of the following skill sets:
- Excellent programming skills in at least one of the following platforms of statistical software R, Splus, SAS, AD Model Builder, Template Model Builder, Python, or C++.
- Technical skills working with open-source AI/ML data training processes
- Processing and manipulating large datasets.
- Experience and understanding of advanced statistical methods.
- Excellent communication skills via written and visual materials which target a variety of audiences (technical, scientific, and general public)
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Strong time management skills and attention to detail.
- Adaptability to quickly change priorities and timelines.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Doctorate degree, or equivalent, and extensive additional experience in fisheries, quantitative ecology, or similar.
- More than fourteen (14) years extensive experience or education working with and knowledge of at least two of the above software skills
- Demonstrated expert proficiency with at least two of the statistical software listed above.
Travel:
- Domestic and international travel may be required as follows: attendance at project-related workshops and conferences, in addition to working group meetings.
- Anticipated three (3) travel events per year, excluding field work.
Location:
- 166 Water St, Woods Hole, Ma, 02543
Contact:
If you would like to apply for this exciting new opening, please click the following link BambooHR to submit the required information:
- Resume
- Cover letter detailing applicable experience.
- 3 professional references (name, email address and phone number)
All documents must be submitted for your application to be considered. If you have any questions pertaining to this opening, please feel free to contact the Talent Acquisition Team at Talent Team or 508-990-9054.
An Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of A.I.S. to recruit, hire, train, promote, transfer and compensate our employees and provide all other conditions of employment including Company sponsored events without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, lawful alien status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law.
Must be able to work in the U.S. • VEVRAA Federal Contractor • Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals • Equal Opportunity Employer