Oppotunities

Position Title: Aquatic Science Biologist II   

Branch:  Science     

Work Unit: Coastal Ecosystem Science Division/Biological Effects Section         

Project: Guidance on optimal eDNA sampling periods to develop, optimize and interpret monitoring programs.                                                                         

Dates: July 4, 2022 to March 31, 2024

Location: St. Andrews Biological Station, St Andrews NB

Salary: DFO BI-02 annual rates of pay (dollars): $65,662 – $89,411

Preamble:

We are offering an opportunity to work on the interpretation of environmental DNA (eDNA) seasonal data from coastal surveys. With the help of a multidisciplinary team, the candidate will develop guidelines and online tools to delineate the optimal eDNA detection periods of Canadian east and Arctic coast taxa. The candidate will determine temporal eDNA variation from a meta-analysis combining datasets collected since 2015 and will interpret eDNA trends within and between regions. The position requires a literature review to compile biological and physical factors altering eDNA presence and an aptitude and interest in finding patterns in data, necessitating “data wrangling” and statistical modelling. Knowledge related to coastal ecology and metabarcoding will be required to understand the datasets.

Experience required:

•  Biodiversity science or conservation biology
• Experience in authoring or coauthoring scientific papers and reports.
• Experience with Matlab, R, SAS, SQL, S+, VB, C++, ADMB, or other scientific programming software.

Assets:

• Post-graduate degree from a recognized university in a natural, physical or applied science with specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.
• Experience with time-series analysis.
• Experience in developing complex data transformation and/or load procedure using languages such as SQL, PL/SQL, Python, R, MATLAB.
• Experience in multivariate statistical analysis of large ecological or oceanographic data sets.
• Experience in scientific data management, database use or design (relational or non-relational), or query programming for the storage, analysis and access of scientific data types.
• Experience in spatiotemporal analyses of fish distribution data.
• Experience in species distribution/habitat suitability modelling.
• Experience with DFO’s Canadian Science Advisory processes, policies, and publications.
• Experience evaluating scientific results and communicating scientific issues, findings or technical information to non-experts.
• Experience providing data management support and advice to scientists, technical staff, and management.

Conditions of Employment:

•  Valid driver’s license.
• Willingness and ability to work flexible hours and overtime as required.
• Willingness and ability to travel by air, land or by sea.
• Willingness to work aboard various platforms including boats of various sizes.

Personal Suitability

•  Initiative
• Judgement
• Dependability
• Integrity and Respect
• Effective interpersonal skills

If you would like to be considered for position, please provide an updated resume/C.V.,  2 references who can speak to your personal suitability, and a cover letter outlining how you meet the criteria listed above to Lara Cooper (Head Manager: Lara.Cooper@dfo-mpo.gc.ca) and Anaïs Lacoursière-Roussel (Research Scientist: Anais.Lacoursiere@dfo-mpo.gc.ca) by June 21, 2022.