Research Biologist

The CFRF is seeking a motivated and qualified individual for a full-time Research Biologist position to start September 2024. Applications are due by August 19, 2024.

A full description of this job opening and application instructions are available HERE. 

Overview of Position: Full‐Time Research Biologist who leads the implementation of CFRF’s trawl-based work.

• Average of 40 hours of work per week
• Salary of $60,000‐$65,000/year and benefits of healthcare, retirement, life insurance, and paid holiday, personal and compensation time.
• One-year contract, beginning in September 2024, with the opportunity to extend depending on performance.
• Expectation of two days per week in the CFRF office, at the docks, or at‐sea with remaining work conducted from a home office. CFRF office is in the Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island building on the East Farm Campus of the University of Rhode Island (Kingston, RI). Surveys leave from various ports in Rhode Island or New Bedford, Massachusetts.
• Expected sea time is 1-8 days per month from a combination of day and seasonal multi-day trips.

Scope of Work: This Research Biologist will lead the implementation of CFRF’s current trawl-based projects and seek to develop new initiatives. This includes taking over as the CFRF lead for two surveys that collect data on the distribution, abundance, and composition of fish and invertebrate species in wind farm development and reference areas.  One survey is a monthly beam trawl survey that started in 2020 and is expected to continue through 2026. The other is an otter trawl survey that started in 2023 and is expected to continue for several years. CFRF supports the otter trawl survey for the lead institution, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. The individual is expected to work with the current CFRF staff in charge of these studies during the first several months of employment to transition duties. The Research Biologist will also lead trawl-related conservation engineering projects at CFRF. CFRF has one active project that works towards longer-standing objectives related to scallop dredging. All work will be conducted in collaboration with local fishing vessels. 

Qualifications: See full position description for minimum and preferred qualifications.