Field Operations and Data Modernization Specialist

Overview

Lynker Corporation is seeking a Field Operations and Data Modernization Specialist to support NOAA Fisheries’ Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC), Fish Ecology Division, by improving long-term survey efficiency, advancing field technology integration, and supporting the transition from at-sea data collection to rapid analytical synthesis. This proposed contract role will support field/ship surveys, digital data collection, eDNA sample coordination, automated data workflows, database usability, and standardized field procedures. Hiring for this position will be contingent on contract award. Lynker will be operating under its FLOAT joint venture, a NOAA ProTech Fisheries 2.0 prime contract holder.*

Long-term surveys that span multiple decades require stable logistical expertise to maintain historical time series while also modernizing to meet current management demands. This role supports NOAA’s field operations and data modernization needs by leading digital data collection, automating ship-to-shore workflows, maintaining sample chain-of-custody, and improving the delivery of management-ready ecological products.

Responsibilities

Duties of the Field Operations and Data Modernization Specialist will include the following:

• Lead field collection of biological and environmental data in estuarine and marine environments.
• Support the transition from traditional analog recording to digital data collection platforms, such as electronic measuring boards and ruggedized tablets.
• Evaluate and implement new field technologies to improve at-sea efficiency.
• Develop rigorous eDNA protocols and oversee field-based collection, preservation, and chain-of-custody of environmental DNA water samples.
• Ensure adherence to at-sea anti-contamination protocols for eDNA sampling.
• Serve as the primary operational liaison to the ’Omics laboratory personnel to ensure field samples are appropriately prepared for bioinformatics processing.
• Design and implement automated data pipelines to streamline transfer of data from ship to shore.
• Develop scripts or workflows that rapidly generate preliminary data products, cruise summaries, and visualization tools immediately following field operations.
• Maintain project databases to improve organization, accessibility, and usability for interdisciplinary team members.
• Ensure historical and newly digitized datasets are standardized and accessible for analysis.
• Direct mobilization and demobilization of project equipment using modern inventory tracking systems.
• Synthesize methodological improvements and field results by authoring technical reports, contributing to journal manuscripts, and presenting workflow modernization strategies at regional and national scientific meetings.
• Develop and implement standardized, reproducible procedures to format, QA/QC, and transition raw at-sea biological observations into analysis-ready scientific formats.
• Produce near-real-time cruise summaries, data visualization tools, and standardized datasets that accelerate management decision making.
• Develop digital Standard Operating Procedures for digital data collection methods, eDNA field sampling protocols, and database structures.

 

Qualifications

The Field Operations and Data Modernization Specialist selected should have the following:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a major in a field of study directly related to the requirements of this contract, including fisheries, ecology, natural sciences, mathematics, statistics, oceanography, or hydrology.
• Advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for two years, MS, or four years, PhD, of experience.
• Three or more years of experience related to the outlined tasks.
• Demonstrated familiarity with the marine and anadromous species and habitats managed by NOAA Fisheries within the West Coast region.
• Quantitative capabilities, including proven experience in statistical and complex data analysis.
• Familiarity with open science concepts.
• Working proficiency in analytical tools and software, such as R, Python, or Geographic Information Systems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven track record of authoring technical reports and contributing to published, peer-reviewed scientific articles.
• Ability to efficiently manage dynamic workloads, maintain high organizational standards, and produce high-quality deliverables within established timelines.
• Ability to work independently in the field and collaboratively within interdisciplinary scientific teams.

Work Environment

Work will be conducted on-site at the Northw