Massachusetts/Maine Fisheries Field Technician
Samantha Nadeau
Position Title: Fisheries Field Technician
Field: Marine biology, highly migratory species
Institution: The University of Maine/Pelagic Fisheries Lab
The Pelagic Fisheries Lab in the School of Marine Sciences at the University of Maine seeks applications for two full-time temporary field technicians to assist with the collection of biological samples from the commercial and recreational Atlantic bluefin tuna fishery in New England. The positions will run from June 5th through December 1st, 2023 with an expected 40hr work week @ $20/hr. Technicians will be paid for a 40hr work week.
The ideal candidates will be located between Saugus, Massachusetts and Hampton, New Hampshire due to the proximity of sampling sites (commercial dealers) to that area. Occasional travel to Portland, Maine will be required to pick up supplies, transport samples, or assist with sampling in Maine if needed. Employees will be working as a team when sampling and will be given a rental truck for work purposes to travel to and from sampling sites to transport samples, and for carrying sampling supplies. Please note a clean driving record will be required to drive the rental vehicle through the University of Maine.
Employees will be responsible for the dissection, collection, and proper handling of appropriate tissues including otoliths, muscle, eyes and when possible, stomachs, gonads, and liver tissues. Candidates are required to have strong organizational and data collection skills as they will be responsible for cataloging each sample and its associated information. Additionally, candidates will be expected to have a flexible work schedule, which may include some evening and weekend hours pending how commercial landings progress through the season and the availability of staff at sampling locations. Technicians will be supplied with appropriate gear including boots, gloves, new Grundén foul weather gear and associated sampling supplies. Technicians will be expected to use reciprocating saws for excising otoliths and the ability to lift 20-50lb bluefin heads around the workspace as needed. Ideal candidates should have a background in fisheries biology or related field. Full training will be provided to both candidates.
Interested applicants can send a cover letter outlining their interests and background for the position and a CV to Sammi Nadeau at samantha...@maine.edu. Application reviews will begin March 24th with interviews to follow. Please feel free to ask questions regarding the position as well.