Fisheries Research Biologist

Colorado State University, United States

Updated: over 1 year ago
Location: Fort Collins, COLORADO
Deadline: 15 Aug 2022

Posting Details
Posting Detail Information


Working Title Fisheries Research Biologist
Position Location Fort Collins, CO
Research Professional Position Yes
Posting Number 202201202AP
Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title Research Associate III
Number of Vacancies 1
Work Hours/Week 40
Proposed Annual Salary Range $50,000-$55,000
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University (CSU) is committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Visit CSU’s Human Resources website for detailed benefit plan information for permanent full-time and part-time faculty and administrative professional employees in the following University benefit areas: https://hr.colostate.edu/hr-community-and-supervisors/benefits/benefits-eligibility/ & https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/ .
Desired Start Date 08/29/2022
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 08/15/2022
Description of Work Unit
The CO Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research (CCFWRU) Unit and provides research, education and technical assistance as one of 40 nationwide Cooperative Research Units by virtue of a formal contractual Cooperative Agreement between the US Geological Survey, Colorado State University, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Wildlife Management Institute. The CCFWRU is housed in the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology and the position would work closely with the Unit Leader.
Position Summary
We seek an outstanding individual to evaluate stocking tiger muskellunge (sterile northern pike and muskellunge hybrids) as a means to disadvantage introduced species (northern pike, smallmouth bass, white sucker), while simultaneously diminishing motivation to illicitly transplant non-native predators that negatively impact native fish species and whole ecosystems. This approach compliments native fish protection efforts in the Yampa and Colorado river basins. The RA will perform community level analyses to evaluate stocking of Tiger Muskellunge. The RA will also assess Tiger Muskellunge growth rate and diet with stomach content analysis. The RA will also be responsible for collecting prey items to measure their muscle carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur stable isotope signatures, which can then be used to characterize Tiger Muskellunge trophic position. The RA will also be responsible for data analysis, reporting and submitting research to peer-reviewed publications. The RA will work with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) in collaboration with the Colorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit.
Required Job Qualifications
  • A PhD degree in fisheries, natural resources, ecology, or other related field is required. 
  • Three or more years of supervisory-level fisheries research (or related field) experience are required of applicants.
  • A strong record of peer-reviewed publications related to invasive fish species, fish disease, and fisheries management is required.
  • Applicants should be able to demonstrate a successful history of designing and executing laboratory and field experiments to evaluate sport fish performance and health in the context of water quality and community dynamics. 
  • A record of budget and personnel management and complex aquatic research project completion is required of successful applicants from development through publication/reporting.
  • A history of positive collaborative efforts with state and federal agency and university research personnel is required. 
  • Successful applicants must have an extensive history of presenting scientific findings at public and professional/scientific conferences.
  • Applicants must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license by employment start date and experience launching and operating boats during daylight and night hours.
Preferred Job Qualifications
Strong candidates will demonstrate:
  • Proficiency with fisheries techniques and instruction including: (1) boat and backpack electrofishing, seining, gillnetting, trapping (2) data analysis (e.g., contemporary statistical approaches to fisheries data), R or similar programming language(s), stable isotope analysis and interpretation, fish age and growth assessments with various aging structures, (3) experience mentoring students and others in field, laboratory, and classroom settings.
  • Experience with the design, development, and applications of fish tagging/tracking/monitoring techniques.
  • Experience with bioenergetics and food web modeling techniques to characterize sport fish food web interactions.
  • Experience with collecting/archiving/testing biological samples (e.g., baseline organisms like phytoplankton and periphyton in addition to sport fish material like eye lenses) for stable isotope analyses.
  • Experience collecting and analyzing commonly gathered fisheries data (e.g., diet data and characterization, age and growth, catch per unit effort of various gears, encounter histories, etc.) and subsequent application or communication of findings to improve or enhance fish/fisheries.
  • Experience with interactions between fisheries resources (native and sport fish) and stakeholders with a focus on angler satisfaction.
  • Experience with angler-agency-university interactions and communication, especially in the context of sport fisheries and research findings.
  • Familiarity with Colorado lake and reservoir systems, their management, and responses to myriad management actions that have taken place related to biological control of undesirable and/or non-native species and improvement of sport and native fisheries.
  • Experience working specifically with esocids and/or tiger muskellunge in the field or lab to evaluate diet shifts related to management, changes in prey availability, and/or ontogeny.
  • Experience in the administration and execution of research study components, including Animal Use Protocols, Institutional Bio and Chemical safety protocols, collection permits and other relevant documentation required for animal research.
Diversity Statement
Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Essential Duties


Job Duty Category Project Management
Duty/Responsibility
Assist Principal Investigators with all aspects of designing and executing both laboratory and field experiments to evaluate fish health.  Ensure that all laboratory and field experimental protocols are followed and that the research is conducted safely.  
 
Complete all the necessary paperwork relative to animal experiments, such as Animal Use Protocols, Institutional Biosafety, collecting permits and any other relevant documentation required by CSU or other agencies.  
Percentage Of Time 30%
Job Duty Category Experimental Design and Execution
Duty/Responsibility
Assist principal investigators with the design and execution field stocking experiments. 
 
Duties will include field sampling to determine population and community structure in several Colorado Reservoirs
 
Duties will include collecting and analyzing tissues for stable isotope analysis
 
Duties will include an ability to work in physically challenging field conditions to collect fish population and community data.
 
Duties will include fish sampling, including electrofishing, seining, gillnetting, trapping, and other methods as necessary.  
Percentage Of Time 30%
Job Duty Category Data Analysis and Write Up
Duty/Responsibility
Collate, organize, and analyze fish population and community data. These data may come from a variety of sources, such as physiological chemical analyses, population, and community level evaluations, as well as other potential sources.  The ability to work with a variety of biological data is critical.  
The ability to produce reports and publications that include appropriate analyses and effectively communicate the findings of this research is important to ensure that this research reaches and is well received by the correct audiences.
Effective completion of this duty will result in data that will be used to evaluate the efficacy of stocking of Tiger Muskellunge to control other introduced fish species. 
Percentage Of Time 30%
Job Duty Category Communication
Duty/Responsibility
Assist the principal investigators in orally communicating research results to a wide variety of stakeholders, including agency personnel, academic collaborators, and the public. The communication may include in person presentations as well as online formats.  
Percentage Of Time 10%

Application Details


Special Instructions to Applicants
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications in the announcement to be considered for hire. Apply no later than August 15, 2022 for full consideration.
Upload each of the items below individually as a Word Document (.doc), PDF (.pdf), or Rich Text Format (.rtf). Please note that incomplete applications cannot be considered. Please remove social security numbers and birth dates from application materials. A complete application consists of:
  • Statement of Qualifications (one-page letter addressing each qualification described in the announcement) uploaded in the ‘Cover Letter’ slot.
  • Resume
  • References – please include within your application contact information for 3 professional references including at least one supervisor.


    • References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.
    Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License
    Search Contact Dana Winkelman, [email protected]
    EEO Statement
    Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
    The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, [email protected] .
    The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
    The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
    Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education .
    Background Check Policy Statement
    Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

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