Fisheries Ecology + CalCOFI Laboratory Specialist
Location: La Jolla, CA + shipboard operations
Clearance: Public Trust Eligible. Must be US citizen or authorized to work in the US.
Travel: Quarterly research cruises and field surveys anticipated
Position Overview:
CASE is seeking fisheries science professionals to support the California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI) Program at NOAA Fisheries’ Southwest Fisheries Science Center.
This position supports shipboard and laboratory operations involving ichthyoplankton ecology, fisheries ecosystem monitoring, biological sample processing, and ecological data collection supporting stock assessments and Integrated Ecosystem Assessments (IEA).
The ideal candidate will work directly alongside NOAA scientists supporting one of the world’s longest-running marine ecosystem monitoring programs.
Key Responsibilities
Sort, identify, count, and measure ichthyoplankton and plankton samples
Process biological samples collected during CalCOFI and fisheries surveys
Support deployment and recovery of oceanographic equipment including CTDs and plankton nets
Conduct shipboard ecological sampling and data collection
Record and manage scientific datasets following NOAA QA/QC protocols
Support literature reviews, data analyses, and manuscript preparation
Serve aboard NOAA research vessels during surveys
Senior personnel may serve as Chief Scientist during research cruises
Qualifications
B.S. degree or higher in oceanography, fisheries science, engineering, data science, physics, or related discipline
Experience identifying fish eggs and larvae using microscopy
Experience with plankton sampling or fisheries survey operations preferred
Familiarity with CalCOFI protocols highly desirable
Ability to work aboard vessels and support physically demanding field operations
Strong data management and scientific communication skills
Why Join CASE?
CASE Consultants International is a Small Business Administration (SBA)-certified Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and HubZone-certified firm based in Asheville, NC. With over 12 years of success, CASE supports federal and state agencies, NGOs, research institutions, and private industry through expert services that advance environmental protection, sustainable development, and ecological resilience.
CASE supports mission-critical NOAA programs nationwide, combining advanced science, field operations, and innovative environmental technologies. Our teams contribute directly to ecosystem monitoring, fisheries sustainability, and climate resilience initiatives across the country.
Our goal is not simply to provide information—but to deliver environmental intelligence that empowers evidence-based decisions and supports long-term ecological and economic sustainability.
At CASE, we hire talented and passionate professionals who are committed to making the planet a safer, healthier, and more hospitable place for all its inhabitants. We create a cultivate, a flexible and collaborative work environment that welcomes a range of perspectives, values creativity, and seeks and delivers work that makes a lasting difference.
Our competitive benefits packages include company-sponsored healthcare (medical, dental, and vision); paid leave; retirement plan; training and professional development; remote and flexible work; performance-based raises and bonuses; and others.
CASE is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer focused on attracting, retaining, and cultivating talented professionals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives and a diverse, inclusive workplace in which our employees thrive. We equitably consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information as per https://www.eeoc.gov/poster.
If you require assistance in completing this application, please contact us at admin@case-ci.com.
