Postdoctoral Marine Research Scientist

Postdoctoral Marine Research Scientist

Cherokee United Services is seeking a Postdoctoral Marine Research Scientist in Port St. Joe, Florida. This position supports the northern Gulf of America coastal and marine wildlife research program through advanced data synthesis, ecological analysis, modeling, scientific writing, and field research.

The Postdoctoral Marine Research Scientist will analyze large and complex datasets related to coastal and marine species, including commercially and recreationally valuable fish, sea turtles, sturgeon, and diamondback terrapins. The role will use advanced quantitative methods to evaluate animal movement, habitat use, occupancy, and ecosystem-level patterns.

Compensation & Benefits:

Compensation is commensurate with experience.

Full-time benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), and other possible benefits as provided. Benefits are subject to change with or without notice.

Postdoctoral Marine Research Scientist Responsibilities Include:

• Synthesize, organize, and manage multiple datasets collected through coastal and marine wildlife research programs.
• Build, maintain, quality-check, and document complex research databases using tools such as R and Microsoft Access.
• Coordinate with staff, research partners, and cooperators to compile, validate, and integrate biological, movement, habitat, and environmental datasets.
• Conduct advanced quantitative and statistical analyses of ecological data using R, Python, and other approved analytical tools.
• Analyze satellite telemetry, acoustic telemetry, mark-recapture, movement, occupancy, and habitat-use data for coastal and marine wildlife species.
• Calculate and interpret animal home ranges, movement patterns, habitat occupancy, and related ecological measures.
• Develop, apply, and interpret ecosystem-level models, including species distribution models, Ecopath models, generalized linear models, and other ecological statistical approaches.
• Evaluate ecological patterns and trends that support management decisions related to coastal and marine habitats, species conservation, fisheries, permitting, and military natural-resource management.
• Summarize analytical findings into accurate, usable products for land managers, decision-makers, permitting agencies, customers, and research partners.
• Lead and support the development of technical reports, peer-reviewed journal manuscripts, data releases, maps, and other scientific products.
• Serve as a lead author or co-author on peer-reviewed manuscripts, as assigned.
• Prepare permit applications and supporting materials before required deadlines to ensure field activities may proceed as planned.
• Follow Fundamental Science Practices (FSP) requirements for scientific products, data releases, review processes, and publication activities.
• Produce clear, complete documentation for databases, data-management processes, analytical methods, code, models, and project results.
• Maintain organized project records, data files, analytical scripts, quality-control records, and other required project documentation.
• Assist with field research activities in coastal and marine environments.
• Capture, handle, tag, and deploy telemetry devices on fish, sea turtles, sturgeon, diamondback terrapins, and other coastal or marine species, as assigned and authorized.
• Work safely in marine environments and under field conditions that may include temperature extremes, strenuous walking, prolonged standing, bending, stooping, sitting, and work on or near water.
• Prepare work products and complete assigned analyses in accordance with task-manager direction, project schedules, and required deadlines.
• Participate in project meetings, technical discussions, partner coordination, workshops, and professional conferences, as authorized.
• Travel as required to support field activities, project tasks, meetings, and approved program needs.
• Maintain current First Aid and CPR certification and complete other approved training as required.
• Follow all applicable standard operating procedures, federal information-security requirements, privacy requirements, property-protection requirements, and facility-security requirements.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Experience, Education, Skills, and Abilities Requested:

• Doctoral degree in ecology or a closely related field required.
• 3 - 5 years of relevant experience required.
• Demonstrated advanced quantitative, statistical, and ecological modeling skills required.
• Experience analyzing wildlife movement data, including satellite telemetry, acoustic telemetry, mark-recapture, or comparable tracking datasets required.
• Experience working with large marine vertebrate datasets required.
• Experience conducting marine or coastal field research required.
• Demonstrated experience with coastal or marine wildlife species, such as fish, sea turtles, sturgeon, terrapins, or similar species preferred.
• Advanced experience using R for database development, data synthesis, statistical analysis, modeling, and visualization required.
• Experience using Python for ecological data analysis, data processing, modeling, or automation preferred.
• Experience developing and managing complex databases using R, Microsoft Access, or comparable database tools required.
• Experience conducting home-range analysis, occupancy assessments, movement analysis, habitat-use analysis, or related wildlife spatial analyses preferred.
• Experience developing or applying ecosystem-level models, including species distribution models, Ecopath models, generalized linear models, or similar ecological modeling approaches required.
• Ability to select, conduct, interpret, and communicate a range of ecological statistical tests and analyses.
• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed scientific outlets required.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and contribute to scientific manuscripts, technical reports, data releases, maps, and other research products.
• Familiarity with Fundamental Science Practices, federal scientific-product review processes, data-release requirements, or comparable federal scientific standards preferred.
• Experience preparing information for land managers, decision-makers, permitting agencies, and other nontechnical audiences preferred.
• Ability to develop accurate, complete, and timely permit applications and supporting documentation.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate technical findings clearly to scientists, land managers, federal partners, permitting agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize multiple assignments, apply sound judgment, and meet deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data quality, reproducible analysis, documentation, and scientific integrity.
• Ability to work primarily in Port St. Joe, Florida. Telework may be available during fieldwork periods and for emergency situations.
• Ability to successfully complete a federal background investigation and maintain required access credentials.

Company Information:

Cherokee Federal is a trusted team of government contracting professionals who rapidly build innovative and advanced solutions across environmental science, immigration, national security and intelligence, cybersecurity, health care, and logistics. Cherokee Federal is owned by Cherokee Nation Businesses, and 100% of profits support Cherokee Nation citizens through health care, education, and job creation. To learn more, visit cherokee-federal.com.

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Cherokee Federal is a military-friendly employer. Veterans and active military members transitioning to civilian careers are encouraged to apply.

• 5 Keywords:
  • Marine Ecology
  • Wildlife Telemetry
  • Ecological Modeling
  • R Programming
  • Coastal Field Research

• 5 Similar Job Titles:
  • Marine Research Scientist
  • Wildlife Biologist
  • Quantitative Ecologist
  • Fisheries Research Scientist
  • Marine Data Scientist

Legal Disclaimer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Many of our job openings require access to government buildings or military installations.