Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS Biological Scientist I - 77907128

Salary:  $20.00/Hour 

Posting Closing Date: 10/12/2026 

Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

OPS Biological Scientist I

$20.00 per hour

3700 54th Ave. South

St. Petersburg, FL
 
 
Position Overview and Responsibilities:

Duties include but are not limited to fielding calls from FWC Law Enforcement, 
other agencies, and the public regarding marine mammals, particularly manatees. 
Verification of mortalities and distressed manatees potentially in need of 
rescue. Recovery of manatee carcasses for the Marine Mammal Pathobiology 
Laboratory, stranding coverage region: coastal counties Escambia to Manatee. 
Serve as member of FWC's manatee necropsy team conducting field and laboratory 
necropsies on manatees, record observations and complete associated necropsy 
reports. Responsible for carcass disposal and cleaning of equipment and 
instruments. Assist in manatee rescue and transport operations to the 
appropriate rehabilitation facility. Participate in manatee rescue and capture 
operations away from designated area as needed. Assist with other research 
projects (temperature probes, photo ID, etc.) as needed. Assist with logging 
images and associated date from live and dead marine mammal stranding events!
 . Assist with office and lab function including, but not limited to inventory 
checks, restocking consumables, and waste management. Assist with repairs and 
maintenance of MMPL laboratory and field equipment including repairs and 
general maintenance of vehicles, boats, trailers, and field equipment.


Link to Full Job Announcement:  
https://jobs.myflorida.com/job/SAINT-PETERSBURG-OPS-Biological-Scientist-I-77907128-FL-33712/1433194400/



-----Original Message-----
From: MARMAM <[email protected]> On Behalf Of 
[email protected]
Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2026 6:50 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: MARMAM Digest, Vol 254, Issue 17

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Today's Topics:

   1. New Publication: Shifting responses of goose-beaked whales
      (Ziphius cavirostris) to long-standing naval sonar exposure opens
      new perspectives for research and mitigation (Alba
      Solsona-Berga)) (Alba Solsona Berga)
   2. Post-doc position recruitment: Bioenergetics and ecology of
      gray whales (Torres, Leigh G)
   3. Hiring a Bycatch Analyst (Amy Whitt)
   4. [In Memoriam] Passing of Wojciech (Wojtek) Bachara ? Beaked
      Whale Researcher (Krzysiek Lange)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 2026 10:24:56 -0700
From: Alba Solsona Berga <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Subject: [MARMAM] New Publication: Shifting responses of goose-beaked
        whales (Ziphius cavirostris) to long-standing naval sonar exposure
        opens new perspectives for research and mitigation (Alba
        Solsona-Berga))
Message-ID:
        <CAL1x7eU_j6LAk=fmgb60wxip5uhtkwq9tuzjqjp-32yah2+...@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Dear MARMAM community,

My co-authors and I are pleased to share our recent publication "Shifting 
responses of goose-beaked whales (*Ziphius cavirostris*) to long-standing naval 
sonar exposure opens new perspectives for research and mitigation" in 
Scientific Reports.

Solsona-Berga A, Trickey JS, Paxton CGM, ?irovi? A, Oedekoven CS, Roch MA, 
Thomas L, Wiggins SM, Hildebrand JA, Baumann-Pickering S. Shifting responses of 
goose-beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) to long-standing naval sonar exposure 
opens new perspectives for research and mitigation.
Sci Rep 16, 29204 (2026).
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-59072-y

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-59072-y?utm_source=rct_congratemailt&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=oa_20260921&utm_content=10.1038/s41598-026-59072-y#citeas


Abstract: Predicting and mitigating the impacts of chronic noise on marine 
mammals is limited by sparse data on repeated disturbance. Naval sonar disrupts 
species behavior with lethal and sublethal risks, yet mitigation relies on 
short-term studies. We analyzed a decade of passive acoustic observational data 
to assess behavioral changes of goose-beaked whales (*Ziphius
cavirostris*) at locations near and far from long-standing sonar operations. 
Whales remained present in impacted areas but exhibited patterns consistent 
with avoidance observed in exposure experiments.
Interpreting these as responses, a 50% disturbance probability occurred at
122?132 dBpp re 1 ?Pa, below regulatory thresholds. With median 1.0?1.2 day 
intervals between exercises and 132?134 dBpp re 1 ?Pa daily received levels, 
disturbances imposed near-daily energetic and foraging costs.
Differences in responses between areas with similar exposure suggest that 
ecological factors such as habitat quality may promote habitat persistence 
despite moderate disturbance. Over a decade, whales became more likely to be 
detected during shorter exercises and after exposure while maintaining 
sensitivity to moderate-to-high exposure levels. This suggests either reduced 
displacement responses over time or suitable prey conditions not found 
elsewhere as a result of changes in habitat conditions. These results suggest 
mitigation should prioritize sonar-free periods and limit exercise duration.

Warmly,

Alba
*___________________________*
Alba Solsona Berga (she/her/hers)
Associate Project Scientist
Scripps Institution of Oceanography // UC San Diego
(858) 534-8036 // [email protected] // 
*https://asolsonaberga.scrippsprofiles.ucsd.edu/
<https://asolsonaberga.scrippsprofiles.ucsd.edu/>*
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Message: 2
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 2026 15:56:48 +0000
From: "Torres, Leigh G" <[email protected]>
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Subject: [MARMAM] Post-doc position recruitment: Bioenergetics and
        ecology of gray whales
Message-ID:
        
<ds6p222mb521431d73f75e02bcc38c85a3785...@ds6p222mb521431.namp222.prod.outlook.com>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hello MARMAM community,

We are recruiting a postdoctoral scholar to join our research team in the GEMM 
Lab at the Marine Mammal Institute, Oregon State University. The position will 
focus on the bioenergetics and ecology of gray whales. Please see details 
below, spread the word, and reach out with any questions. Thank you!

Cheers,
Leigh

Postdoctoral Scholar Position: Bioenergetics and ecology of gray whales Name of 
College/Department/School/Division: Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna 
(GEMM) Lab, Marine Mammal Institute, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and 
Conservation Science, College of Agricultural Sciences
Location: Oregon State University, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport, 
Oregon Open and close dates: Open: August 1, 2026.  Close: Nov 1, 2026 Position 
start date: May 1, 2027

Summary: (1.0 FTE; 12-months per year) The GEMM Lab has led a collaborative 
study of gray whale ecology and physiology for over 12 years through the Gray 
whale Response to Ambient Noise Informed by Technology and Ecology (GRANITE: 
https://mmi.oregonstate.edu/gemm-lab/granite-gray-whale-response-ambient-noise-informed-technology-ecology)
 project. GRANITE aims to understand the effects of stressors on individual 
whales and population vital rates through collection of multidisciplinary data 
and the Population Consequences of Multiple Stressors (PCoMS) framework. 
Through support from the Office of Naval Research Marine Biology program, we 
are entering phase 2 of this project, which focuses on deployment of 
multisensor suction cup tags to collect simultaneous data on the whale's 
behavior and acoustic and visual environment. We seek a motivated and 
collaborative post doc to join our team, who brings skills in analysis of 
accelerometry data, bioenergetics, and acoustics. The positi!
 on provides a competitive stipend and health insurance for up to three years, 
subject to satisfactory performance 
(https://gradschool.oregonstate.edu/postdocs).

Required Qualifications: (1) PhD in a life science field, completed by start of 
position and within 3 years of start date. (2) Demonstrated productivity, 
capacity for independent and collaborative research, and intellectual 
creativity. (3) Strong background in wildlife bioenergetics and experience 
working with accelerometry data. (4) Skilled in data management, analysis, and 
visualization. (5) Ability to program in R. (6) Eligible for postdoctoral 
scholar support at OSU (see recruitment 
webpage<https://gradschool.oregonstate.edu/postdocs/appointment-and-recruitment>).

Preferred Qualifications: (1) Research experience in marine ecology, including 
behavioral and spatial ecology, wildlife management, and marine mammal biology. 
(2) Research experience working with acoustic data. (3) Excellent oral and 
written communication skills.  (4) Field experience working in a marine 
environment, including on a small vessel. (5) Strong track record of 
collaboration and ability to work within an interdisciplinary team. (6) 
Experience working with CATS<https://cats.is/> tags or Dtags.

Application Process: Please prepare a single PDF that includes a 1-page cover 
letter, a full CV, and names and contact information for three references 
(include your surname and first initial in the file name). Applications and 
inquiries may be sent by email with subject line "PD scholar" to: Leigh Torres, 
Oregon State University, 
[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>


Leigh Torres, Ph.D.
Endowed Trophic Ecology Professor in the Marine Mammal Institute Professor, 
Oregon State University The Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Lab (GEMM 
Lab) Oregon Sea Grant; Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation 
Sciences Hatfield Marine Science Center, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive Newport, 
OR 97365, U.S.A 541-867-0895; 
[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>
Website<https://mmi.oregonstate.edu/gemm-lab>  
Blog<http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/gemmlab/>  
Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/gemm_lab/>

Recent publications:
Pirotta, E., L. New, A. Fernandez Aj?, K.C. Bierlich, C.N. Bird, C.L. Buck, L. 
Hildebrand, K.E. Hunt, J. Calambokidis, and L.G. Torres, Body size, nutritional 
state and endocrine state are associated with calving probability in a 
long-lived marine species. Journal of Animal Ecology, 2025. 00: p. 1-13. 
https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.70068
Hildebrand, L., L. New, E. Pirotta, J.D. Stewart, I. Hildebrand, C. Newell, 
K.C. Bierlich, C.N. Bird, A. Fernandez Aj?, D. Turek, and L.G. Torres, Bayesian 
Estimation of Individual Gray Whale Space Use Reveals Differential Exposure to 
Stressors. Ecology and Evolution, 2025. 15(5): p. e71330. 
https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71330
Derville, S., J. Calambokidis, D. Palacios, J. Tackaberry, C. Hayslip, K. 
Flynn, L. New, C. Baker, D. Steel, K. Martien, J. Moore, M. Lauf, L. Wickman, 
A. Wall, C. Newell, and L. Torres, Rates of entanglement inferred from scarring 
prevalence of humpback whales photographed in US Oregon waters. Endangered 
Species Research, 2025. 57: p. 253-271. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01416

[cid:[email protected]][cid:[email protected]]



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------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 2026 18:05:40 -0500
From: Amy Whitt <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Subject: [MARMAM] Hiring a Bycatch Analyst
Message-ID:
        <cacu1mke7hwysd0uq8men-kez8vs_snu-qktz2hl49pijzet...@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Azura Consulting LLC is seeking a *Bycatch Analyst* to support the NOAA 
Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) Protected Species Division 
(PSD).

The position supports protected species research and management through the 
analysis of fisheries bycatch data, including preparing annual bycatch 
estimates for marine mammals, conducting sea turtle and other protected species 
bycatch analyses, auditing fisheries data, and supporting observer allocation 
and management needs.

The analyst will work extensively with statistical analyses and existing R 
codebases and will prepare technical documentation and present findings to 
scientific and management audiences.

*Position:* Bycatch Analyst
*Work Schedule:* Full time (40 hours per week, Monday through Friday)
*Location: *NEFSC lab in Woods Hole, Massachusetts or remotely within the U.S.
*Link to Full Job Announcement:*
https://jobs.gusto.com/postings/azura-consulting-llc-bycatch-analyst-e4e1abbd-d218-4ee6-a002-41d2b4c22e09
*Application Deadline:* Priority consideration will be given to applications 
received by October 7, 2026.

Azura Consulting LLC (Azura) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not 
discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable 
federal or state law. We strongly encourage all qualified persons to apply for 
this position.

Azura is a woman-owned small business headquartered in the Dallas/Fort Worth 
area. We offer 'big city' resources with 'small town' customer service. We 
specialize in protected species research, conservation, and management. Please 
see our website for more information: azuraco.com

--
*Amy D. Whitt, M.E.M.*
CEO, Senior Scientist

Azura Consulting LLC
www.azuraco.com
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Message: 4
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 2026 19:11:18 +0200
From: Krzysiek Lange <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Subject: [MARMAM] [In Memoriam] Passing of Wojciech (Wojtek) Bachara ?
        Beaked Whale Researcher
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

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