Analytical Chemist

Azura is looking for an experienced analytical chemist to support the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC). This position is dependent on Azura being awarded a contract for the project “Non-invasive Diet Characterization of Southern Resident Killer Whales”. The objective of this project is to determine recent and long-term feeding habits of Southern Resident killer whales.

Work is anticipated to be conducted full-time for a one-year period. Work will be conducted at the NWFSC in Seattle, Washington during the normal operating hours of the facility. Anticipated tasks are listed below.

• Conduct bulk and compound specific stable isotope analyses of killer whale and prey tissues to develop mathematical relationships of isotopic fractionation, quantify turnover time, and characterize recent and long-term patterns of diet composition and trophic position of Southern Resident killer whales
• Prepare, analyze, and archive tissue samples
• Process tissues and standards for isotope analysis and ensure proper storage of samples
• Maintain and organize lab equipment
• Maintain safe chemical hygiene practices and adhere to laboratory safe practices

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. degree in analytical chemistry or closely related field of study from an accredited college or university
• A minimum of 2 years of analytical chemistry experience
• Expertise with stable isotope analysis, especially compound specific stable isotope analysis
• Expertise in one or more of the following areas: isotope-ratio mass spectrometry, coding in R, application of mixing models
• Demonstrated experience working with large data sets
• A documented product such as authorship of a peer-reviewed publication and/or report
• Demonstrated ability to give public presentations (e.g., oral and/or poster presentations at conferences)

Preferred Qualifications

• At least 1 year of experience using isotope-ratio mass spectrometry for stable isotope analyses
• At least 1 year of experience using R statistical software 

In compliance with federal law, all applicants must be able to prove that they are legally able to work in the United States and pass a security/background check.

Azura Consulting LLC 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.

If you are interested in this position and have all of the required qualifications listed above, please send your resume and cover letter to anna@azuraco.com. In your resume, please describe how you meet all of the required qualifications and list contact information for three references who can attest to your previous work experience. In your cover letter, please describe why you would be a good fit for this position.

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Azura Consulting LLC is an economically disadvantaged woman-owned small business specializing in marine mammal conservation, management, and research.