Wildlife Biologist I (Aquatics)

Job Details

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) Aquatic Section is seeking a highly motivated, well-educated Aquatic Research Biologist I to join our team. This role supports applied research projects statewide, working both independently and collaboratively within the fish health and research teams.

Our scientists are industry leaders in problem-solving and program efficiency. In this role, you will advise on all aspects of aquatic science, conduct literature reviews, evaluate novel methods and equipment, and rapidly deploy solutions in the field. We pride ourselves on innovation—trying what hasn't been tried and continuously learning to support statewide aquatics priorities.

Key Responsibilities

To be successful in this role, candidates must demonstrate proficiency or experience in the following technical areas:
 

• Laboratory and Molecular Biology: Hands-on experience with cell culture, DNA extraction, and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) workflows.
• Research and Design: Solid understanding of experimental design and conducting comprehensive literature reviews.
• Field and Aquaculture Operations: Experience with field collections, parasite identification, and aquaculture design (specifically incubation and rearing habitats).
• Communication: Strong scientific writing skills with the ability to summarize complex data.
   

Duties

This position will offer a wide variety of experiences in the natural resource field that include working with Utah Division of Wildlife Resources fisheries research, fish health, native species, and aquatic invasive species programs. The selected candidate will carry out field collections, laboratory-based projects, literature reviews, and a variety of consultation or training tasks. As scientists working for the State of Utah, we are commonly tasked with jobs we have never done before. A successful candidate will be able to adapt, learn, and implement methods they were previously unfamiliar with. Duties will be variable and may include but are not limited to:
 

• Fisheries Research: Fish and invertebrate surveys using diverse methods (angling, backpack and boat electrofishing, gill nets, plankton tows, schindler trap, etc.), limnology and habitat surveys, data entry and QA/QC, otolith preparation and aging, stable isotope preparation, eDNA sampling & collaboration, literature review, and writing reports & peer reviewed publications. Successful applicants will take on tasks they have never done before. Learning on the job is expected.
• Fish Health responsibilities: Travel to various sites around the State to assist with fish health inspections, perform necropsies, prepare specimens for laboratory analysis, analyze laboratory samples, collect tissue, and transport biological samples, maintain quality control parameters, prepare media and reagents, prepare and stain slides and work with potentially hazardous materials.
• Native Species responsibilities: Develop and carry out literature reviews and participate in research projects associated with native species and populations. Fish health inspections on native species in hatcheries and field sites. Fabricate incubation and rearing systems and carry out daily fish rearing and propagation tasks.
   

Qualifications

Minimum/Required Qualifications

This includes knowledge, skills and abilities required upon entry into the position:
 

• A Bachelor’s or higher degree in Natural Resources, Fish Health, Fisheries Biology, Microbiology, Wildlife Sciences, biological sciences or a directly related field of study with general coursework in microbiology, molecular biology, chemistry, zoology, and fisheries management, or directly related work experience equivalent.
• Knowledge of general microbiological methods.
• Computer proficiency, experience using MS Word, Excel, and R.
• Conduct applied and basic research.
• Ability to perform field work and collect samples for various purposes.
• Strong communication and writing skills.
• Perform field and laboratory experiments as well as extension work to address statewide needs and objectives.
• Work both independently and as a team participant to address statewide research requirements.
• Communicate with AAHRC and regional personnel to identify program needs, develop projects, design experiments, analyze and interpret data, formulate technical reports, and provide oral presentations during UDWR and other professional meetings.
• Participate as an American Fisheries Society member.
• Arrange and participate in agency or professional meetings.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will closely match the following academic and professional benchmarks:
 

• Education: A Master of Science (MS) in Biology, Zoology, Natural Resources, or a closely related field; or directly related work experience equivalent.
• Academic Research: Completion of a graduate thesis project that includes a full, independent research component.
• Proven Track Record: Direct experience managing research projects, publishing peer- reviewed scientific articles, and culturing native aquatic species for conservation purposes.

Contact Information

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