OPS Assistant Research Scientist - 77907455

Requisition No: 861804 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS Assistant Research Scientist - 77907455

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77907455 

Salary:  $28 per hour 

Posting Closing Date: 10/16/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI)

Ecosystem Assessment and Restoration Section

Assistant Research Scientist – OPS Position

$28 per hour

100 8th Ave S

Saint Petersburg, FL

 FWRI – Harmful Algal Blooms

Assistant Research Scientist - OPS 77907455

Saint Petersburg, Florida - $28 per hour

Our organization:

The FWC envisions a Florida where fish and wildlife are abundant and thriving in healthy and connected natural landscapes with vital working lands and waterways; where natural resources are valued and safely enjoyed by all; and wherein natural systems support vibrant human communities and a strong economy.

Our Mission: Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.

Every organization has an identity that is forged not only by what it does, but by how it conducts itself.  The values embedded in our mission and expressed in the vision of the FWC are to make quality decisions by being dynamic, science-informed, efficient, ethical, collaborative and committed to the vitality of the state and its environment.

The Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) group of Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) in St. Petersburg, FL, invites applications for a full-time Other Personnel Service (OPS) Assistant Research Scientist to provide bioinformatic support to ongoing research. The position is within the Molecular Ecology laboratory.

Minimum Qualifications:
7 years professional experience in a closely-related biological field or laboratory program is required. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the natural sciences or mathematics and three years of professional experience in one of the natural sciences or mathematics; or a master’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the natural sciences or mathematics and two years of professional experience as described above; or a doctorate from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the natural sciences or mathematics can substitute for the required experience.

 
Preferred Qualifications: 

Preference may be given to candidates with a degree in data science, molecular biology, or genetics, experience performing bioinformatic analyses or working in a molecular biology or genetics laboratory, and/or expertise with phytoplankton and harmful algae, including culturing.

Requirements:

Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory Level 1 background check at no cost to the candidate. 

The application package must include a cover letter. 

Responses to qualifying questions should be verifiable by skills and/or experience stated on the profile application/resume.  Information should be provided regarding any gaps in employment.

Office hours are from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. Not eligible for Telework.

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

Grant funding related to three different projects using environmental DNA will support this position: 1) guiding restoration in Florida Bay by examining cyanobacteria and sponge interactions, 2) advancing HAB monitoring using 18S and 16S barcoding from subtropical to polar systems, and 3) applying detection strategies for target groups of phytoplankton as part of event response. 

The employee will be responsible for activities in support of ongoing monitoring and research for the Harmful Algal Blooms subsection at FWC/FWRI. Specific duties include:

Working as part of a dynamic and collaborative team to develop, validate, and implement analytical workflows to detect and quantify harmful phytoplankton taxa, their communities, and/or their physiological responses to environmental stimuli.

Maintain robust documentation of workflows and codes

Training staff on analytical and computational workflows and pipelines

Coordinating and executing genetic analyses associated with DNA sequencing by high throughput, Sanger, or Nanopore platforms for sequence variation by generating, synthesizing, and analyzing data using bioinformatics and appropriate statistics and troubleshooting techniques

Develop and maintain analysis tools and applications tailored to biological datasets

Managing large, complex datasets (involving data entry, QA/QC, and working with other staff to ensure continuity) and conducting ecological and/or phylogenetic analysis

Participating in oceanic field sampling and routine sample analyses

Maintaining phytoplankton stock cultures and preparation and sampling of cultures for experiments

Assisting with and/or leading preparation of technical reports, scientific manuscripts, and material for grant submissions and reports.

Interacting with IT and procurement staff as needed to maintain analytical infrastructure

Contributing to communication activities including presenting results to end-users of methods and associated data, and other outreach as requested.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
A strong working knowledge of: programming and data science principles; generation and analysis of genetic data associated with fragment length polymorphisms and sequence markers (e.g. 16S, 18S, COI, physiology markers) for taxonomic identification, enumeration, phylogenetics, and ecological inference; genetic sequencing platforms (e.g. Sanger, short read, Nanopore); biological sequence databases and associated tools (e.g., NCBI BLAST); experimental design; laboratory techniques; culturing phytoplankton; bioinformatic workflows, associated statistics, and visualization tools (e.g., QIIME2, scripting languages such as Python, R); Microsoft Office Suite

Skills to: Construct analytical workflows for DNA fragment and sequence data; determine the distribution and abundance of microbial taxa with a focus on harmful phytoplankton; identify and adapt statistical approaches to address specific differential hypotheses; develop basic training materials and train staff on analysis pipelines; maintain detailed records; prepare technical reports and scientific manuscripts

Ability to: understand next-generation sequencing approaches and outputs; synthesize interdisciplinary concepts; work on multiple projects at once; manage time effectively; work independently and as part of a team, establishing and maintaining relationships across team members; utilize problem-solving techniques; provide regular updates on progress and setbacks; understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:
*Eligible OPS positions and qualifying applicants may enjoy top-tier benefits offerings including comprehensive health coverage to meet the needs of you and your family while maintaining low deductibles and low monthly out-of-pocket contributions.

Health Premiums $25.00- Single / $90.00- Family Biweekly

Low Cost $25,000 Life Insurance

OPS FICA Alternative Retirement Plan

On the Job Trainings

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

For a more complete list of benefits, visit https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.