Sr. Scientist – Marine Biology

Job Title: Senior Scientist – Marine Biology (Great Lakes / Freshwater Exploration)
Job Type: Contract/Full-time

Location: Great Lakes region, US (primarily lab-based; occasional field visits)

Position Summary:
Lead laboratory efforts to identify underexplored therapeutic compounds from Great Lakes ecosystems. Role requires minimal field work (5% on-site sample collection) and intensive laboratory and analytical work (95%) to process, profile, and characterize candidate compounds.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct laboratory extraction, fractionation, and sample processing workflows to prepare extracts for chemical and bioactivity screening.

• Design and run assays and analytical workflows to identify and prioritize novel therapeutic compounds.

• Coordinate metadata, sample transfer, and experimental plans with the Senior Analytical Chemist to enable MS-based profiling and structural follow-up.

• Plan and execute limited field visits (5% of time) for targeted sample collection and to validate sampling protocols.

• Maintain chain-of-custody, documentation, and detailed laboratory records.

• Analyze ecological and chemical metadata to guide compound selection and prioritization.

• Troubleshoot laboratory methods and propose improvements.

• Contribute to grant proposals, internal reports, and scientific publications.

• Represent the program in cross-functional science meetings.
  
  

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. or equivalent in marine biology, freshwater ecology, aquatic biology, or related discipline.

• Minimum +1 years of laboratory experience in natural product extraction, sample processing, or related analytical workflows.

• Demonstrated ability to lead independent lab-driven discovery projects.

• Strong understanding of natural product discovery and downstream analytical requirements.

• Excellent documentation practices and familiarity with sample metadata standards.

• Proven ability to collaborate with analytical chemistry teams.

• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel occasionally for field work.
  
  

Preferred:

• Experience with mass spectrometry sample preparation or prior collaboration with analytical chemists.

• Publications or patents in natural product discovery or aquatic-derived bioactive compounds.

• Boat-handling certification and field logistics experience.

• Experience in grant writing and technical report preparation.
  
  

Growth Opportunity:
This is a foundational hire. The successful candidate will help shape the company’s scientific direction and grow into a leadership role as the organization expands.

To Apply:
please fill out the form here