Positions at Cascadia

Cascadia Research is a small, tax-exempt, non-profit organization that specializes in research on marine mammals. We do not usually offer employment openings in the traditional sense; all employees work on a project-by-project basis depending on contracts we have received and the type of expertise needed. 

Current open positions with Cascadia.

1) Graduate Student Internships: Cascadia Research sponsors volunteers and students who work with us for one or two academic quarters.  These internships include participation in a variety of research projects for a total of 20-40 hours per week. Click here for information on internship availability and directions for how to apply.

2) Contract Employment: We occasionally need to hire researchers with specific expertise to work for a defined period on a project. We have an active pool of people that we usually hire from for these types of positions. We also keep on file résumés sent to us and review these should we be unable to fill a particular need with existing staff. Please email your resume or CV to Kiirsten Flynn (kflynn@CascadiaResearch.org) if you would like us to keep you on file should a position open that matches your qualifications (you may not get a reply).

3) Affiliated Researchers: Experienced independent researchers who have their own ideas for projects and funding, but are seeking a qualified organization to affiliate with, occasionally contact us. Cascadia seeks to conduct high quality scientific research for government agencies or other non-profit groups that provide information needed for protection of wildlife.  Researchers seeking to affiliate with us should contact John Calambokidis (Calambokidis@CascadiaResearch.org) for consideration of whether their project and affiliation is consistent with our goals.

Hiring practices and diversity:

Cascadia is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Cascadia Research is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. We see the long-standing injustices imposed on Black people, Indigenous people and other People of Color and are working in ways that we can learn about and promote anti-racist policies and practices that will hopefully start to repair the damages that these communities have suffered. We intend to reduce the barriers to all people in hopes of making our research accessible to as many people as possible through more focused programming and collaborations and helping to make this career seen as a viable option to all. We welcome individuals of all backgrounds, including but not limited to ethnicity, race, religion, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, socioeconomic status, experience, and training to work with us. We strive to provide equal opportunities and to create an environment where all staff feel truly valued, are respected and supported by creating a culture that ensures all Cascadia community members feel a common sense of belonging within the organization. Cascadia’s home office is located on the second floor of a historical building in downtown Olympia with only stair access to the offices but we encourage those with physical disabilities to apply and we will find ways to make this work.

For general advice on pursuing a career in marine mammal science, click here.