Job opening for a new contract position as a research assistant/specialist to work with our Marine Spatial Ecology Division Habitat Mapping Team to continue developing methods for marine ecosystem assessments using acoustics and optical systems. https://jobs-css.icims.com/jobs/1896/acoustics-research-assistant/job
For specifics on research projects, please contact chris.taylor@noaa.gov.
For details on the position and employer, please visit the website above.
CSS is seeking an Acoustics Research Assistant for full-time employment to support NOAA’s Laboratory, National Center for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) in Beaufort, NC. The primary focus area for this position will be to work with NCCOS and partners to develop ecosystem assessments and geospatial data products from surveys and experiments conducted using underwater acoustic and optical systems. The output and products will contribute to decision support tools for managing special places like marine sanctuaries and marine reserves as well as understanding the distribution of living marine resources in the context of ecosystem management and ocean planning.
Core Responsibilities:
- Use established and novel approaches to conduct ecological assessments and experiments using underwater acoustic (scientific fishery echosounders and sonars) and optical systems (stationary, towed or ROV deployed video and stereo video systems).
- Participate and lead acquisition and analysis of hydroacoustic and optical data from surveys conducted from small research vessels to large research ships in coral and rocky reef ecosystems.
- Take a leadership role in data organization and management to ensure that data products and metadata are delivered according to project timelines.
- Substantially contribute to data management, statistical analysis, and development of maps and other spatial data visual tools, co-lead writing and preparation of project presentations, reports, peer-reviewed publications, and outreach to communicate the outcomes in professional and public venues.
- Travel for field work and extended research cruises is expected.
Qualifications
- M.S. degree in ecology, biology or oceanography; or B.S. in ecology, marine science or engineering, and 2 or more years of demonstrated relevant work experience.
- Demonstrated experience in software packages that handle spatial data including: ESRI ArcGIS (Pro, Online, &/or Dashboard), and ability to write reproducible code for data handling and statistical analysis in Python or R statistical software packages.
- Experience with using hydroacoustic and underwater video/optical systems and analysis software (e.g., Echoview, SeaGIS) desired
- The successful candidate will be organized, detail-oriented, able to multi-task, manage time to achieve project objectives to meet deadlines, and work both independently and collaboratively as part of a large team located across a wide geographic area.
- Processing of a National Agency Check and fingerprinting will be required.
- Must be available to start on or about July 1, 2018.