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Research Specialist, Ocean Biogeochemical Sensing
Monterey Bay Aquariam Research Institute
Other Engineering
Posted on Nov 7, 2024
Founded in 1987 by the late David Packard, MBARI is a nonprofit oceanographic research center advancing marine science and engineering to understand our changing ocean. Located in Moss Landing, California, the heart of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, MBARI offers ready access to the open ocean and deep sea. Ongoing research programs range across autonomous and remotely operated underwater vehicle systems, control technologies, ocean physics, chemistry, geology, biology, ocean instrumentation, and information management. MBARI hosts approximately 200 employees, with shore facilities that include state-of-the-art science and engineering laboratories, manufacturing and electrical fabrication shops, and dock facilities for MBARI vessels.
MBARI has a position open for a Research Specialist or Research Technician to join the Ocean Biogeochemical Sensing (OBS) Team. The ocean is facing unprecedented changes due to human activity: temperatures are rising, ocean acidity is increasing, oxygen levels are declining, and nutrient distributions are changing. These changes could have cascading effects through the ocean ecosystem, and impact society. However, the ocean is chronically under sampled, and we are not able to effectively quantify these changes through traditional ship-board measurements. Recent developments in biogeochemical sensors combined with autonomous platforms provide a potential solution to this under sampling problem.
The main mission of the OBS team is to advance autonomous sensing technology, and help establish a sustained global network of biogeochemical profiling floats and gliders. Such an observing system will allow measurements of key biogeochemical parameters from the open ocean to the coast. This position will lead the sensor production and calibration for underwater gliders, as well as development of new biogeochemical sensors. The selected candidate will report to Yui Takeshita, and work closely with members in the OBS team and the Chemical Sensor lab.
Primary responsibilities:
• Lead development of novel biogeochemical sensors, such as for pH, nitrate, and total alkalinity
• Lead production and calibration of biogeochemical sensors for underwater gliders and shallow water moorings
• Aid underwater glider preparation, deployment, and recovery as needed
• Assess sensor performance in the field
• Present results at scientific conferences
• Hires at the research specialist level are expected to publish in peer reviewed journals
Required qualifications:
• Master’s degree or higher in Oceanography, Chemistry, Engineering, or another relevant field
• Experience and interest in developing, or working with custom sensors and/or instrumentation
• Experience designing and setting up laboratory experiments
• Strong programming skills for analyzing and visualizing laboratory and oceanographic data, preferably in Matlab
• Highly self-motivated, and strong track record of learning new skills
• Excellent communication skills, and ability to work effectively and professionally in diverse, multi-disciplinary teams across multiple institutions
• Highly organized, and capable of working independently on multiple projects simultaneously
• Experience and desire to publish in scientific journals
• Ability to safely lift 25lbs of instrumentation
Desired qualifications:
• Fundamental knowledge of oceanography
• Background in marine carbon dioxide chemistry and pH sensors
• Analytical chemistry experience and familiarity with common laboratory equipment
• Programming in Labview or similar program
• Experience presenting technical information to a range of audiences
• Basic familiarity with electronics (e.g. Arduinos)
• Ability and willingness to go to sea for specified periods, ranging from half day trips to deploy and recover instrumentation, or up to a week-long research cruise