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Research Technician - Seafloor Processes Lab
Monterey Bay Aquariam Research Institute
Posted on Jun 20, 2025
Founded in 1987 by the late David Packard, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (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 invites applications for a position within the Seafloor Processes Lab: Research Technician or Research Specialist. This role offers an opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge marine science and technology development, supporting MBARI’s mission to advance ocean science and technology through innovative research and engineering. The Seafloor Processes Lab (https://www.mbari.org/team/seafloor-processes/) investigates seafloor processes across multiple scales, exploring how these interact with seafloor morphology and identifying their key drivers and controlling factors. The lab employs a combination of repeat surveying and in situ monitoring, supported by automated classification and advanced numerical methods.
Research Technician:
The Research Technician will support oceanographic research through data collection, visualization, and analysis, as well as the preparation and maintenance of laboratory and field equipment. This position is ideal for candidates with a strong technical background and a willingness to learn and engage in hands-on research.
Primary responsibilities:
- Contribute to the development and implementation of new oceanographic technology.
- Operate and maintain oceanographic instruments.
- Prepare and test equipment for oceanographic expeditions.
- Participate in oceanographic expeditions and fieldwork as required.
- Maintain laboratory equipment and oversee lab operations.
- Generate, visualize, and interpret oceanographic data.
- Contribute to the preparation of technical reports, summaries, protocols, and data analyses.
- Manage project administration, including logistics and financial aspects.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Required qualifications:
- A master’s degree (or equivalent experience) in oceanography, marine science, geology, geophysics, engineering, data science, or a related field.
- Proficiency in operating and maintaining oceanographic instruments.
- Skilled in analyzing and interpreting marine scientific data.
- Proven ability to quickly adapt to and apply new methods and technologies.
- Capable of working both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Willingness and readiness to participate in research expeditions at sea.
- Strong organizational abilities for managing projects, administration, and logistics.
- Commitment to precision, efficiency, and a strong work ethic.
Research Specialist
The Research Specialist will provide specialized technical or analytical expertise in support of research programs led by the principal investigator. This position requires a high level of independence and problem-solving to support and execute complex research projects.
Primary responsibilities:
- Contribute to the development and implementation of novel methods, instrumentation, or modeling techniques.
- Prepare and test equipment for oceanographic expeditions.
- Operate and maintain oceanographic instruments.
- Participate in oceanographic expeditions and fieldwork as required.
- Maintain laboratory equipment and oversee lab operations.
- Generate, visualize, and interpret complex oceanographic datasets.
- Lead or contribute to scientific publications, reports, and conference presentations.
- Manage project administration, including logistics and financial aspects.
- Supervise and mentor research technicians, postdoctoral fellows, students and interns.
- Participate in hiring processes and institutional committees as needed.
- Contribute to the development of research proposals and funding acquisition efforts.
- Engage in interdisciplinary collaboration within the institution.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Required qualifications:
- A doctorate degree (or equivalent experience) in oceanography, marine science, geology, geophysics, engineering, data science, or a related field.
- Expertise in one or more of the following areas: instrumentation, programming (e.g. Python, MATLAB, R), modeling, data interpretation.
- Willingness and readiness to participate in oceanographic fieldwork.
- Proficiency in operating and maintaining scientific instruments and data-processing tools.
- Proven ability to learn and apply new methods and technologies.
- Strong organizational and project management skills.
- Experience conducting independent research and contributing to high-quality scientific publications.
- Commitment to precision, efficiency, and a strong work ethic.
- Excellent collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary research environment.