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Synchro Program Specialist
Monterey Bay Aquariam Research Institute
Posted on Sep 24, 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.
Summary of Synchro
Ocean technology is challenging to get from the development stage to those who need it. It requires a rigorous testing process before it’s proven ready for broader use. Thus, many tech companies—particularly small ones—struggle to cross that gap. Synchro aims to propel emerging tech over that “valley of death” by providing, in partnership with Monterey Bay and Pacific Northwest marine institutions, access to a no-cost ocean testbed. We also connect these newly tested tools to potential end users, such as resource managers, data specialists, and field practitioners so feedback is built in from the start. By SYNCHROnizing testing with real-world input, we ensure technologies are fit for purpose and ready for adoption.
In addition, Synchro procures cost-effective and accessible ocean technology and shares them with users for evaluations and strengthening connections between developers and those who rely on ocean data. We are also piloting the use of emerging technologies to monitor ecosystem-wide changes related to offshore energy, exploring how these tools can capture broad ocean dynamics rather than single indicators.
Synchro’s marine lab collaborators include Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions and Hopkins Marine Station, San Jose State University’s Moss Landing Marine Labs, UC Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, University of Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, and the Hakai Institute.
Program specialist position description:
This new position will coordinate the documentation and reporting stages of Synchro’s testing and evaluation program, including assisting developers to produce, review, revise, and complete documentation of their testing. This includes handling documentation from both the testing and evaluation program (where the initial report drafting will typically be led by third parties such as the developers or evaluators), and the accessible ocean tech (AOT) evaluation
program. We anticipate the production of a dozen or more short form reports by the end of 2026.
This role will work closely with the Synchro Technical Manager and Program Manager, the AOT coordinator, and Data Specialist who assists developers and others in processing their data. Helping to create a system to elicit useful feedback from potential users of the tested technology will also be part of the candidate’s responsibilities and help “graduate” a developer from the Synchro program. Additionally, the role will include compiling conclusions from the AOT user evaluations and communicating those lessons to the technology developers. Finally, the candidate will assist with tracking and helping to collate the analysis and final reporting for the offshore energy pilot study.
Additionally, Synchro will have a series of meetings in the coming year, some in-person (e.g., Oceans 2026 in Monterey) and online that use a co-design approach. The candidate will assist in logistics that can include securing a space, compiling attendee lists, working with our partners, and overseeing logistics to run the meetings. The candidate will also be involved in collating feedback to help craft a possible next evolution of Synchro.
Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Coordinating the documentation and reporting stages of Synchro’s testing and evaluation programs, including helping developers and evaluators produce, review, and finalize reports. This includes tracking and assisting with reports for an offshore energy pilot study.
• Ongoing coordination between program team, technology developers/startups, scientists, and oceanographic data users.
• Ensure knowledge sharing by compiling user feedback, helping to draw conclusions from evaluations, and creating clear ways to communicate lessons learned to technology developers.
• Strengthen connections with stakeholders through activities such as Show and Tell webinars, social media content, and meetings that help socialize emerging technologies to potential users.
• Organize and manage events by handling logistics for in-person and virtual co-design sessions, from securing venues and assembling attendee lists to partner coordination.
• Contribute to Synchro’s future by helping track its progress in meeting program goals, providing insights that will inform decisions about the potential next phase of Synchro.
Required qualifications:
• A master’s degree or bachelor’s with 2 years of related work experience
• An accessible writing style for science and technical documentation
• Program coordination and support for multiple projects running simultaneously
• Report review, documentation, and analysis of tech projects
• Communicating across many functional teams (policy makers, scientists, engineers)
• Familiarity with Google Suit and virtual meeting platforms
• Ability to work independently
• Project management experience
• Strong organization skills
Desired qualifications:
• Ability to leverage diverse platforms to communicate complex concepts in an accessible and engaging manner
• Familiarity with ocean technology and ocean observing
• ArcGIS and other data handling tools
• Event coordination
• Graphics creation/familiarity with Canva or other design programs
• WordPress experience
The position will be based at MBARI, located in Moss Landing, CA. The candidate will have the opportunity to go to sea and experience testing and evaluation activities. The position is a twelve-month appointment, with extension possible depending on funding availability and other factors.