JISAO-AEP RESEARCH SCIENTIST ASSISTANT
University of Washington
Seattle, WA
Full-time
Research
Posted on June 11, 2019
Req #: | 168415 |
Department: | JISAO |
Job Location: | Sand Point |
Posting Date: | 06/10/2019 |
Closing Info: | Closes On 06/17/2019 |
Salary: | Salary is commensurate with education and experience. |
Shift: | First Shift |
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. All of which has allowed the UW to be nationally recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for five consecutive years.
The Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean (JISAO) has existed since 1977 for the purpose of fostering research collaboration between UW and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). JISAO’s research is at the forefront of investigations on climate change, ocean acidification, fisheries assessments, and tsunami forecasting.
JISAO has an outstanding opportunity for a Research Scientist Assistant to contribute to the research project “Population trends, vital rates, and diets of otariid pinnipeds in Alaska: What can they tell us about the relative effects of climate change and human activities?” This is a full-time, grant-funded position within the Marine Mammal Laboratory’s (MML) Alaska Ecosystems Program (AEP), located at the NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center (Sand Point).
The Marine Mammal Laboratory conducts research on marine mammals important to the mission of NOAA Fisheries, with particular attention to issues related to marine mammals off the coasts of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and California. Information is provided to various domestic and international organizations to assist in developing management regimes for marine resources under NOAA's jurisdiction. These organizations include the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Alaska and Northwest Regional Offices, the NMFS Office of Protected Resources, the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council, the International Whaling Commission, and the Arctic Council. The Alaska Ecosystems Program conducts research on Steller sea lions and northern fur seals. Research projects are designed to assess the status of these species under the Endangered Species Act (western Steller sea lions are listed as endangered) and the Marine Mammal Protection Act (northern fur seals are listed as depleted) and to improve knowledge of their ecology and behavior. More information about AEP’s work can be found on their website.
DUTIES:
•Process imagery of Steller sea lions from remote cameras stationed in the Aleutian Islands: count individuals, record marks (brands) and behavior status; help maintain database of photographs of marked Steller sea lions; help develop machine learning methods for image processing (e.g., annotations)
•Review and finalize Steller sea lion brand sightings collected by volunteers, machine learning programs, and Steller Watch citizen scientists
•Help manage the Steller Watch crowdsourcing project (blog posts, talk forum moderating, etc.); help guide volunteers in the office with processing remote camera images
•Process manned and unmanned aerial survey images of Steller sea lions and northern fur seals: count individuals in images by sex-age group; help maintain aerial survey image and count databases; help develop machine learning techniques for aerial image processing and counting (e.g., annotations)
•Review videos from northern fur seal camera tags to identify and record foraging behavior
•Process Steller sea lion and northern fur seal food habits samples, including scats (feces) and spews (regurgitates)
•Assist with the preparation of reports and scientific publications
•Participate in field research studies in Alaska and/or along the west coast of the United States: vessel- and land-based re-sight surveys of branded Steller sea lions; land-based re-sight surveys of tagged northern fur seals; northern fur seal mark-recapture shear-sampling abundance surveys
•Assist AEP, JISAO, and MML staff in other duties related to studies of Alaska pinnipeds as assigned by JISAO
As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For detailed information on Benefits for this position, click here.
REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelor’s degree in Marine Science, Fisheries, Environmental Science, Biology, or related field; AND a minimum of three months to one year of job-related experience that includes:
•Experience conducting scientific research and collecting data: in remote field settings; in Alaska or other cold, wet climates; aboard research vessels
•Previous research experience with Steller sea lions, specifically: re-sighting branded individuals in the field (e.g., from skiffs, ship offshore, land) and from imagery; reading and confirming brands; identifying age-sex class (adult male, sub-adult male, adult female, juvenile, and pup) and reproductive/behavior status
•Experience processing pinniped diet samples for food habits studies
•Experience communicating scientific research to the public (e.g., outreach events, blog)
•Demonstrated initiative and strong problem-solving skills
•Ability to work independently, and as part of a research team
•Organized, detail-oriented
•Excellent written communication skills, including scientific (e.g., trip reports) and casual (e.g., blog) formats
•Proficient with Excel, G Suite, image management software (e.g., ACDSee), and video analysis software (e.g., BORIS)
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except where there are legal requirements such as license/certification/registration.
DESIRED:
•Current or recent past certifications in First Aid, CPR/AED, cold water survival
•Experience identifying pinniped foraging behavior from camera tag footage
•Experience working for a “citizen scientist” project
•Experience working with and guiding volunteers or staff with marine mammal projects
Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Workforce Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
The University of Washington is a leader in environmental stewardship & sustainability, and committed to becoming climate neutral.
The University of Washington is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 / 206-543-6452 (tty) or dso@uw.edu.