Faculty Research Assistant/Senior Faculty Research Assistant I (Ocean Observatories Support)
Oregon State University
Application
Details
Posted: 27-Sep-24
Location: Corvallis, Oregon
Salary: Open
Internal Number: 159990
Internal Job Number: P08506UF
Description:
The College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term, Faculty Research Assistant or Senior Faculty Research Assistant I (Ocean Observatories Support) position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Dean.
Appointment at the Faculty Research Assistant rank is anticipated; however, appointment at a promoted rank may be considered depending upon the qualifications of the successful candidate.
Oregon State University (OSU) is a partner on a large-scale multi-year federally funded project called the National Science Foundation (NSF) Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI). The NSFOOI operates a global, networked infrastructure of science-driven sensor systems to measure the physical, chemical, geological, and biological variables in the ocean and seafloor. OSU operates the NSFOOI Coastal Endurance Array, which is a network of sensors operating off the Pacific Northwest. This network brings a wealth of information to ocean researchers, fisheries, coastal managers, elected officials, and the general public about our shared ocean resources. The Endurance Array includes over 200 instruments mounted on 6 surface moorings, 5 profilers, and up to 6 gliders deployed off the coast of Oregon and Washington. Ocean measurements from these instruments are made available in near real time to the world via the web. The Endurance Array is described at https://oceanobservatories.org/array/coastal-endurance/, and the OSU team that operates it is described at https://ceoas.oregonstate.edu/ocean-observatories-initiative-ooi.
This Faculty Research Assistant (FRA) will collaborate with a team of researchers, oceanographers, and technicians to assemble, deploy, recover, and refurbish oceanographic platforms and instruments used in the OOI Endurance Array. They will take primary responsibility for work on electronic devices, including:
Refurbishment, configuration and integration of oceanographic platforms and the instruments attached to them.
Responsibility for configuration and programming of oceanographic platforms and instruments at-sea during research cruises.
Monitoring and remote operation of oceanographic platforms.
Quality assurance and quality control of Endurance Array data.
This FRA will focus on the team's surface moorings and their associated instruments. This will mean refurbishing, programming, and troubleshooting a wide range of oceanographic instruments and the custom electronics OOI has created to power and control the instruments, save their data, and telemeter their data to shore.
In addition to the above-listed core responsibilities, the FRA will have the opportunity to specialize in areas such as:
Requires Bachelor's degree in discipline appropriate to the field in which research is being conducted.
Requirements :
Bachelor's degree in Oceanography, Marine Science, Natural Science, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field and 2 years of relevant work experience.
Demonstrated ability to learn technical skills outside of a classroom.
Experience writing and using Python, MATLAB, or R code.
Experience with software interfaces and electronics of scientific equipment.
Demonstrated written, verbal, and presentation communication skills, and ability to engage respectfully with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.
Demonstrated scientific data analysis skills.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment with diverse groups of researchers, staff, and students.
Ability to contribute expertise and follow leadership directives at appropriate times.
Must obtain forklift certification within one month of hire. (Onsite training provided.)
Demonstrated commitment to working with diverse identities, perspectives and experiences, and to contributing to an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming workplace environment.
This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.
This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver's license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.
Additional Required Qualifications for the Senior Faculty Research Assistant I rank:
Four years of professional experience conducting research in oceanography operating/maintaining OOI-like equipment or a closely related field.
Strong record of peer-reviewed publication and presentation in oceanography or a closely related field.
Type:
This position is required to work from various research ships in oceanic environments for up to 40 days per year. There will be one approximately 16-day cruise each spring and each fall on an Academic Research Fleet (ARF) University National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) Global, Oceans, or Regional Class Ship. While at sea, the ability to work and reside in confined spaces will be required. At sea work takes place on a moving platform and requires working with lifting equipment; therefore, safety is of utmost importance. Safety guidelines are common to all research ships and are required to be followed (e.g., UNOLS Research Vessel Safety Standards (RVSS)). Safety procedures for specific operations will be worked out between our team's Safety Lead and the Captain of each ship before each voyage.
This position works directly with non-restricted chemicals, and occasionally requires exposure to high noise levels, use of respirator or dust mask, and operation of passenger vehicles, utility carts, forklifts, and other vehicles.
Additional Salary Information: Salary is commensurate with skills, education and experience.
Oregon State is a leading research university located in one of the safest, smartest, greenest small cities in the nation. Situated 90 miles south of Portland, and an hour from the Cascades or the Pacific Coast, Corvallis is the perfect home base for exploring Oregon's natural wonders. Oregon State University has always been a place with a purpose - making a positive difference in quality of life, natural resources and economic prosperity in Oregon and beyond. Through discovery, innovation and application, we are meeting challenges, solving problems and turning ideas into reality.Founded in 1868, Oregon State is the state's Land Grant university and is one of only two universities in the U.S. to have Sea Grant, Space Grant and Sun Grant designations. Oregon State is also the only university in Oregon to hold both the Carnegie Foundation's top designation for research institutions and its prestigious Community Engagement classification.As Oregon's leading public research university, with $261.7 million in external funding in the 2011 fiscal year, Oregon State's impact reaches across the state and beyond. With 12 colleges, 15 Agricultural Experiment Stations, 35 county Extension off...ices, the Hatfield Marine Sciences Center in Newport and OSU-Cascades in Bend, Oregon, State has a presence in every one of Oregon's 36 counties, with a statewide economic footprint of $2.06 billion. Oregon State welcomes a diverse student body of over 26,000 students from across Oregon, all 50 states and more than 100 countries. They can choose from more than 200 undergraduate and more than 80 graduate degree programs, including over 30 degrees online offered through Oregon State Ecampus. Oregon State increasingly attracts high-achieving students, with nationally recognized programs in areas such as conservation biology, agricultural sciences, nuclear engineering, forestry, fisheries and wildlife management, community health, pharmacy and zoology. Oregon State also ranks high in sustainability, fourth among universities nationwide for using renewable energy and first in the Pac-12 Conference. And our students literally help power the university: 22 exercise machines at Oregon State University has always been a place with a purpose - making a positive difference in quality of life, natural resources and economic prosperity in Oregon and beyond. Through discovery, innovation and application, we are meeting challenges, solving problems and turning ideas into reality. For more information visit http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/about/index.cfm.The 400-acre main campus in Corvallis includes a Historic District, making Oregon State one of only a handful of U.S. university campuses listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The district includes such icons as Weatherford Hall, the Memorial Union and Benton Hall, the oldest building on the oldest building on campus.OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.