Research Associate II

Overview

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The Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS) at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science (RSMAES) of the University of Miami invites applications for a full-time Research Associate II to work for its collaborative research with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) in Miami. The principal responsibilities of the position will be to serve as a field researcher for a research program.

The successful applicant will be a full participant (with PIs and colleagues) in field research on reef fish and benthic ecology, primarily in the Florida Keys. The incumbent will support the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program’s (CRCP) National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). SEFSC is co-lead for biological components of this program in the U.S. Atlantic and Caribbean, which includes monitoring fish and benthic communities for all U.S. territories in the region.

The incumbent may also assist with other SEFSC funded coral and fish research projects as needed.

• Participate in field research, including preparation, maintenance, and breakdown of supplies/gear and coordination with PI, NCRMP staff, and divers as needed.
• Data entry, QA/QC proofing, and editing data for database submission.
• Assistance in and/or lead the preparation of written and web products (e.g., tech memos and web reports).

The position is based at the SEFSC Facility on Key Biscayne, FL. Participation in field activities as a scientific diver will include extensive (50+ days per year), single to multi-day field trips to the Florida Keys and U.S. Caribbean and may require long hours and/or weekend days. When not in the field, the incumbent should complete data entry, as well as other duties including survey site planning and written products as assigned by the PI.

These research projects should assist in the preparation of reports, peer‑reviewed publications, and presentations. The incumbent should be versed in a variety of programming languages used to perform statistical analyses of data. The incumbent is expected to perform these duties with only general supervision from the PI and is encouraged to use his/her creativity to improve work produced.

The incumbent will work with investigators at SEFSC and the Rosenstiel School as well as other collaborators, to assist and/or lead daily activities including field work and data entry. He/she will be expected to perform some qualified activities (i.e., field day preparation, survey site planning, field sampling, and identification training) with minimal supervision. Incumbent will work under the guidance of PI, NCRMP staff, and Senior Research Associates for identifying areas of need in product production and will lead the production of some products.

They will be expected to accept supervisory responsibility of casual workers/interns for some qualified activities (i.e., field day preparation and sampling). The incumbent will be under the general supervision of the Director of CIMAS and is expected to report as required to the Director of CIMAS on the progress of work.

A high degree of ingenuity is required for successful execution of field observations and experiments in the ocean environment. The incumbent is expected to work under the PIs general guidelines; however, the incumbent is encouraged to demonstrate leadership and creativity to improve daily field operations, data analyses, and/or product development.

A minimum education is a B.S. degree in marine ecology or related field and/or experience in SCUBA-based marine fieldwork and at least two years of relevant work experience. Fluency in English and US citizenship are required.

Relevant experience/skills include:

• A SCUBA certification is required, including experience as a scientific diver, and advanced and rescue certifications are preferred (dives up to 100ft).
• The individual must have a
  1) a current AAUS affiliation;
  2) a current Agency affiliation (state or federal); or
  3) have a recent (AAUS or agency) affiliation and/or the ability to pass a rigorous dive physical, possess a rescue diver certification and have over 250 logged dives.
• Expertise surveying/identifying reef fish species and/or sessile benthic organisms in Florida/Caribbean is required. Experience conducting fish surveys using NCRMP methods and ability to train others in field identification is strongly desired.
• Comfortable working from small boats while at sea as well as larger live aboard dive vessels in remote (e.g., limited/no communication services) locations.
• NOAA Small Boat Component Course, MOCC, or equivalent boating…