Req #: 171484
Department: JISAO
Job Location: Sand Point
Posting Date: 09/10/2019
Closing Info: Closes On 09/24/2019
Salary: Salary is commensurate with education and experience.
Shift: First Shift
As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.
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 2: Alaska Pinnipeds. The Research Scientist 2 conducts research in support of the JISAO project, Instrument-based Assessment of Remote Pinniped Populations, in cooperation with the Polar Ecosystems Program and the Alaska Ecosystems Program at the Marine Mammal Laboratory (MML), NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center. The primary research activities are: 1) Testing, evaluation, and refinement of methods for acquiring and processing digital images obtained in instrument-based surveys of pinnipeds, and 2) Strengthening field and analytical capabilities for employing unoccupied aircraft systems (UAS) to monitor pinnipeds in habitats that are particularly remote and costly to monitor from traditional, occupied aircraft. This project was designed to improve understanding of the status, and factors responsible for the dynamics, of Arctic and sub-Arctic pinniped populations; the information is key to understanding their roles in marine ecosystems, and human impacts on them from fisheries and climate disruption.
This position independently and with minimal supervision, evaluates, selects and applies standardized scientific procedures and techniques in support of the project; assists with planning and execution of field, office, and laboratory research; provides technical and logistical support; and participates in reporting and presentation of project results as follows:
•Work with MML scientists to devise and apply methods for evaluating the performance of image acquisition systems (e.g., completeness of coverage, suitability of focus and resolution, consistency of exposure);
•Work with MML scientists to develop machine-learning approaches for pinniped detection and classification by annotating digital images to create training data sets for convolution neural network algorithms;
•Work with MML scientists to devise and apply methods for evaluating the performance of target species detection and classification processes (e.g., detection rates, mis-classification rates, false positive rates);
•Participate in aerial surveys by operating remote sensing equipment and managing the collection of images and related data;
•Work with MML scientists to develop plans for new applications of UAS to pinniped monitoring;
•Provide advanced GIS analyses and products to support UAS mission planning;
•Provide organizational support for convening an expert group to elicit current, state-of-the-art approaches for image acquisition and on-board processing using UAS;
•Participate in field deployments of UAS for testing an application of UAS approaches to pinniped surveys;
•Process, manage, and analyze image and navigation data from UAS surveys;
•Produce summary statistics, maps, and other graphics;
•Work with MML scientists to write reports and peer-reviewed manuscripts, and prepare presentations; and
•Collaborate with researchers and stakeholders within and outside of NOAA and UW (agency resource managers, Alaska Native organizations, and other entities) to ensure maximum utility and impact of methods developed and data collected in this project.
As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For detailed information on Benefits for this position, click here.
Requirements:
•A minimum of a BS in a biological or environmental science, and one to three years of experience in aerial surveys of pinnipeds.
•The employee is expected to show proficiency in the use of GPS receivers to log survey tracks, digital SLR cameras for aerial photography, laptop computers, binoculars, and VHF radios.
•Current certification in aircraft egress, small boat operations, cold-water survival, CPR, and basic first aid, or the ability to obtain the necessary certifications prior to the start of a field assignment, are required. While in the field, the employee will be required to participate in safety drills and demonstrate familiarity with the safety gear and aircraft egress protocols.
•The employee must be comfortable flying in small aircraft in remote locations.
•Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is required.
•The employee must demonstrate accurate data collection and editing techniques, the ability to follow detailed data collection protocols, and the ability to maintain keen environmental awareness. Excellent communication, decision-making, and leadership skills are required.
Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (i.e. 'green card' holder)
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except where there are legal requirements such as license/certification/registration.
Desired:
•Proficiency evidenced by three or more years of experience observing and identifying North Pacific pinnipeds is highly desired and may be substituted for the education requirement.
•Proficiency in ArcGIS; Photoshop; and EndNote is highly desired.
•Experience working with large spatial data sets of digital images for enumerating and identifying wildlife is highly desired.
•A higher level of first aid certification, such as Wilderness First Aid.
•Experience working on collaborative marine mammal projects in Alaska Native communities.
•Experience with inventory management of ecological field equipment and supplies.
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.
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
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.
