Acoustician Level 2 – Part Time, Cetacean Data Analysis & Processing Support

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Hawaii.

📋 Description

• Analyze datasets from passive acoustic monitoring gathered via stationary recorders, towed hydrophone arrays, drifting recorders, autonomous gliders, and other acoustic platforms.

• Develop, test, validate, and enhance automated methods for cetacean detection, classification, and localization.

• Perform quantitative analyses regarding cetacean occurrence, abundance, seasonality, habitat use, and acoustic behavior.

• Characterize various cetacean call types and assess correlations between acoustic detections and environmental or anthropogenic factors.

• Conduct statistical analyses that support marine mammal stock assessments and ecological research.

• Analyze underwater soundscape datasets and calculate ambient noise metrics across different temporal scales.

• Evaluate long-term acoustic trends and analyze natural and anthropogenic sound sources within monitored ecosystems.

• Validate automated classifiers through manual review and annotation of acoustic datasets.

• Assist in acoustic analyses related to autonomous Seaglider deployments and other innovative monitoring technologies.

• Contribute to acoustic propagation modeling and evaluate the detection performance specific to various species.

• Maintain reproducible analytical workflows using MATLAB, Python, R, GitHub, and adhere to NOAA Fisheries data management standards.

• Document analytical methods, keep analysis logs, and aid in the preparation of reports, manuscripts, conference presentations, and technical summaries.

• Collaborate with NOAA scientists, project partners, and working groups to enhance passive acoustic monitoring methodologies and research goals.

⛳️ Requirements

• Master's degree in marine biology, oceanography, acoustics, fisheries science, statistics, computer science, or a related field.

• Minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience.

• Proficient understanding of underwater acoustic theory and practice, including acoustic propagation, sound measurement, and standard signal processing techniques.

• Experience in developing, testing, and validating automated detectors and classifiers for passive acoustic datasets.

• Experience in processing acoustic data to derive soundscape and ambient noise measurements ranging from hourly to yearly timescales.

• Ability to design, execute, and interpret statistical analyses concerning animal abundance to evaluate patterns in occurrence or associations with habitat or fishery variables.

• Previous experience in drafting reports and presenting project outcomes at scientific meetings.

• Proficient in MATLAB and R programming languages, including the use of MATLAB-based acoustic analysis software Triton.

• Current skills in MS Office applications.

• Proficient in passive acoustic metadata databases such as TETHYS and Makara.

• Knowledgeable in open science practices, including the use of GitHub or similar resources for maintaining and archiving analysis code.

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare coverage for employees at no monthly cost.

• Personal Time Off (PTO) Policy in addition to paid holidays.

• Highly competitive compensation package regularly adjusted against industry and location benchmarks.

• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching.

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – we’re all owners of the company!

• Flexible spending accounts.

• Employee assistance program (EAP).

• Short- and long-term disability insurance.

• Life and accident insurance.

• Tuition assistance/Training/Workforce improvement reimbursement per year.

• Spot bonuses for outstanding performance.

• Annual Employee Recognition Awards with bonuses.

• Employee Referral Program.

• Free centralized, self-directed Learning Management System to learn at your own pace.

• Personalized career growth plans for each employee.