Research Assistant I/II in Oceanography & Data Science

WHOI is hiring for a Research Assistant I/II in Oceanography & Data Science (title is depending on applicant’s background and experience (Temporary: August 5, 2024 – Sep 30, 2025)
 

Successful candidates will provide professional consultation and hands-on support for data science, data quality control, data processing, scientific data analysis and visualization, data management, and database maintenance to a group of PIs in the Physical Oceanography and the Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering Departments at WHOI. Projects cover climate variability and change, regional oceanography, and ecosystem impacts. Responsibilities include implementing data pipelines and computational workflow and guiding students and researchers on data workflow design plans and protocols for maintenance and management of data sets through all phases of research; review progress and assure accuracy and compliance of data being acquired and stored; computational research support to implement approaches to helping streamline and improve coding efficiency.
 

Essential Functions

Individuals in this position are expected to possess the necessary skills to acquire data from various sources; clean, merge, and organize complex data across multiple projects; improve coding efficiency; and create data visualizations. Ideal candidates will have practical experience in organizing large datasets within a Linux environment, often requiring parallel processing (e.g., dask), processing large multi-dimensional observational, and reanalysis datasets, and global climate models. Additionally, proficiency in common programming environments such as python, Matlab, or R is essential. Experience with coding collaboration solutions (e.g., GitHub), columnar data types, and cloud services (i.e. AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud) is advantageous.

Successful candidates will also provide mentorship to less experienced members of the team, as well as develop, and lead tutorial sessions on key python or data management topics relevant for group members.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• As deemed necessary by supervisor

Education & Experience

Education: 

B.S. in climate / atmosphere / ocean / environmental / computational science or related field

Experience:

Experience with ‘best practices’ of scientific computing and programming and a background in relevant fields, such as climate / atmospheric science / oceanography / meteorology / environmental science or related field is required. Successful candidates are desired to have experience with one or more of the following, data visualization; statistical methods, machine learning and AI-based methods; geospatial data management; familiarity with open science practice; and text to data – or be willing to expand their skill sets accordingly.

Physical Requirements

No pre-determined physical requirements; all candidates are encouraged to apply

Sea Duty

May work at least 8 hours per day and, at times in excess of 12 hours per day, 7 days per week. Sleep and work hours can deviate from those on land. May be expected to work on watch schedule (such as 8 hours on and 8 hours off or 12 hours on and 8 hours off) for all or part of a cruise or to work as hours are needed to accomplish the planned work. May need to travel during holidays and for long distances to and from foreign ports. May experience rudimentary living and working conditions, with shared and basic living quarters and laboratories. May experience bad or extreme weather conditions, including heavy seas, winter weather or hot, tropical weather. Work on deck may occur in both hot and cold conditions around the clock. Sea conditions will lead to active ship motion. Should be able to climb steep and vertical ladders and able to enter and exit compartments through hatches, doors, and sills. Should be able to carry heavy gear and participate in the loading and unloading of the ship as well as in the activities on deck and in the labs during the cruise. Shipboard environment may include: confined areas, shared sleeping quarters (berths) and bathroom facilities, small and basic berthing, fixed meal times and basic menus. Modest levels of heating, cooling, ventilation, and illumination, limited or no email and internet access and limited off-duty and recreational facilities (library, lounge, movies). May be exposed to potential allergens and irritants, including paint fumes. May experience constant and intermittent loud noises, and slippery and uneven surfaces.