Job description
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) invites qualified applicants for the position of Senior Oceanographer, focused on climate and ocean dynamics. This role blends field research, data science, and leadership to advance our understanding of the world’s oceans and their role in climate systems. We offer a collaborative, cross-disciplinary environment with access to world class vessels, autonomous platforms, and state of the art modeling tools.
As a senior member of our Oceanography Division, you will design and implement ambitious research programs, mentor junior scientists, and contribute to peer-reviewed publications and grant proposals. You will work with a diverse team of researchers, engineers, and data scientists to translate observations into actionable knowledge for scientists, policymakers, and the public.
Responsibility
- Lead design and execution of advanced oceanographic research projects focusing on physical, chemical, and biological processes in marine environments.
- Develop and maintain ocean observing systems, deploy sensors, perform data quality control, and manage data pipelines from field to repository.
- Plan and conduct field campaigns, vessel operations, and safety protocols in collaboration with cross-disciplinary teams.
- Apply numerical models and data assimilation techniques to interpret ocean data and forecast system behavior.
- Analyze large multi-source datasets, produce robust results, and publish findings in peer‑reviewed journals; contribute to grant proposals.
- Mentor graduate students, postdocs, and research staff; foster a collaborative, inclusive team culture.
- Present results at conferences and in workshops; translate science into actionable insights for stakeholders.
Qualification
- PhD in Physical Oceanography or a closely related field; or MSc with substantial field experience and publications.
- Minimum 5 years of oceanographic research experience with a strong record of peer-reviewed publications.
- Experience with ocean observing systems including CTD, ADCP, Argo floats, moorings, and autonomous platforms.
- Proficiency in data analysis languages (Python, MATLAB, R) and experience with ROMS, MITgcm, Delft3D or similar models.
- Proven ability to design and lead field campaigns, manage vessel operations, and ensure safety compliance.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; demonstrated ability to secure research funding and collaborate across disciplines.
- Willingness to travel for fieldwork and conferences; able to work in a dynamic, multi-institution environment.