Job description
Join the Pacific Marine Research Center, a leading institution advancing ocean science and coastal resilience. We seek a Senior Oceanography Research Scientist to spearhead physical oceanography research, model development, and collaborative projects with government, industry, and academia.
In this role, you will design and execute field campaigns, analyze complex datasets, and translate findings into actionable insights for stakeholders working on climate adaptation, marine ecosystems, and coastal infrastructure.
Responsibility
- Lead design and execution of field campaigns (CTD casts, autonomous vehicles, moorings) to collect high-quality oceanographic data.
- Develop and apply numerical models of coastal circulation to investigate upwelling, tides, and shelf dynamics.
- Analyze large datasets, perform quality control, and synthesize results into clear reports and peer-reviewed publications.
- Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams in biology, climatology, and policy to drive actionable research outcomes.
- Oversee data management, documentation, and repository practices to ensure reproducibility and long-term accessibility.
- Present findings to stakeholders, funders, and at national and international conferences.
- Mentor junior scientists and technicians, supporting training and career development.
Qualification
- PhD in Physical Oceanography, Marine Science, or a closely related field; or MSc with extensive field and modeling experience.
- 3+ years of hands-on experience in ocean data analysis, modeling, and visualization.
- Proficiency in Python and MATLAB; experience with R and data processing pipelines is a plus.
- Strong background in GIS and spatial analysis; familiarity with netCDF, data management, and reproducible research practices.
- Experience with ocean models (ROMS, MITgcm, or similar) and data assimilation techniques.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and written communication skills; ability to present complex ideas to diverse audiences.
- Ability to lead fieldwork campaigns, travel regionally or internationally as needed, and maintain rigorous safety standards.