Lynker Corporation is seeking a Marine Passive Acoustics Scientist to support NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) Fisheries Assessment, Technology & Engineering Support (FATES) Division. This proposed role will manage, quality-control, archive, and analyze passive acoustic data used to study marine soundscapes, fishes, marine mammals, and vessel activity across the southeastern United States. Hiring for this position will be contingent on contract award. 

The SEFSC Advanced Technology and Innovation Branch develops and applies new instruments and analytical methods to improve fisheries and ecosystem research. Passive acoustic monitoring provides information about biological, geological, and human-generated sound, helping scientists evaluate marine species occurrence, distribution, habitat use, and environmental conditions.

Duties of the Marine Passive Acoustics Scientist will include the following:

• Manage passive acoustic data collected from North Carolina through Texas.
• Organize and communicate with project partners to maintain year-round data collection.
• Assist with passive acoustic field-data collection as needed.
• Process acoustic data and conduct quality assurance and quality control using standardized practices within the acoustic community.
• Maintain current records of data availability, location, and quality.
• Organize and document acoustic data and metadata using established protocols and tracking interfaces.
• Package passive acoustic data, metadata, and analytical results for submission to the National Centers for Environmental Information National Passive Acoustic Archive.
• Analyze bottom-mounted and mobile passive acoustic data using manual and automated detectors.
• Characterize marine soundscapes, including biological, geological, and anthropogenic contributions.
• Analyze the occurrence and distribution of fishes and marine mammals.
• Analyze vessel occurrence, distribution, and relative source levels.
• Participate in national passive acoustic monitoring working groups and multidisciplinary collaborations.
• Assist with project planning and information dissemination.
• Prepare scientific proposals for extramural funding.
• Review reports, manuscripts, and scientific proposals.
• Participate in stakeholder meetings, public events, workshops, scientific meetings, symposiums, and public forums.
• Provide required monthly status reports and timely outreach and scientific-meeting summaries.

The Marine Passive Acoustics Scientist should have the following:

• A master’s degree in marine biology, a related biological science, or data science, or an undergraduate degree with one year of relevant research experience.
• Experience analyzing passive acoustic data.
• Ability to participate in fieldwork.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate on large, multifaceted projects.
• A basic understanding of programming.
• Experience managing large datasets.

The ideal Marine Passive Acoustics Scientist will have the following preferred qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in marine biology or a related biological science.
• Extensive experience leading passive acoustic data analyses.
• Experience using Raven Pro, MATLAB, and R.
• Experience programming in Python.
• Experience using cloud platforms.
• Understanding of signal processing.

Work Environment

The position is located at the SEFSC Beaufort Laboratory in Beaufort, North Carolina. Work will include laboratory and computer-based data processing and analysis, collaborative scientific activities, public outreach, and fieldwork as needed. Travel may be required for field activities, scientific meetings, workshops, and outreach events. Facility access is generally available from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Travel and overtime must be authorized in accordance with contract requirements.

About Lynker

Lynker is a growing, employee owned business, specializing in professional, scientific and technical services. Our continually expanding team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to achieve technically sound, cost effective solutions in hydrology/water sciences, geospatial analysis, information technology, resource management, conservation, and management and business process improvement.

We focus on putting the right people in the right place to be effective. And having the right people is critical for success. Our streamlined organization enables and empowers our talented professionals to tackle our customers' scientific and technical priorities – creatively and effectively.

Lynker offers a team-oriented work environment, and the opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions. Lynker's benefits include the following:

• Comprehensive healthcare for the employee at no monthly cost
• Healthcare benefit covers medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision
• Personal Time Off (PTO) Policy plus paid holidays
• Highly competitive compensation plan regularly calibrated against industry and location benchmarks
• 401(k) retirement plan with company-matching
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – we're all company owners!
• 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 exceptional 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 every employee

Lynker is an E-Verify employer.

* This position is not currently funded and is contingent upon contract award. Employment is subject to successful completion of any required background checks and security processing required by the customer.

Lynker is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local laws.