Lynker Corporation is seeking a Marine Sensor Data Scientist – AI/ML to support NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) Fisheries Assessment, Technology & Engineering Support (FATES) Division. This proposed role will manage multidisciplinary marine sensor datasets and develop, train, test, and validate advanced analytical models that improve the efficiency and utility of SEFSC science products. Hiring for this position will be contingent on contract award.

The SEFSC Advanced Technology and Innovation Branch combines emerging technologies, sensors, data systems, and analytical methods to expand scientific research capabilities. The Branch works with active and passive acoustics, multibeam systems, underwater and stereo video, environmental DNA, aerial imagery, and other data sources to develop advanced methods that support fisheries science and stock-assessment needs.

Duties of the Marine Sensor Data Scientist will include the following:

• Manage and analyze marine data collected across the southeastern United States.
• Coordinate with project partners to optimize data collection and sensor configurations for artificial intelligence and machine-learning applications.
• Maintain familiarity with active and passive acoustic, multibeam, underwater video, stereo-video, environmental DNA, and aerial-image datasets.
• Assist with field-data collection as needed.
• Organize and document data and metadata using established protocols and tracking interfaces.
• Curate data in repositories, including cloud storage.
• Conduct data quality assurance and quality control and evaluate whether datasets meet criteria for advanced analyses.
• Prepare and archive datasets in accordance with government data-archiving requirements.
• Maintain an understanding of data products required to meet agency and SEFSC goals and of analytical routines used in SEFSC operations.
• Identify existing and potential datasets suitable for artificial intelligence and machine-learning tools.
• Annotate data and support model testing and training.
• Support or lead the development of machine-learning detectors and classifiers for sensor data.
• Develop, train, test, and validate analytical models.
• Generate science products that can be used by customers such as stock-assessment scientists.
• Participate in multidisciplinary working groups and collaborative projects within and outside NOAA.
• Prepare scientific proposals for extramural funding.
• Review reports, manuscripts, and scientific proposals.
• Participate in stakeholder engagement, public outreach, workshops, scientific meetings, symposiums, and public forums.
• Provide required monthly status reports and timely summaries of outreach and scientific-meeting activities.

The Marine Sensor Data Scientist should have the following:

• A master’s degree in data science, computer science, marine biology, or a related field, or an undergraduate degree with one year of relevant research experience.
• Proficiency in machine learning or other artificial-intelligence methods.
• Proficiency in software languages such as Python and R.
• Experience with Google Cloud Platform.
• Experience with cloud computing and model architecture.
• Experience with relational databases.
• Experience managing large datasets.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate on large, multifaceted projects.

The ideal Marine Sensor Data Scientist will have the following preferred qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in data science, computer science, marine biology, or a related field, with experience developing machine-learning models and advanced analytical techniques.
• Experience developing and deploying artificial-intelligence or machine-learning models using cloud resources.

Work Environment

The position may be located at an SEFSC laboratory in Miami, Florida; Beaufort, North Carolina; Panama City, Florida; Pascagoula, Mississippi; or Galveston, Texas. The role includes computer-based data management, cloud computing, model development, collaborative scientific work, and potential field-data collection. Travel may be required for field activities, project meetings, workshops, scientific conferences, and public outreach. 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.