MSU's Northern Gulf Institute Needs a Research Associate to Work on Scientific Data Monitoring, Assessment and Analysis Projects with NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information

August 14, 2019

Processing of oceanographic data including development of integrated management frameworks for oceanographic data such as ocean currents and debris collected with bottle and net tows (including microplastics).

An oceanographer with oceanographic analytical skills and programming experience is required to help analyze oceanographic data at the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Data Monitoring and Assessment

• Gather oceanographic data (e.g. marine debris) from different resources
• Identify, coordinate, and correspond with data contributors to develop oceanographic data archives and suitability criteria for the long-term data record.
• Process and convert oceanographic data from different sources to a uniform format (e.g. netCDF) for data distribution and subsetting. Work with partners to develop quality control/quality assurance procedures.

Provide Support to Oceanographic Databases Development:

• Assist with the development of the NCEI's Global Ocean Current Database (GOCD) for dissemination to partners and the public.
• Process new ocean current data submitted to NCEI and incorporate the data into GOCD.
• Improve quality monitoring of ocean currents data.
• Assist with incorporation of microplastics data into the NCEI Thermosalinograph (TSG) Database.

The position will be located at the Mississippi State University Science and Technology Center at the Stennis Space Center, MS.

Salary commensurate with abilities and experience. The period of performance is estimated to be a minimum of one year with a potential for additional years.

For additional information, contact Dr. Just Cebrian ( jcebrian@ngi.msstate.edu) at 228-688-4812 or Dr. Zhankun Wang (zw399@msstate.edu).

To apply, please visit http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/cw/en-us/job/499193/research-associate-i-ii-iii-senior

Minimum QUALIFICATIONS:
US Citizen or Permanent Residency.
Ability to receive Department of Commerce moderate risk clearance.
B.S., M.S. or Ph.D. in Marine Science or related field.
Computer literate and experienced with common word processing, database, and office applications.
Knowledge of Linux and proficient in Python, Matlab, R or other similar languages.
Familiar with the common data model format netCDF and associated tools.
Ability to write professional reports and making oral presentations.
 
Preferred QUALIFICATIONS:
Existing Department of Commerce moderate risk clearance.
Experience preparing scientific datasets and documentation, and facilitation of standards and metadata.

1. Beginning with a Bachelor's degree: A professional (support/service) employee with a bachelors can begin work at Associate I; To begin at Associate II, one must meet the above requirements, have a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience and the equivalent to a master's degree; To begin at Associate III, one must meet the above requirements, have a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience and the equivalent to a master's degree.


2. Beginning with a Master's degree: A professional (support/service) employee with a master's degree and a minimum of 1 year of relevant experience and demonstrated competency can begin work at Associate II; To begin at Associate III, one must have a master's degree and a minimum of 3 years of experience; To begin at Senior Associate, one must have a master's degree and a minimum of 6 years of experience.


3. Beginning with a Doctoral degree: A professional (support/service) employee with a doctorate degree with 2 years of relevant experience and demonstrated competence can begin work at Associate III; To begin at the Senior Associate, one must have a doctorate degree and a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience.