University of Victoria
Instrument Scientist (IS)
NEPTUNE Canada is seeking an Instrument Scientist guide the Engineering group as it continues integrating and maintaining new instruments to the network. The NEPTUNE Canada cabled ocean network forms a major part of the Ocean Networks Canada Observatory. Over the next two decades, NEPTUNE Canada will reveal a wealth of ocean environmental processes and imagery through the many arrays of scientific instruments deployed between 17m and 2660m water-depths in the NE Pacific Ocean. To ensure the scientific functioning and maintenance of these vital instrument arrays, smooth logistics is crucial.
The University of Victoria offers a competitive salary package including significant benefits ranging from extended health benefits, a pension plan, 35-hour work week and generous paid leave as well as a motivating work location in one of the most beautiful places in Canada.
Details of the NEPTUNE project can be found on our website: http://www.neptunecanada.ca/. A complete job description is available at https://uhire.uvic.ca.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Instrument Scientist will be primarily responsible for instruments testing and calibration prior to integration with the seafloor network. He or She will be the primary contact with scientists to organize deployments and instrument maintenance. He or She will have extensive experience in marine deployed instrument, and the execution of remote marine deployments. His/her tasks will include:
- Serve as a liaison to the scientific community in coordination with the NC Science group and propose solutions to facilitate integration of instruments into the network based on the type, purpose and science of each instrument (seismic, acoustic, biological, chemical, water column properties, cameras etc.)
- Be responsible for the planning and implementation of the testing and qualification of scientific instruments to be integrated to the NEPTUNE Canada network
- Participate in the organization and may take the lead of the servicing and installation cruises that are typically bi-annual and may be up to 4 weeks in duration
- Participate in documentation revisions and implementation of quality protocols and processes; in particular, drive the definition and maintenance of the NEPTUNE Canada instrument requirements document in coordination with the Science, Engineering and Data Management groups
- Guide the design and manufacture of equipment, platforms and structures based on NEPTUNE Canada's equipment requirements
- Communicate with contractors and equipment providers as required with respect to the calibration, servicing and replacement of scientific and related equipment
- Manage the deployed instrument health status, in particular follow up on failure reports provided by operation staff
- Liaise with the Data Management team on all relevant aspects of new instrumentation, such as communication protocol, data access protocol, specific software requirements, etc. Provide the operation staff with information on the various alert trigger for each instrument. Ensure proper instrument documentation is available to all parties
- Collaborate with the NC Science team on data quality issues
Qualifications, Skills & Experience
Essential qualifications include shipboard experience in deployment of marine equipment, excellent problem solving and interpersonal skills as well as a strong technical background in relevant technologies. Marine safety training and First Aid would be an asset.
Specifics:
- a demonstrated interest in, and knowledge of, the Ocean Sciences
- a proven experience with operations and basic data quality assessment of instrument (seismic, acoustic, oceanographic, chemical)
- experience with oceanographic instrumentation and equipment including field support at sea
- strong problem-solving abilities
- strong interpersonal, verbal, written and computational communication skills are a key requirement
- ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
- ability to work collegially within a team as well as independently
- a current Standard First Aid or Marine Basic First Aid certificate is desirable
Educational Requirements:
The successful candidate will have a PhD in Physical Oceanography, physics or related field and related experience of 15-20 years or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
To Apply:
Applications must be submitted on the University of Victoria Human Resources recruitment website: https://uhire.uvic.ca. Applications must be received by 4:30pm, January 4th, 2012.
