Research Technician - College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences

Have you ever imagined yourself living in a stunning Alaskan fjord and contributing to Arctic and sub-Arctic oceanographic research using cutting-edge instrumentation?

The College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (CFOS) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) is recruiting a field-going technician to work at the Seward Marine Center (SMC) mooring loft in Seward, AK. Join a vibrant team of oceanographers who undertake field expeditions each year to southeast Alaska glaciated fjords, the northern Gulf of Alaska, the northern Bering Sea, and the northeast Chukchi Sea. We operate land-based High Frequency Radar stations in Cook Inlet and along the Arctic coast, deploy and operate underwater gliders, conduct ship-based surveys of marine conditions, and maintain a network of oceanographic moorings that monitor the state of Alaska’s marine ecosystems in both the Arctic and the North Pacific.

The responsibilities of this hands-on position will be primarily 1) preparation, deployment, and recovery of oceanographic instrumentation, 2) participating in research cruises, 3) processing of collected data sets, and 4) remote piloting of underwater gliders.

CFOS is one of UAF's most geographically extensive units. The College is headquartered in Fairbanks with additional locations in Anchorage and at costal facilities that the Seward Marine Center, the NOAA-UAF Kasitsna Bay Laboratory, and the Juneau Lena Point Fisheries Facility. The College has over 150 faculty, researchers and staff based across Alaska.

To thrive in this role, you will need to use critical thinking and problem solving skills, including planning and safely executing field operations. Computer programming experience such as knowledge of Matlab and/or other programming languages and frameworks (e.g. Python, GitHub) is a plus, as is experience with operating oceanographic instruments (e.g. profiling CTDs, ADCPs, mooring dataloggers, gliders).

Minimum Qualifications:

● Bachelor degree from an accredited college in a related discipline and two years of professional experience, or equivalent experience/combined education. 

● A valid driver's license and clean driving record in compliance with UA Safe Driving Criteria is required.

● Position requires lifting of up to 100 lbs and strenuous physical activity both indoors and outdoors.

● Must be able to work in wet and cold environments.

Position Details:

This position is based in Seward, Alaska at the Seward Marine Center. It is a full-time, non-exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA Staff Salary Schedule, Grade 79, based on education and experience.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a successful candidate is identified. Review will begin on March 22, 2024.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

This position is a term-funded position and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

UA is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, educational institution and provider and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Dr. Seth Danielson, sldanielson@alaska.edu.