Dr. Zhaohui Aleck Wang’s Lab at WHOI is seeking a motivated individual at the Research Associate II level, with prior computational and/or modeling expertise or experience with marine carbonate chemistry and the ability to analyze and work with large datasets.
This is a regular, full-time, non-exempt position, and is eligible for benefits. Funding is available through June of 2024 with the possibility of extension.
The technician will work with team members to primarily conduct computational analysis of regional and global climate model output, but may also involve field sampling, sensor deployment, and lab analysis of the carbonate parameters. Job responsibilities on computational analysis will include analysis of high-resolution, 3D physical and carbonate chemistry model output of the US Northeast Shelf Ecosystem, development of statistical downscaling approaches for global climate model output using both traditional and machine learning tools, organizing, and managing carbonate system data, and summarizing acquired data. Job responsibilities for field sampling and measurements may include working as a team member to collect discrete bottle samples of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), total, alkalinity (TA), and pH, deploy a new DIC-pH in situ sensor in coastal waters and controlled experiments to study impacts of Ocean Acidification. Both computational and field components of the job may involve data synthesis and preparing material for research papers and presentations. The ideal candidate will have proficiency in MATLAB, Python, or R, and possibly experience with high-performance computing, as well as experience with seawater carbonate chemistry. Other desirable experience includes familiarity with in situ sensors and environmental sampling of chemical species (e.g., carbonate and nutrient chemistry) and experience with GitHub.
Research in the Wang lab at WHOI aims to better understand the marine/aquatic CO2 system. Specifically, we study ocean acidification, the inorganic carbon cycle in marine and other aquatic systems, and CO2 fluxes across the air-sea interface by developing and deploying cutting-edge in-situ sensors to measure CO2 system parameters, including dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), pH, partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2), and alkalinity. The technician will be mentored by both Z. Aleck Wang (Associate Scientist, MC&G) and Jennie Rheuban (Research Specialist, MC&G), and the technician will be a full and participating member of the lab group. The technician will have the opportunity to lead the preparation of manuscripts should they desire (though this is not required).
Essential Functions
- Development and troubleshooting of analyses of large datasets
- Data visualization and analysis in MATLAB, Python, or R
- Data management, curation, and archiving
- Understanding of carbonate chemistry
- Good troubleshooting skills, effective time management, attention to detail, and ability to work independently
- Good writing skills
Education & Experience
The successful candidate will have demonstrated initial competence in one or more specialized areas of science or research support. The opportunity exists for assumption of increased technical and/or managerial responsibilities based on the continued development of expertise. While there is no time limit to appointment at this rank, promotion within the Technical Staff is expected. To that end, promotion consideration can occur as early as the third year in rank; formal consideration should normally occur within five or six years in rank.
Master’s degree in a specifically related field with minimal relevant experience, or Bachelor’s degree in a related field with several years of relevant experience
Other experience could include:
- Working with and setting up analyses on high-performance computing systems
- Laboratory skills in carbonate chemistry sample analysis
- Field experiences with environmental sampling and sensors
