Physical Oceanography Research Scientist

Job Title: Physical Oceanography Research Scientist
Supervisor: Dr. Dave Reidmiller
Pay Grade:  9 Pay Grade Range: $78,589 – $141,522
Salary Range: $78,589 – $99,600

Overview

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) develops and delivers collaborative solutions to global ocean challenges. We are dedicated to the resilience of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. To learn more, visit gmri.org.

Position Description

GMRI is seeking qualified candidates to establish a new research group that investigates the physical oceanography of the Gulf of Maine and adjacent bodies of water, specifically to address questions such as, but not limited to:

• What is causing the Gulf of Maine to warm at a rate that is 3-4x faster than the global ocean? What are the main drivers of interannual variability in ocean temperature in the Gulf of Maine and the broader Northwest Atlantic? And what sort of predictive skill is there in understanding those drivers on seasonal to multi-decadal timescales?
• How are changes in global / regional ocean circulation (e.g., Gulf Stream & Labrador Current) impacting Gulf of Maine-region circulation and coastal sea level?
• What are the drivers of interannual to decadal variability in observed mean sea level along the Gulf of Maine coast—and can near-term (i.e., seasonal to decadal) sea level anomalies be forecasted?
• In what ways would offshore wind energy development in the Gulf of Maine alter near-surface ocean circulation (and, by extension, have impacts on the marine food web)?

The successful candidate will have experience and interest in building a research group using multiple investigatory techniques and datasets including remote sensing observations. A strong quantitative background in, and technical knowledge of, atmosphere-ocean interactions, teleconnections, and/or climate modes (and their manifestations in the marine domain) as applied to questions akin to those above is preferred.

The incumbent will serve as a Principal Investigator responsible for developing and funding a comprehensive research laboratory. This person would also provide guidance, training, and mentoring to 3-4 team members (as well as undergraduate interns) whose work emphasizes physical oceanography, ocean / coastal circulation, storm climatology, atmospheric science, and/or related fields focused in the Gulf of Maine / North Atlantic region. The incumbent should be an effective communicator of research results to federal program managers, the scientific community, blue economy stakeholders, and the public via oral presentations, written reports, and peer-reviewed publications. The incumbent will work collaboratively with biological oceanographers, coastal dynamics scientists, fisheries ecologists, climate-ecosystem researchers, and socio-economic scientists to apply results to local, regional, state, federal and international scientific assessments, ocean resource management discussions, and policy deliberations.

This position enjoys ~18 months of fully encumbered institutional salary thanks to a generous philanthropic gift, enabling runway support as the incumbent gets established. Thereafter, the position will receive 6 months per year of philanthropically supported institutional salary with the remaining 6 months of support being the responsibility of the incumbent to fundraise through competitively awarded grants. This is a full-time position located in Portland, ME USA at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute.

The successful candidate will function as part of an interdisciplinary research program focusing on climate, physical, biological, and socio-economic factors that affect the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and the communities that depend on it for their livelihoods and well-being.

Responsibilities/Tasks

• Conduct high-impact, independent scientific research in the fields of physical oceanography, atmosphere-ocean interactions, and/or related disciplines to understand physical changes (climate change-related and otherwise) in the Gulf of Maine
• Develop innovative methodologies using a variety of data sources (e.g., in situ, remote sensing, model output, reanalysis) to examine, quantify, and/or predict / project physical oceanographic conditions in the coastal and marine environments of the Gulf of Maine
• Support, guide, and lead large-scale successful research proposals in physical oceanography, atmosphere-ocean interactions, and/or related disciplines that foster interdisciplinary collaborations both across GMRI and with external collaborators (federal, state, academic, non-profit, and industry)
• Secure funding to support a research laboratory by serving as PI or co-PI on federal, state, and foundation grant proposals, and by partnering with GMRI’s Development team to engage with individual philanthropists, foundations, and corporate sponsors.
• Communicate research results to scientific, resource management, stakeholder, and public audiences through peer-reviewed papers, presentations, media appearances, etc.
• Serve in leadership capacities on local, state, regional, national, and international scientific bodies in the ocean/atmosphere/climate/physical oceanography domains
• Interact with internal groups and external partners to identify ways of improving, advancing, and better integrating work on climate change impacts, adaptation, and resilience of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and the communities that depend on it
• Occasional domestic and/or international travel to meetings, workshops, scientific conferences, as appropriate and funding allows Participate in GMRI Communications and Development, as well as Climate Center and Research Department activities, as appropriate.

Required Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in physical oceanography, geosciences, or a related field
• Research expertise in ocean-atmosphere-climate interactions and consequent impacts
• Knowledge of Gulf of Maine (as well as Gulf Stream & Labrador Current) circulation dynamics and/or climate modes affecting conditions in the Northwest Atlantic
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including a robust record of peer-reviewed publications and presentations to technical and non-technical audiences
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, lead a group of junior and early career scientists (including interns), and contribute as part of a larger, cross-organizational collaborative team
• Excellent time management and organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and timelines
• Fluent in English
• Eligible to work in the United States

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working on cross-disciplinary projects as part of multi-institutional collaboration teams
• Experience working in collaborative settings with physical, biological, and social scientists, natural resource managers, policymakers, blue economy business owners, and/or coastal community members
• Knowledge of coastal flooding and/or estuarine dynamics
• Established network of interdisciplinary experts to serve as project collaborators
• Experience in successfully securing competitively-awarded research funding
• Experience with a range of scientific approaches with diverse datasets (e.g., in situ, remote sensing, model output/reanalysis)
• Experience developing and communicating scientific results through novel, compelling approaches to data visualization

Diversity and Inclusion

GMRI has a long-standing policy and commitment to providing equal access and equal employment opportunities in all terms, conditions, processes, and benefits of employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. GMRI’s employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.

Applicants and employees are encouraged to voluntarily self-identify their race/ethnicity, gender, disability status and veteran status to assist GMRI in fulfilling various data reporting requirements of the federal government. This self-identification is completely voluntary, will be kept confidential and separate from your application data, and used only to meet federal reporting requirements. Providing or declining to provide this information will not result in adverse action of any kind.

Salary and Benefits

Gulf of Maine Research Institute offers a competitive salary and benefits package.

Application Instructions

All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter, CV / résumé, and a list of three professional references with their contact information. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue on a rolling basis until the successful candidate has been selected. The deadline to submit applications is December 20th, 2024.