Bioacoustician Specialist

Ocean Associates Incorporated•Miami, FL

18h•$52 - $62•Onsite

About The Position

Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI) is seeking a Bioacoustician to provide services to NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal and Turtle Division in Miami, Florida. The role supports research and management of marine mammals and turtles, with emphasis on passive acoustics research for North Atlantic right, Rice’s, and sperm whales. Work includes acoustic data analysis, field operations, laboratory and data-system management, project administration, and collaboration with program and center leadership. Travel is anticipated for fieldwork, meetings, workshops, and conferences. The position is full-time, with benefits, and is scheduled to start September 30, 2026, or as soon as possible.

Requirements

Ph.D. from an accredited college or university in a field directly related to the position, with emphasis in acoustics, fisheries, oceanography, natural science, or mathematics.
Ten years of experience in related fields.
Experience analyzing anthropogenic noise in the marine environment using acoustic metadata databases and scientific bioacoustics software, such as Pamguard or Raven, to analyze cetacean sounds.
Experience programming in MATLAB and/or R.
Experience building, maintaining, and repairing real-time acoustic hydrophones, such as towed hydrophone arrays and sonobuoys, and autonomous drifting and/or moored hydrophones.
Experience implementing legislative mandates, such as the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act, for highly endangered marine mammal species such as Rice’s whales or North Atlantic right whales.

Nice To Haves

Experience in NOAA Fisheries cetacean bioacoustics research.

Responsibilities

Develop and manage passive acoustics research projects focused on key cetacean species to support stock assessments and habitat protection.
Process, analyze, and interpret passive acoustic data to detect, localize, and classify biological and anthropogenic sound sources.
Investigate spatiotemporal distributions, core habitats, and migratory routes to assess and mitigate risks from human activities.
Prepare technical reports, peer-reviewed manuscripts, and professional presentations for management counterparts and leadership.
Construct, service, and maintain acoustic hardware, including moored and drifting hydrophones and towed arrays, as well as oceanographic gear.
Oversee laboratory infrastructure and data storage.
Plan and participate in field missions to deploy, retrieve, and operate hydrophones, towed arrays, sonobuoys, and oceanographic gliders.
Conduct real-time acoustic monitoring, visual observations, and standard oceanographic data collection; operate government vehicles as needed.
Manage acoustic data pipelines by uploading metadata and maintaining deployment and detection databases on SEFSC servers.
Support project planning, daily laboratory administration, and operational workflows across the Passive Acoustic Ecology Program.
Represent the acoustics team in periodic SEFSC, MMTD, and center leadership meetings to align goals and share program updates.