Underwater Acoustician

AIS Inc•Beaufort, NC

3d•Onsite

About The Position

A.I.S., Inc. (AIS) is seeking an Acoustician to support NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center’s (SEFSC) Advanced Technology and Innovation Branch. This role supports the collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of passive acoustic datasets to assess marine soundscapes, species distribution, and anthropogenic impacts. The position integrates data processing, scientific analysis, and collaborative research to inform fisheries science and ecosystem management.

Requirements

Master’s degree in marine biology, oceanography, data science, or related field, OR Bachelor’s degree with 1+ year of relevant research experience
Experience analyzing passive acoustic data or working with acoustic datasets
Ability to participate in fieldwork and data collection activities
Strong written and oral communication skills
Experience working collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams
Basic programming or data analysis experience (e.g., R, MATLAB, Python, or similar)
Experience managing or working with large datasets
Ability to process and interpret complex acoustic datasets
Strong attention to detail in QA/QC and data validation workflows
Ability to manage multiple data streams and project priorities
Effective communication of technical findings to diverse audiences
Must be able to work in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

PhD in marine biology, acoustics, or related field
Extensive experience analyzing passive acoustic data
Experience with acoustic analysis tools (e.g., Raven Pro, MATLAB, R)
Experience with Python and/or cloud-based data platforms
Knowledge of signal processing techniques
Experience contributing to scientific publications or leading analyses

Responsibilities

Manage and analyze passive acoustic datasets collected across the southeastern U.S., ensuring continuity of long-term monitoring efforts
Coordinate with project partners to support year-round data collection, deployment planning, and data integrity
Assist with field collection of passive acoustic data as required
Perform QA/QC of acoustic datasets using established scientific and community standards
Maintain organized records of data availability, quality, and metadata
Manage and track datasets using structured data systems (e.g., spreadsheets, tracking tools)
Package and deliver acoustic datasets, metadata, and analytical outputs to national data archives (e.g., NCEI Passive Acoustic Archive)
Analyze acoustic data to characterize marine soundscapes, including biological, geological, and anthropogenic components
Assess occurrence and distribution of marine species, including fishes and marine mammals, using manual and automated detection methods
Analyze vessel noise and acoustic signatures to support ecosystem and anthropogenic impact studies
Support development of scientific products including reports, manuscripts, and proposals
Participate in interdisciplinary working groups and collaborative research efforts
Assist in proposal development for extramural funding opportunities
Support outreach and stakeholder engagement activities related to passive acoustic monitoring
Prepare for and participate in scientific meetings, workshops, and symposia