Position Information Department Marine Mammal Institute (AMM) Classification Title Bio Science Research Tech 2 Job Title Biological Sciences Research Technician 2 (Internal Employment Opportunity) Appointment Type Classified Staff Job Location Newport Benefits Eligible Full-Time, benefits eligible Remote or Hybrid option? Yes Employment Category Limited Duration Job Summary This is an Internal Employment Opportunity.
This recruitment will be used to fill one full-time, 9-month. Biological Sciences Research Technician 2 position for the Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University (OSU). This is a limited duration appointment expected to last approximately 9-months from the appointment begin date.
The Biological Sciences Research Technician 2 (BSRT2) position will be an Acoustic Analyst on the NASA-funded Holistic Assessment of Living marine resources off Oregon (HALO) project. The Acoustic Analyst will be responsible for review and annotation of baleen whale vocalizations in acoustic recordings collected off Oregon since 2021, and the development, training, and testing of a customized classification algorithm to automatically detect baleen whale calls in acoustic recordings. Additionally, the BSRT2 will oversee data management, and contribute to data summary, synthesis, and reporting. Why OSU? Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!
Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.
FACTS:
• Top 1.4% university in the world
• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
• 7 that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
• 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
• 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
• 217k+ alumni worldwide
• For more interesting facts about OSU visit:
Locations:
Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.
Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.
Total Rewards Package:
Oregon State University offers a with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
• Retirement savings paid by the university.
• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.
• Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.
Future and current OSU employees can use the to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU. Key Responsibilities 70% Data processing
1. Manual review and annotation of sound files for baleen whale vocalizations in Raven Pro to develop a “ground truth” dataset for detector evaluation
2. Long-term spectral average analysis in Raven Expedition to obtain noise measurements and acoustic indices
3. Training, tuning, and review of a custom baleen whale call classifier using BirdNET Analyzer
4. Organization and management of acoustic data
15% Data analysis
5. Evaluation of automatic detection and classification performance in R and BirdNET
6. Summary of daily, seasonal, and annual call detection timeseries in R
7. Organization and management of the derived call detection timeseries
8. Alignment of acoustic detection data with other physical and biological oceanographic timeseries data
15% Data synthesis and reporting
9. Literature review
10. Summary and visualization of acoustic detection timeseries data
11. Contribution to reports, presentations, and manuscripts resulting from acoustic data analysis
What We Require
Two years of college-level courses in (specific field of biological science) and one year of experience related to the area of assignment at the Biological Research Technician 1 level; OR an equivalent combination of training and experience.
What You Will Need Two years of college-level courses in biology or environmental science and one year of experience related to the area of assignment at the Biological Research Technician 1 level; OR an equivalent combination of training and experience.Experience reviewing, identifying, and annotating biological signals in acoustic data, including experience identifying baleen whale vocalizations
Proficiency in Raven Pro acoustic analysis software
Experience implementing and reviewing automatic detection and classification tools for identifying biological signals in acoustic data (e.g., BirdNET Analyzer)
Proficiency in data processing, manipulation, analysis, and visualization in R statistical software
Experience managing large volumes of acoustic data
Excellent organizational skills
Strong written and verbal science communication skills What We Would Like You to Have Bachelor’s degree in biology or environmental science
At least one year of research experience in bioacoustics data processing and analysis
Experience analyzing and summarizing baleen whale acoustic detection patterns off Oregon Working Conditions / Work Schedule The BSRT2 position will be hybrid, with the on-site location in at Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, Oregon. The BSRT2 will work largely independently, and have regular communication via email and both in-person and virtual meetings with the Supervisor. Pay Method Hourly Pay Period 16th - 15th of the following month Pay Date Last working day of the month Min Salary $17.53 Max Salary $25.44 Link to Position Description