Research Assistant – OOI Field Technician
 (Ocean Observing Initiative, OOI)
Background Information: Oregon State University is embarking on a large scale, multi-year project, the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI), in a partnership with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO).  The first five years of this project will be spent in the design, development, testing, and deployment of a research infrastructure, followed by an operational period of twenty five years. OOI details can be found at www.coas.oregonstate.edu/OOIatOSU.html
Position:  The successful candidate for this position will prepare scientific instrumentation for at sea deployment based on collaboration with OOI research scientists. The position will deploy, recover, and maintain OOI instrumentation. The position will create and present technical reports describing observatory instrumentation performance. The position requires an ability to work both independently and collaboratively with scientists, engineers, and project managers from across the OOI.
Appointment: Full-time 12-month (1.0 FTE) fixed term appointment. Annual salary is commensurate with experience. Duration is one year, but may be extended depending on grant funding and satisfactory job performance. Reappointment is at the discretion of the principal investigators and the Dean.
Responsibilities and Duties:
Work with a team of oceanographers to implement science and research requirements, including the preparation of a wide range of oceanographic research instruments for deployment, including autonomous underwater gliders, moorings, benthic platforms, and sensors used in the OOI. Organize and perform lab activities to maintain and test a wide range of oceanographic instrumentation. Ensure operational quality standards are achieved including; plan, conduct, and document tests to verify that scientific performance requirements are met. Prepare and present technical reports describing observatory elements, oceanographic cruises and data quality control procedures. Actively participate in field operations, including equipment operation, maintenance, and installation cruises.
Qualifications: 
Bachelor's degree in oceanography, biological, chemical, environmental science, engineering or related field. Experience operating or maintaining research instrumentation. Examples include autonomous underwater gliders, AUVs, winched profilers or similar mobile platforms, and oceanographic sensors. Ability to work effectively at sea for periods of up to 2-3 weeks twice annually and 2-3 days monthly which involves lifting/carrying/moving instrument packages weighing 30-100 lbs, valid driver’s license; ability to travel. Demonstrated organizational skills; good oral, written, and presentation communication skills. Proficiency with Microsoft Office software (Word and Excel). Ability to work as part of a team and maintain effective working relationships with large group of scientists, engineers, and OOI staff.
Preferred:  Degree in oceanography or related field.  Experience with oceanographic research instrumentation. Oceanographic cruise experience. Experience working at sea with over the side equipment. Experience with data and material quality control best practices. Experience with formal design and documentation procedures and processes in large construction projects. AAUS certified scuba diver. OSHA approved forklift operator. A demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.

COAS, University and Community:
Oregon State University is Oregon’s largest public research university. COAS is one of the world’s leading oceanographic and atmospheric sciences graduate research institutions, with more than 200 faculty and staff members, more than 90 graduate students, and a wide variety of assets including an excellent computing infrastructure, state-of-the-art analytical facilities, and two research vessels.
OSU is located in Corvallis, a community of 53,000 people situated in the Willamette Valley between Portland and Eugene. Ocean beaches, lakes, rivers, forests, high desert, the rugged Cascade and Coast Ranges, and the urban amenities of the Portland metropolitan area are all within a 100‐mile drive of Corvallis.  OSU has approximately 18,000 undergraduate and 3,800 graduate students. OSU provides outstanding leadership opportunities for people interested in promoting and enhancing diversity, nurturing creativity and building community.
Application Closing Date: The closing date is June 28, 2011.
To Apply:  Applications for employment should consist of a resume, salary requirement, and references (including contact information). To access application instructions, go to http://oregonstate.edu/jobs, posting 0007466. Inquiries about the position may be directed via email to Tom Kearney (tkearney@coas.oregonstate.edu).     
Oregon State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer