UC San Diego Hiring for Field Research Manager – at Oakland, CA  Full Time

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The “Ocean Time Series Group” OTSG, http://mooring.ucsd.edu is a multidisciplinary group which develops tools, methods, and instruments, and conducts field research for collecting long and multidisciplinary time series in both the coastal and global ocean. The group participates in a multitude of projects and this work involves a wide range of design, analysis, research, and documentation activities in support of the development and operations. Activities of the group include instrument and experiment design, electronic and mechanical engineering and construction, execution of field experiments, management of real-time data flows, calibration, and processing of data. The research and science are done in collaboration with colleagues from various disciplines at a wide variety of research institutions.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Administers and coordinates all finance, human resources and facilities and other operational activities for small to mid-sized research programs. Administers major program components, and all of the programs’ operational requirements. Develops and organizes relationships, meetings, collaborations with partner organizations and institution, and public forums. Works under direction of Principal Investigator to establish center agenda, funding, objectives.

The OTSG Field Research Manager coordinates and leads all facets of OTSG’s field efforts which are at the core of a diverse range multi- year projects sponsored by a variety of state and federal agencies. The field campaigns are carried out on the US West Coast, throughout the nation, and at international sites. The manager’s responsibilities include in situ site deployment, maintenance, and data collection of instruments observing the ocean throughout the water column, as well as atmospheric conditions at the ocean surface and seafloor sensors.

In most cases this uses fixed moorings which are deployed by research vessels or smaller boats, and requires coordination with the agencies or entities operating the vessels and staff onboard. The manager creates budgets for field work and coordinates with the PI to meet program objectives each season, builds and maintains relationships with vendors, forms and leads specialized teams in the field, and works closely with engineering staff in the OTSG and partner organizations. The manager is responsible for ensuring all regulations and safety procedures are adhered to and assures research-quality data collection.

Manager will exercise judgment, initiative, and resourcefulness in making decisions, consulting on occasion with academic supervisors; and prepare written reports and articles on laboratory and/or field experimental work, techniques, and technology involved in research projects.

The position requires sustained, frequent contributions of original ideas of major importance in the prosecution of laboratory and field phases of the team’s research.

The position requires involvement in the scientific, regulatory, administrative and budgetary goals of the projects, excellent management, communication, reporting skills, and strict adherence to timelines and milestones.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Academic background and experience in selected area of research preferred. Advanced degree oceanography or a related discipline, or a combination of education and work experience.

• Demonstrated performance in oceanographic moored instrument testing, operation, and calibration, under stressful and difficult environmental conditions (e.g., at sea).

• Experience in developing logistical support plans for complex operations at sea.

• Thorough knowledge of administrative, budgetary, human resources and financial principles and practices.

• Extensive experience using Microsoft Project, Microsoft Excel, and similar tools to schedule projects, allocate personnel resources, and track progress and budget status.

• Proven ability to lead complex field campaigns, including various different types of instrumentation, managing teams, ensuring safety of all participants and robust and reliable data collection.

• Proven program planning and management of projects. Ability to anticipate project needs and propose alternative solutions. Proven ability to independently execute field projects through the independent planning, organizing, and performing of experiments.

• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects, deadlines, conflicts in an environment of shifting priorities and resource and staff constraints.

• Solid fundraising experience.

• Familiarity with at-sea operations for CTD and mooring work.

• Experience in processing, analysis and presentation of data from oceanographic instruments.

• Competence in designing, preparing, and deploying oceanographic moorings.

• Demonstrated ability and extensive experience with NOAA PASS ship request system.

• Strong oral and written communication skills. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including tact, diplomacy, and flexibility in order to work effectively with staff, research teams and key stakeholders. Ability to problem solve and resolve conflict.

• Strong ability to think creatively and independently on concepts requiring advanced analytical skills. Demonstrated ability in independent thinking, innovative decision-making, consensus building among team members.

• Strong ability to work collaboratively with internal and external peers and managers. Demonstrated ability to coordinate and manage multi-disciplinary, multi-investigator field research projects.

• Excellent problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Demonstrated ability to think and act strategically.

• Expert knowledge and experience in managing small and large projects.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Job offer contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

• Must be willing and able to spend 1-4 months in the field, sometimes under adverse weather conditions.

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

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UC San Diego is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

For the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20
For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

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