Tenure Track Assistant, Associate, and Senior Scientist - Marine Robotics/Machine Learning

Job Summary

The Department of Applied Ocean Physics & Engineering at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (http://www.whoi.edu/main/aope) invites qualified candidates to apply for one or more tenure-track or tenured scientific staff positions to initiate new and expand existing programs in field robotics and machine learning with applications to marine environments. Areas of particular interest include but are not restricted to:

• marine robotics
• simultaneous localization and mapping
• multi-robot coordination and path planning
• adaptive exploration and sampling
• underwater manipulation
• development of novel in-situ biological, chemical and physical sensors
• data exploration and visualization
• machine learning applied to oceanographic data and models
• machine learning applied to robotic systems
• computer vision
• life-long learning
• autonomy
• scene understanding and perception

Essential Functions

We invite candidates interested in developing new robotic/machine learning systems as well as more foundational robotics/machine learning research. An ideal candidate will have demonstrated research experience in marine environments or challenging atmospheric, terrestrial or space environments. WHOI operates two sea-going vessels and a coastal research vessel, in addition to a variety of moored, towed, remotely operated, and autonomous platforms and vehicles. Its facilities support rapid prototyping, testing and deployment of new instrumentation and robotic systems.

Opportunities for interdisciplinary research exist and collaborations are encouraged with colleagues in the other science departments, centers, and labs, as well as with researchers in the broader Woods Hole scientific community, including other institutions focused on marine research. WHOI’s Scientific Staff are expected to provide for their salaries from grants and contracts. The Institution provides internal funding opportunities for developing innovative research projects and salary support when no other funding is available. Candidates hired at the pre-tenure level will receive an initial appointment for four years.  Success of WHOI's scientific staff is underpinned by an extensive mentoring network.

Education & Experience

Applicants should have a doctoral degree and a record of scholarly publications commensurate with their career stage. Scientific Staff members are expected to develop independent, externally-funded, and internationally-recognized research programs. They also have the option of advising graduate students and teaching courses through the MIT/WHOI Joint Program in Oceanography/Applied Ocean Science and Engineering.

The Institution is located on Cape Cod in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, a world-renowned center of excellence in marine, biomedical, and environmental science, with proximity to the research hubs of Boston, MA and Providence, RI. Its mission aims to advance our understanding of the ocean and its interaction with the Earth system, and to communicate this understanding for the benefit of society. WHOI is the largest private, non-profit oceanographic institution in the world, with staff, postdocs and graduate students numbering approximately 1,000. Together with an additional ~500 affiliates associated with the scientific endeavors of the Institution, WHOI is home to a vibrant international community and has a strong support system for foreign nationals.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral to WHOI’s academic excellence and leadership in the global scientific community. WHOI stands committed to a sustained Institution-wide effort to advance inclusion and belonging throughout all levels of the Institution. We strive for a diverse and inclusive workforce, and particularly encourage women, minorities, veterans, those with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

WHOI offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical and dental plans, a generous employer contribution retirement plan, disability and life insurance, a child care subsidy program, vacation time, ten paid holidays, flexible scheduling and work arrangements, and family illness days. WHOI also provides dual career services for assisting spouses or partners. We have a dedicated team who will work with applicants to identify and explore available options within WHOI, the broader community, including the research hubs of Boston and Providence.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please visit http://careers.whoi.edu and respond to Job ID 2020-1361.  Applicants should upload a cover letter, curriculum vitae (CV), three-page research statement, names of four references, copies of up to three relevant publications, and a one-page statement that speaks to past and/or potential contributions to and experience with diversity, equity and inclusion, such as mentoring, committee service, research, outreach or teaching.

Review of applications will begin on January 15, 2021.

WHOI is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans/M/F. We encourage Veterans and those with Disabilities to apply. Applications are reviewed confidentially. Applicants that require accommodation in the job application process are encouraged to contact us at (508) 289-2253 or email eeo@whoi.edu for assistance.