Physical Oceanographer

Job Description

The Ocean Physics Department (OPD) conducts seagoing research into the fundamental fluid dynamics of the ocean, including its interactions with the atmosphere and its role in the climate system. OPD also engages in research focused primarily on the study of small‑scale to meso‑scale oceanographic physical processes, the design and development of unique instruments for use in these studies, and the education of undergraduate and graduate students through instruction and employment.

See Yourself at APL (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). as a member of the Ocean Physics Department! We are seeking a full‑time Physical Oceanographer to join the team. This position has a salary range of $106,200 to $109,500 per year ($8,855 to $9,125 monthly), along with great employment benefits and competitive total compensation incentives.

The Physical Oceanographer will specialize in unique forecast modeling, using observational data for calibration and validation techniques, and will develop useful metrics, indicators, and information products for a wide variety of stakeholders. The incumbent hired will work within the Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems (NANOOS) and the Washington Ocean Acidification Center, to maintain real‑time Live Ocean forecast model fields and will be responsible for study design and planning, fundraising, execution of research activities and analysis, and dissemination of results and data to the scientific community and the general public.

Projects are primarily aimed at providing decision‑critical information to shellfish growers and state and tribal resource managers. Principal research tools include the existing state‑of‑the‑art oceanographic forecast model, Live Ocean.

• Conceives and develops technical strategy and plans research to answer complex scientific questions, including the development of new model analysis tools.
• Develops collaborative and synergistic research relationships and coordinates research plans with peer scientists within APL, elsewhere at the UW, and at other institutions in the US and abroad.
• Assesses the feasibility of proposed methods and tests.

• Oversees the maintenance and continual improvement of the suite of programs required for the daily forecast model and scientific hindcasts. Participation as chief scientist or part of a collaborative science team.
• Monitors the computing resources required for the model simulations, storage, and dissemination of output, and pre‑ and post‑processing tasks. Work across a variety of computing platforms, including supercomputers.
• Maintains a database of readily available model output for the broader oceanographic community and the general public.
• Conducts and/or manages data quality control, analysis, and synthesis in the context of past results and scientific literature on theoretical, numerical, and experimental investigations to arrive at scientific conclusions.
• Shares results with the scientific community through data archive preparation and documentation, conference presentations, and articles in peer‑reviewed journals.

• Pursues research funding opportunities through typical channels (NOAA, ONR, NSF, NASA, Washington State) and any additional emergent relationships with additional sponsors.
• Writes and submits single‑ and multi‑investigator proposals, to include articulation of the scientific question and methods used to explore its answer, and development of a detailed, comprehensive research project plan and budget.
• Maintains excellent relationships with external and internal research partners and funders, including PIs at other institutions.

• Management of grant spending (purchases, salaries, overhead).
• Prepares reports for sponsors over the course of the project as well as at the close of each project.

Doctoral degree in Oceanography or related field and 6 years of related experience.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.