Research Scientist​/Engineer Senior

Job Description The Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) has an outstanding opportunity for a Research Scientist/Engineer Senior to join the Environmental and Information Systems Department.

About this Opportunity Reporting to the Senior Principal Oceanographer, the Research Scientist/Engineer Senior will develop and lead research programs that consist of common tools and teams applied to a diverse range of projects and funding agencies.  The incumbent selected will plan and execute ongoing funded projects through grants and contracts.  The projects include complex and novel tasks that require the development of new sensors, platforms, and sensing paradigms to answer fundamental questions in oceanography and to advance the use of autonomous underwater vehicles.  

Specifically, the research will advance the use of long-endurance autonomous instrument platforms through sensor integration, development of advanced shoreside and embedded control algorithms, and adaptive autonomous deployment and recovery methods.  The research will focus on the synergistic use of autonomous sampling methodology to produce data that support ocean modeling efforts, and will support the study of physical, acoustic, and other applied oceanographic processes of basic and applied concerns in both coastal and deep ocean settings.

Key Responsibilities:

Research Planning and Fundraising (20% FTE):
• Conceives research and develops new technologies to address scientific questions.
• Develops research plans/proposals that are fundable and maximize project successes.
• Pursues research funding opportunities through regular federal channels (NSF, NASA, DOE, ONR) and any additional emergent relationships with other sponsors (including local or state governments, philanthropic organizations, or companies).
• Writes and submits single- and multi-investigator proposals, which include articulation of the scientific question and methods used to explore its answer, and the development of a detailed, comprehensive research project plan and budget.
• Develops research projects with collaborators within APL, within UW, and across external organizations.
• Oversees budgets and adheres to sponsor requirements and deliverables.

Research Activities (50% FTE):
• Executes funded research projects.
• Oversees engineering development including technology conception, design, fabrication, laboratory testing, and field demonstration.
• Performs data collection, processing, analysis, and interpretation.
• Develops and writes software programs to control underwater platforms, directs their sampling, and interprets their measurements
• Oversees and directs engineering and science teams to meet project goals.

Personnel Management, Mentoring, and Education (10% FTE):
• Supervises and mentors junior engineers and scientists.
• Provides research experience and outreach to undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdocs.
• Engages with and contributes to the department and lab.

Sponsor Engagement (10% FTE):
• Coordinates with sponsors for project updates and sponsor meetings throughout the project, including project completion.
• Cultivates and maintains rapport with applied research sponsors.

Research Communication (10% FTE):
• Communicates research results through presentations (oral and poster).
• Creates outreach materials or disseminates publicity from suitable projects.
• Writes and publishes scientific reports, papers, and presentations.
• Files disclosures of inventions or patent applications as appropriate.

Required Qualifications To be considered for this opportunity, your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum…