Careers


Port Captain

The Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS) is accepting applications for a Port Captain for the 170 ft., 861GT oceanographic research vessel Atlantic Explorer. The R/V Atlantic Explorer is part of the American Research Fleet (ARF) with operational funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation. Candidates should have an appreciation for science and an interest in a non-commercial marine career within the academic and research community.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the RV Atlantic Explorer and shore support facilities.

Duties and Responsibilities will include:

  • Long range planning, logistics & coordination with the vessel Captain, Marine Technical Services Manager and Chief Scientist for all cruises; Cruise mobilization & demobilization coordination, purchasing; record keeping; and assisting the Marine Superintendent.
  • Manage all required Safety Management Plans. This includes annual audits and revisions of the Vessel Security Plan, Ship Safety Management Plan and UNOLS RVSS Appendix A & B.
  • Track and manage a crew training program as required by regulatory bodies and safety plans.
  • Duties during shipyard periods, including a working knowledge of ship's systems, construction techniques and maintenance requirements. Preparation of shipyard work list and request for quotations; shipyard selection; oversight of all shipyard work; management of expenses and shipyard accounting.
  • Oversight of the ship's officers, and 10+ ship's crew, temporary relief crew and
  • Coordinate crew hiring and scheduling with the Marine Operations
  • Maintenance of all documents/surveys required by the US Coast Guard, American Bureau of Shipping and University National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS).
  • Liaison with various Bermuda Government departments, as
  • Assist the Marine Superintendent with management support and leadership in solving other matters
  • Possibly sail as Chief Mate, Master, or Chief Engineer up to 60 days/year as needed.

Qualifications:

  • Successful candidate will have 5 years’ experience in research vessel operations with a thorough working knowledge of U.S. Coast Guard and ABS regulations, as well as a willingness to collaborate with marine scientists to achieve their research goals.
  • S. citizenship is required, as is eligibility for a TWIC card.
  • Successful candidate will be a licensed Captain (1600 tons gross weight, with Seafarers Training, Certification and Watchkeeping endorsement) who can sail in a relief role when needed.
  • Prior experience at the Port Captain level, while desirable, is not required.
  • Candidates with experience in engineering and marine technical services will also be considered.

If you wish to discuss the position prior to applying, please contact Murray Stein, Marine Superintendent, (murray.stein@bios.asu.edu).

Interested candidates should email their applications including a cover letter, resume and three references to bios.hr@bios.asu.edu

We are currently reviewing applications and the position will remain open until filled.

 


Marine Science Technician

The Oceanographic Technical Services Group at BIOS seeks an experienced and highly motivated sea-going Marine Science Technician to join its team. Reporting to the Oceanographic Technical Services Manager, the successful applicant will possess the desire and ability to work cooperatively with crew and shipboard scientists to achieve the ultimate goal of successful missions at sea. We are looking for candidates who already possess seagoing experience and a proven track record of technical support for ocean science on research vessels.

Main Duties and Responsibilities will include:

  • Provide comprehensive technical and logistical support for all science-related activities aboard the BIOS Research Vessel Atlantic Explorer.
  • Assume major responsibilities for seagoing instrumentation and systems.
  • Operate, maintain, and repair oceanographic instruments, navigation and communication systems.
  • Coordinate calibration and maintenance schedules for instrumentation and equipment.
  • Operate, maintain, and repair shipboard IT network, data acquisition and satellite internet systems.
  • Design, construct, and troubleshoot new electronic and mechanical systems and modify existing systems to meet changing needs.
  • Repairs to both mechanical and electrical equipment as needed.
  • Oversee cruise mobilization and demobilization efforts.
  • Train visiting scientists and junior marine technicians in properly operating shipboard instruments and systems.
  • Lead or oversee deck operations such as the deployment and recovery of CTDs, deep-water moorings, gliders, MOCNESS, sediment grabs etc.
  • Serve as liaison between science party and ship's crew, providing pleasant customer service and technical support to scientists before, during, and after their cruises.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four (4) year college or university in Marine, Physical, or Engineering Science, or a combination of technical schooling and relevant job experience.
  • Must be a self-starter, able to organize their time, set priorities and multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
  • Must communicate well with peers, take directions, and follow policies and procedures carefully.
  • Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team, while producing work of a very high standard.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and a positive/flexible attitude is required.
  • Ability to deal with diverse groups of scientists, engineers, and technicians in a professional manner.
  • Ability to carry out assignments and projects on land and at-sea with minimal supervision.
  • Must have mechanical skills and an aptitude in the use of basic hand and power tools.
  • Demonstrated ability to utilize advanced test equipment in order to troubleshoot complex systems on ships.
  • Demonstrated ability to work on the deck of a research vessel and lead scientific operations.
  • Experience working aboard UNOLS research vessels would be beneficial.

The successful candidate will be required to typically spend around 150 days per year at sea. Rotations are usually in the region of 90 days and are followed by around 30 days of time off. Overtime while at sea is accrued and can be combined with 15 vacation days to enable off-rotation periods to be paid. The remaining balance of overtime is taken as additional remuneration. This is a rotational position where ongoing duties are split between multiple technicians. Salary will be commensurate with experience.

Interested candidates should email their applications including a cover letter, resume/CV and three references to:

Human Resources, Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS)
17 Biological Station, St. George’s GE01, Bermuda

Email: HR@bios.edu

BIOS is an equal opportunity employer and operates a drug-free workplace and learning environment.

 


Postdoctoral Scientist

The Plankton Ecology laboratory at the of Arizona State University Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences is looking for a post-doctoral researcher to join their team to study marine fungal ecology and processes in the Sargasso Sea. The post-doc will be integrated into the group led by PIs Leocadio Blanco-Bercial and Amy Maas, focusing on eukaryotic plankton ecology, evolution, and biogeochemical cycling. This dynamic laboratory has several federally-funded grants, five graduate students, one research assistant, and various undergraduate students. The post-doc will additionally interact with the broader plankton team https://bios.asu.edu/research/projects/microbes-plankton/, and their research will be embedded in the BIOS-SCOPE project https://scope.bios.asu.edu/ with collaborators from the US and Europe.

Candidates should have a PhD in biology, oceanography or related field, and previous experience in microbial culturing (fungal preferred). The candidate is expected to participate in several short oceanographic cruises per year (from BIOS), will be responsible for maintaining the growing culture collection of marine fungi at BIOS, and will develop/participate in field characterization and experimental analysis of planktonic fungal ecology and biogeochemical function. Although this research line will build off of ongoing projects, there will be freedom to explore new avenues within the topic. The postdoc will be encouraged (and supported) to apply for independent funding as principal or co-principal investigator. The successful candidate will be able to take advantage of the opportunities and facilities offered at ASU BIOS, including access to monthly oceanographic cruises, networking opportunities associated with the high flux of visitors to BIOS, and top-of-the-line instrumentation.

The position is for 12 months, with a possibility of extension based on performance. Salary includes a generous benefits package. Due to the nature and obligations of the job, place of residence will be Bermuda.

Interested candidates should have demonstrated publication experience with first-author publications.

To apply, please submit electronically a cover letter, detailed curriculum vitae, contact details of two references, and a two-page (single-spaced, Times New Roman 12) statement of past research and future plans.

The applicant package should be emailed to bios.hr@bios.asu.edu; leocadio@asu.edu and amy.maas@asu.edu (please reference the job title in the subject line of email).

We will begin reviewing applications as of July 31, 2024

The Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS) is a U.S. not-for-profit marine research and educational organization based in Bermuda. For over 100 years, BIOS has been committed to seeking and sharing fundamental knowledge of the oceans and complex environmental issues through exploration, hands-on programs, cutting-edge technology, and state-of-the-art research methods.

ASU BIOS is an equal opportunity employer with a drug-free workplace and an excellent learning environment.

 


Faculty (Open Rank) Oceanographic/Atmospheric Studies

Arizona State University: Office of the University Provost Tempe: College of Global Futures: School of Ocean Futures

Description
The School of Ocean Futures andthe Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (ASU BIOS) in the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory (GFL) at Arizona State University invite applications for a full-time, academic year (August – May), faculty appointment in ocean sciences in the field of autonomous robotic oceanographic observations. The position includes overseeing and expanding the existing glider fleet. This is an open rank position, and the appointment can be made at the junior (tenure track) or senior (tenured) rank depending on the experience of the candidate.  The anticipated start date for this position is August 2024.

ASU BIOS is planning a strategic expansion of its autonomous vehicle research activities and will look to the successful candidate to help chart and guide the program’s development.  The successful candidate will develop an innovative, extramurally funded, research program that makes use of autonomous systems for a wide variety of oceanographic observations. The candidate will also contribute to the undergraduate and graduate curricula through teaching and mentoring, and have a commitment to engagement, outreach and leadership.

Scientific activities at ASU BIOS are wide-ranging, collaborative and include oceanographic and atmospheric time-series studies and a broad range of coral reef research. Major long-term initiatives include: (1) Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS); (2) Hydrostation S program; (3) BIOS-SCOPE; and, (4) the M/V Oleander project. The institution supports the operations of the RV Atlantic Explorer, a UNOLS research vessel making 20 short cruises to the time series stations each year. ASU BIOS also operates autonomous underwater gliders equipped with sensor systems for physical and biogeochemical oceanographic research, the Mid-Atlantic Glider Initiative and Collaboration (MAGIC).

The successful candidate will take advantage of the opportunities and facilities offered at ASU BIOS, with emphasis on expansion and integration of the existing glider program into their research and will assume a tenure-track faculty position at a rank based on experience in the new School of Ocean Futures at ASU. ASU BIOS and the School of Ocean Futures are central entities within the Global Futures Laboratory for innovative activities related to discovery, learning, solutions, and engagement related to the ocean. ASU BIOS and SOF focus on exploring future states of the oceans and their impact on global society. In Tempe, AZ, the school resides in a new, state of the art high performance research facility dedicated in April 2022, the Rob and Melani Walton Center for Planetary Health.

The Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences is located in St. George’s Parish at the east end of Bermuda.  The primary residence of the successful candidate can be in Tempe, AZ or Bermuda.

The Global Futures Laboratory is committed to inclusive excellence. The successful candidate is expected to contribute to and enhance this commitment.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:
Junior Rank

  • Doctorate in marine sciences or engineering
  • Demonstrated potential to establish an innovative externally-funded research program
  • Demonstrated strong research experience using gliders with a future commitment to integrating autonomous vehicle observations of ocean physics, chemistry and biology into novel, systems-based ocean science research projects
  • Demonstrated excellence in teaching

Senior Rank

  • In addition to above, a senior candidate will demonstrate an established internationally recognized research program involving autonomous ocean observations and if applicable, an established multi-year record of teaching undergraduate and graduate students. They will have a service record commensurate with a senior tenured position.

Desired Qualifications:
Junior Rank

  • Direct experience of implementing glider and autonomous platform missions for ocean research
  • Experience working in a transdisciplinary environment, and research that complements the expertise of existing faculty and will expand our overall research and instructional capabilities
  • Demonstrated success meeting the needs of diverse student populations and/or reaching out to diverse communities

Senior Rank

  • In addition to the above, the senior candidate will demonstrate a record of sustained research accomplishments and project leadership in the field of autonomous ocean observations. The senior candidate will also have held leadership functions and demonstrate sustained service to the oceanographic community and involvement in international programs.

Application Instructions
Review of applications will begin on January 16, 2024; if not filled, applications will be evaluated every two weeks until the search is closed. To apply, please submit electronically (1) A cover letter, including the names and e-mail addresses of three references; (2) a curriculum vitae with a list of publications and extramural funding; (3) a succinct (2-5 pages) outline of future research vision using autonomous systems in the marine environment;  (4) a 1-page statement of teaching philosophy and interests. Inquiries and nominations should be directed to Susanne Neuer (susanne.neuer@asu.edu,) Director of School of Ocean Futures, and/or William Curry (wcurry3@bios.asu.edu), President and CEO of ASU BIOS.

Apply now