Overview The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) is a nonprofit science corporation dedicated to understanding how changes in climate, land use and invasive species impact ecology. For the next three decades NEON will collect a comprehensive range of ecological data on a continental scale across 20 eco-climatic domains representing US ecosystems. NEON will use cutting edge technology including an airborne observation platform that will capture images of regional landscapes and vegetation; mobile, relocatable, and fixed data collection sites with automated ground sensors to monitor soil and atmosphere; and trained field crews who will observe and sample populations of diverse organisms and collect soil and water data. A leading edge cyberinfrastructure will calibrate, store and publish this information. The Observatory will be the first of its kind designed to detect and enable forecasting of ecological change at continental scales.
This is a fulltime position; however, we will also accept applications from candidates who are interested in taking a sabbatical from their current position. Summary: The Instrument Engineer/Scientist will be part of the Aquatic Team that is responsible for developing a national program to assess physical, chemical, and biological changes in streams and lakes over 30 years. The Team will define sensor installation designs; oversee sensor construction; review/revise science measurements; document field procedures; document data product procedures; train personnel; and perform data QA/QC in order to produce high quality data products for the research, education, and decision making communities. Specifically, the Instrument Engineer/Scientist is responsible for designing and documenting sensor installations/mounts for NEON aquatic sites. The aquatic sensor suite includes water quality multisondes, nutrient analyzers, water height and flow sensors, distributed water temperature and PAR sensors, and atmospheric chemistry and micromet sensors. NEON aquatic sites include small wadeable streams, large navigable rivers, and small lakes throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico – sites span a gradient of environmental conditions: extreme low-flows to tropical-flood cycles. In the first year, the Instrument Engineer/Scientist will be responsible for developing and documenting a “playbook” of sensor installations, including to-scale blueprints, materials lists, and construction requirements. Subsequently, this position will be responsible for modifying the designs from the playbook for site-specific installations and providing technical oversight during the construction phase. Modifications to the design playbook will also be documented (e.g. similar to well files for groundwater well installations). This position is not responsible for power or communication designs to the sensors, but may collaborate with the NEON Engineering Team to optimize these aspects of the work. In addition, the Instrument Engineer/Scientist will document sensor maintenance and field-calibration plans, in collaboration with NEON’s Engineering and Calibration (CVAL) Teams. This position will develop, document and implement detailed designs and analytical protocols for in- situ sensor related data products (e.g. sensor drift statistics; data QA, gap-filling and correction; algorithms for high level data products). The Instrument Engineer/Scientist will work with an interdisciplinary team of ecologists, mechanical and electrical engineers, computing engineers, and other scientists to design, develop, test, and implement statistically valid protocols to produce data products that will enable researchers to investigate the impact of climate change, land-use change, invasive species, and unsustainable water use on freshwater ecosystems of North America. The Instrument Engineer/Scientist is expected to produce reports and publications of NEON designs, procedures, and protocols and is encouraged to collaborate with the research community to investigate continental scale ecology. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: • Design and document sensor installations for water quality in-situ sensors in small, wadeable streams, navigable rivers, and small lakes. • Document sensor maintenance standard operating procedures (SOPs). • Collaborate with the NEON Calibration (CVAL) Team to define aquatic sensor field and lab calibration procedures. • Co-develop and implement data QA/QC, gap-filling, and correction plans. • Oversee construction of sensor installations • Travel to NEON sites as part of the design effort and to oversee sensor construction efforts. • Develop sensor maintenance training program for field crews. • Review and revise scientific data products related to in-situ sensors. • Participate in the larger NEON science community, including participating in independent research and collaborations and attending meetings/conferences. Education: This position can be filled as either a scientist or engineer, depending on the candidates’ experience. • MSc in hydrology or related engineering field AND 5+ years of experience installing and maintaining sensors in small streams of North America. or • BSc in hydrology or related engineering field AND 10+ years of experience installing and maintaining sensors in small streams of North America. • Specialization in a freshwater science or engineering field with emphasis in environmental monitoring of freshwater streams and lakes. • Qualified candidates will have demonstrated experience working in freshwater ecosystems of North America. Applications that do not clearly demonstrate this will not be considered. Required Experience: • Significant experience designing and constructing sensor installations for long-term freshwater quality monitoring in small, wadeable streams of North America. • Significant hands-on experience with maintenance and calibration of sensors used in freshwater ecosystems. • Demonstrated experience quality checking, correcting, and verifying data from in-situ sensors, including defining and correcting sensor drift. • Significant field experience working in streams and lakes of North America. • Demonstrated experience working with detailed, engineer-level plans and blueprints. • Demonstrated experience working in a collaborative scientific and engineering enterprise. • Demonstrated ability to write technical and scientific documents. • Experience communicating in oral and written formats in a professional environment. • Experience working with federal and state agencies and NGO’s. Preferred Experience: • Experience with sensor installations in large, navigable rivers and in small lakes is preferred but not required. • Experience with CAD or other blueprint software. • Experience with groundwater well sensors and sampling regimes preferred but not required. • Working knowledge of stream ecological function preferred. • Knowledge of freshwater chemistry dynamics of streams and lakes preferred. Skills and Abilities: • Ability to document engineering and science specifications and plans • Ability to read/review CAD or other blueprint documents • Ability to write and review science documents • Strong knowledge of sensor data assessment procedures and best practices • Strong knowledge of statistical design and analyses • Ability to communicate and work effectively both independently and as part of science and engineering teams • Strong communication and interpersonal skills • Undertake responsibilities beyond those associated with individual projects • Travel to domains at least 4x/year Physical Abilities: • The candidate may be exposed to conditions in the field, and therefore must be able to traverse uneven ground such as dirt banks, stream beds, and shallow ponds carrying equipment and materials up to 40 lbs. Please include CV and Cover Letter. Resumes will be reviewed upon receipt. Apply to www.neoninc.org NEON Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, Veterans and Disabled Persons are encouraged to apply.
