POSITION OVERVIEW
Position title: Associate Specialist
Salary range: A reasonable estimate that the University expects to pay for this position at 100% time is $74,900 - $93,500.
Percent time: 100%
Anticipated start: The position will ideally start March 10, 2025.
Position duration: The initial appointment is for one year from the start date which would ideally start in March 2025. The overall appointment is expected to be for 2 years from the start date.

APPLICATION WINDOW
Open date: November 26, 2024
Next review date: Wednesday, Jan 8, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Monday, Jun 30, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory (www.bosl.ucsb.edu) is an applied research center at the University of California Santa Barbara’s Marine Science Institute. The Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory team works to leverage the power of marine science and technology to develop and implement tangible solutions to a wide range of ocean problems.

The Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory is seeking an Associate Specialist skilled in data science with spatial environmental/marine applications to lead analyses supporting proposals to establish marine protected areas in the high seas, or “areas beyond national jurisdiction”. This work will support implementation of the recent Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), which has paved the way for various stakeholder groups to propose protections for the vast high seas. Data analysis and synthesis performed by the candidate will be used to prioritize and refine protected area proposals, building on previous work by the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory and Pew Charitable Trusts to produce the Protect High Seas Interactive Visualization Tool (https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/data-visualizations/2023/protect-high-seas#)

The position will have the following responsibilities:
•    Conduct analyses on a variety of marine data – including but not limited to spatial, biodiversity, benthic, fisheries, productivity, and atmospheric – to better inform diverse proposals for protections of high seas regions.
•    Review and synthesize peer-reviewed and gray literature (e.g., technical reports, government reports, white papers).
•    Leverage existing Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory datasets and identify new data sources.
•    Collaborate with stakeholders such as governments, civil society/non-governmental organizations, indigenous communities, and academia.
•    Contribute data science and spatial data expertise to other Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory projects on topics such as climate change/blue carbon, whale- ship strikes, plastic pollution, deep sea mining, and more.

This appointment includes a competitive benefits package with medical, dental, and vision insurance and a UC retirement plan. Salary is commensurate with the applicant’s qualifications and experience.

The Department is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research, teaching and service as appropriate to the position.

Department: https://msi.ucsb.edu/

QUALIFICATIONS
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
A master’s degree (or equivalent degree) in environmental science, marine science, data science, computer science, or related field is required at the time of application.
Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
At least three years of experience in data science, spatial data analysis, environmental science, marine science, marine policy, or related area is required at the time of appointment.
Preferred qualifications
•    Considerable experience with standard programming languages and software used in environmental and spatial data science including R, Python, ArcGIS/QGIS, or others.
•    Proficiency with standard methods of tracking, sharing, and updating code and methodology such as GitHub.
•    Experience working with large spatial data sets that involve biodiversity or climate change-related topics.
•    Experience working on marine protected areas or international environmental agreements.
•    Demonstrated capacity to publish peer-reviewed articles or non-peer reviewed reports with strong dependency on spatial data.
•    Ability and enthusiasm to work with diverse collaborators in a spirit of respect.
•    Willingness to collaborate with external partners in global time zones, occasionally resulting in after-hours commitments.
•    Ability to meet tight deadlines.
•    Ability to work independently.
•    Willingness to engage with news media by developing summary materials, press releases, and interviewing a plus.

ABOUT UC SANTA BARBARA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20. For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

JOB LOCATION

Santa Barbara, CA UCSB