Physical Oceanography Technician

Job Posting Title:

Physical Oceanography Technician

Hiring Department:

Marine Science Institute

Position Open To:

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Earliest Start Date:

May 31, 2026

Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Apr 30, 2028

Location:

PORT ARANSAS, TX

Job Details:

General Notes

We are seeking a highly motivated physical oceanographer with experience in Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) measurements, environmental data processing, and mooring deployment to support interdisciplinary coastal and shelf research in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. The successful candidate will contribute to field-based and data-driven efforts focused on circulation, mixing, and physical–biogeochemical coupling across estuarine, nearshore, and continental shelf environments of the Texas Coastal Bend. This position involves a balance of fieldwork, data analysis, and collaboration

The purpose of this role is to advance understanding of the physical drivers of coastal and shelf ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico, including the links among circulation, mixing, and biogeochemical processes.

This position is located in Port Aransas, Texas. The position is originally for two years but could be renewed based on performance and funding.

Responsibilities

• Field Operations
• Plan and execute mooring deployments and recoveries in estuarine and coastal shelf environments
• Operate and maintain ADCP systems (moored configurations) and current meters
• Support additional oceanographic instrumentation (e.g., CTDs, temperature/salinity loggers, meteorological sensors)
• Participate in small boat and research vessel operations under variable field conditions
• Data Processing & Analysis
• Process and quality-control ADCP datasets (e.g., velocity profiles, backscatter)
• Manage and analyze time-series environmental data from moorings and shipboard surveys
• Develop reproducible workflows for data organization, QA/QC, and visualization
• Contribute to the interpretation of circulation patterns, stratification, and mixing processes
• Collaboration & Reporting
• Work closely with interdisciplinary teams (biogeochemists, ecologists, modelers)
• Contribute to reports, manuscripts, and data products
• Assist with training students and supporting field campaigns

Required Qualifications

M.S. in Physical Oceanography, Ocean Engineering, Marine Science, or related field

Demonstrated experience with:

• ADCP data collection and processing
• Environmental time-series data analysis
• Mooring design, deployment, and recovery
• Proficiency in at least one scientific programming environment (e.g., Python, MATLAB, or R)
• Experience working in field-based marine environments, including small boat operations
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in coastal or shelf systems
• Familiarity with:
• Data QA/QC standards and metadata practices
• Oceanographic sensors (CTD, ADCP, wave meters) turbulence sensors, wave/current meters
• Small boat operation experience (or willingness to obtain certification
• Ability to work in physically demanding field conditions

Driving Required

This job requires a class "C" operator's driver's license. The applicant selected must provide a current three year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver's license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident. Employees who are required to have a CDL are subject to drug and alcohol testing (pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, random, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing).

Salary Range

$50,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• Regular fieldwork in hot, humid, and/or windy conditions, including small boat operations
• Occasional multi-day research cruises
• Ability to lift and handle field equipment (:20–50 lbs)

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.