Marine Research Field Technician - Marine Biology Lab and Mubadala ACCESS Center (Fixed-term for 2 years)

UAE nationals are encouraged to apply

New York University Abu Dhabi seeks to appoint a Marine Research Field Technician reporting to the Professor of Biology. 

The Marine Research Field Technician will play a crucial role in supporting various boat and diving based marine research projects led by various faculty and postdoctoral associates. This position requires expertise in SCUBA diving fieldwork and boat operations to support surface and sub-surface (diving) based research. On the administrative side, the candidate will be responsible for managing maintenance schedules and annual insurance and registration processes for research vessels and vehicles, as well as applying for and renewing  research permits/NOCs through consultation with various researchers. The successful candidate will be an integral part of our research team, ensuring smooth and efficient field operations.  

The candidate will operate under the supervision of Prof. John Burt, head of the NYUAD Marine Biology Lab, and will be affiliated with the Mubadala Arabian Center for Climate and Environmental Sciences (ACCESS). In this interdisciplinary research center, which focuses on regional environmental change and where Burt serves as co-PI, the candidate will collaborate closely with researchers across NYUAD units including Mubadala ACCESS, the Marine Biology Laboratory, the Center for Genomics and Systems Biology (CGSB), the Water Research Center (WRC), and the CITIES Center, thus integrating into a diverse and dynamic team with research spanning genomics and molecular biology to ecosystem-level ecology. The primary goal of this position is to ensure the safe, efficient operation of field based research involving research diving and boating operations; the candidate will work under protocols established by the NYUAD dive safety board and dive safety officers.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Operate and Maintain NYUAD research vessels. Including navigating to and from research sites
• Assist in dive fieldwork for various research projects, ensuring adherence to safety protocols and scientific methodologies
• Perform routine maintenance and upkeep of research boats, ensuring they are in optimal working condition
• Coordinate with postdoctoral associates and faculty to support their research needs in the field
• Manage boat registrations and ensure compliance with all relevant maritime regulations
• Track and maintain field permits and NOCs, ensuring all research activities are properly authorized
• Ensure all field equipment is properly maintained, stored and available for use
• Participate in training and development opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge related to marine research and fieldwork

Required Education: 

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Certified SCUBA diver with extensive dive experience, particularly in scientific diving
• Power boat operator certification
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to travel to various field sites as required

Preferred Education: 

• Bachelor's Degree in the sciences or engineering
• Rescue or Master Scuba Diver Certification preferred

Required Experience:

• 3+  years experience of proven experience in operating and managing maintenance of boats
• Experience with SCUBA diving in a work or research setting

Preferred Experience: 

• Proven ability as skipper of a 10-15 m vessel is desirable, particularly around dive operations
• Previous experience in similar roles, preferably in a research setting
• Understanding of maritime regulations and permit requirements
• Additional certifications related to boating, diving or maritime safety
• Familiarity with local marine ecosystems and research methodologies

Other Information

About NYUAD

NYU Abu Dhabi is a degree-granting research university with a fully integrated liberal arts and science undergraduate program in the Arts, Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities, and Engineering. NYU Abu Dhabi, NYU New York, and NYU Shanghai, form the backbone of NYU’s global network university, an interconnected network of portal campuses and academic centers across six continents that enable seamless international mobility of students and faculty in their pursuit of academic and scholarly activity. This global university represents a transformative shift in higher education, one in which the intellectual and creative endeavors of academia are shaped and examined through an international and multicultural perspective. As a major intellectual hub at the crossroads of the Arab world, NYUAD serves as a center for scholarly thought, advanced research, knowledge creation, and sharing, through its academic, research, and creative activities.