Organizational Unit

University of Victoria -> VP Research -> Ocean Networks Canada

Location

University of Victoria - Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2 CA (Primary)

Posting Close Date

22 September 2025

Please note that positions will close at 4 p.m. on the closing date.

FTE

1

Salary Grade

$79,376.00 - $103,243.00

Additional Posting Information

N/A

Salary posted will be pro-rated based on FTE and achieved as per the collective agreement, if applicable.

Classification

SG12

Start Date

10/20/2025

End Date

6/30/2027

Employee Group:

PEA - Term

of Hires Needed

1

Category

Science

About this Opportunity

Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) seeks a Scientific Data Specialist (Passive Acoustics)

ONC seeks a skilled individual to support projects in Passive Underwater Acoustics. The successful candidate will play a vital role in ensuring the accessibility, integrity and usability of our vast acoustic datasets. They will possess a M.Sc. or Ph.D. in a relevant oceanographic or engineering discipline, such as Underwater Acoustics, Oceanographic Engineering, Geophysics or a related field. Skills in scientific computing are desirable. A combination of education, experience and skills will be considered. The successful candidate’s expertise will be essential in several key areas, including:

• Hydrophone Calibration and Performance: Documenting calibration processes and associated issues, as well as any performance issues exhibited by hydrophones.
• Acoustic Data Quality Control and Assurance: Apply acoustic principles and measurement techniques to support acoustic data quality assurance / quality control.
• Data Product Development: Creating innovative passive acoustic data products, such as those that characterise the underwater soundscape according to community standards and that track the directionality of noise sources as measured by hydrophone arrays. A particular focus will be on noise-related products, including creating curated datasets and reports.
• Detection, Identification and AI-Driven Innovation: Developing advanced AI-based identification capabilities to automate the detection and classification of natural physical phenomena (such as rain, hydrothermal venting, geomorphic and seismic events) as well as anthropogenic noise sources (such as ship engines and underwater construction) using standard scientific programming languages.
• User Support: Providing technical support to researchers and other users, including data provisioning and assistance in data analysis.

This posting is for a two-year term position with the expectation of rolling over into a continuing position under the terms of the UVic PEA collective agreement, subject to continuing funding. If you are passionate about marine science, data analysis, and AI, and have a strong desire to contribute to cutting-edge research in the underwater acoustics world, please apply and come join our team of Scientific Data Specialists!

*This position is eligible for a Hybrid Work Arrangement*

The salary range for this position is:

• Recruitment range: $79,376 - $87,518 starting salary determined by the PEA Collective Agreement.
• Performance range: $103,243 salary range ceiling is available through annual performance increases.

Job Summary

The Data Quality and Products team prepares the user requirements for new data products and data access; creates prototypes of data products; implements data quality and integrity measures; and actively interacts with ONC staff and the user community to improve ONCs data product delivery and data services.

The Scientific Data Specialist is responsible for the development of sophisticated data products, including verification and quality assessment of real-time and archived data. These data products enable scientific and non-scientific users to understand, interpret and analyze the information collected via the instruments on the network operated by ONC.

Job Requirements

The Scientific Data Specialist will have a Master’s degree in Earth and Ocean Sciences or a related field and 2-3 years of experience working with data from oceanographic/geophysical instruments, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Essential qualifications include excellent problem solving and interpersonal skills as well as a strong quantitative and technical background in relevant fields.

The following knowledge and experience are required:

• practical experience in Python, Matlab or experience developing data products using computational and data analysis/visualization tools in one or more of the following scientific programming languages: Python, Matlab, or R,

• experience with time series and spatial analysis

• excellent skills in quantitative data validation

• experience with handling oceanographic and seismic instruments and their data

• proven ability to take projects from conception to completion

Preferred:

• some knowledge of scientific data formats/standards such as netCDF, HDF, SensorML or other XML-based formats used in Earth and Ocean Sciences
• some practical experience in C/C++ or Java, XML or HTML and other scripting languages such as IDL, Mathematic is beneficial
• some experience with relational databases, modelling and simulation, and using query tools such as SQL

Territory Acknowledgement: We acknowledge and respect the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Xʷsepsəm/Esquimalt) Peoples on whose territory the university stands, and the Lək̓ʷəŋən and WSÁNEĆ Peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.

Equity Statement: UVic is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion and human rights in our living, learning and work environments. In pursuit of our values, we seek members who are eager to actively participate in that shared responsibility. We actively encourage applications from members of historically and systemically marginalized groups.

Read our full equity statement here: www.uvic.ca/equitystatement.

Accessibility Statement: If you anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application and hiring process contact: uviccareers@uvic.ca Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.

What UVic Offers: To learn more click here