Position Information

Position Title

Glider Team Lead

Research Project

The Ocean Tracking Network

Department/Unit

Biology

Location

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Posting Number

S124-26

Employee Group

Grant-Paid (PSAC Local 86001)

Position Type

Term

Duration of Contract (if applicable)

1 year with possibility of renewal

Employment Type

Full Time

Full-time Equivalency (FTE)

1.0

Salary

$85,000 - $95,000 per annum based on 37.5 hours per week

Classification

Provisional Statement

About Dalhousie University

Dalhousie University is Atlantic Canada’s leading research-intensive university and a driver of the region’s intellectual, social and economic development. Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an Agricultural Campus in Truro/Bible Hill, Dalhousie is a truly national and international university, with more than half of our almost 21,000 students coming from outside of the province. Our 6,000 faculty and staff foster a vibrant, purpose-driven community, that celebrated 200 years of academic excellence in 2018.

Job Summary

The Ocean Tracking Network (OTN, http://oceantrackingnetwork.org/) is an international marine and freshwater monitoring platform that focuses on tracking the movements of aquatic animals in the context of a changing global environment. Established in 2008, OTN is one of 6 Major Research Facilities supported by the Major Science Initiatives program of the Canada Foundation for Innovation.

Reporting to the Glider Operations Manager, the Glider Team Lead ensures that OTN’s glider operations remain safe, innovative, and mission ready. They manage OTN’s physical glider workshop and is responsible for maintaining an organized, efficient, and operationally ready workspace.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate autonomous underwater vehicle and glider operations, serving as a senior technical authority for field and shop troubleshooting, decision‑making, and mission execution.

• Mentor and develop technical staff through onboarding, training, and ongoing guidance, fostering a collaborative team culture and ensuring readiness for current and emerging projects.

• Plan and oversee glider preparation schedules and project roadmaps to ensure missions are delivered safely, efficiently, and on time.

• Manage and maintain the physical glider workspace and specialized equipment, ensuring compliance with safety standards, operational readiness, and up‑to‑date documentation.

• Perform advanced maintenance, repair, and testing of gliders and related systems, including data collection, processing, and analysis from deployed instrumentation.

• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders and stay current with emerging ocean technologies to support innovation, outreach, and the advancement of autonomous underwater vehicle applications.

Note

Due to the nature of the position, regular travel and evening and weekend work is required.

Due to operational requirements, the successful applicant is required to work in-person from the Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship in Dartmouth.

Required Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in marine biology, oceanography, computer programming, engineering, or related field, with seven years’ experience working with underwater gliders in progressively senior roles, and a minimum three years’ experience training and mentoring new glider technicians.
• Proven track record overseeing all stages of complex glider missions, including planning and research, study design, mission planning and field operations.
• Expert knowledge maintaining, operating, troubleshooting, and piloting autonomous ocean and underwater vehicles, particularly Slocum gliders.
• Extensive experience working in an at-sea environment in a wide variety of conditions and vessels. Expert operational knowledge of aquatic monitoring devices, oceanographic sensors including CTDs, oxygen sensors, hydrophones, echosounders and temperature and data loggers and integrating them onto gliders.
• Detailed understanding of spatial mapping programs, GPS technology, plotting coordinates, and navigation.
• Team leadership skills such as maintaining composure during unexpected operational challenges, interpersonal skills to promote collaborative team culture, ability to translate strategic objectives into actionable work plans for the team and high-level decision making to support team goals.
• The successful candidate must also possess the following:

  • Valid Class 5 driver’s license

  • Experience towing a trailer

  • Experience operating small vessels

  • Able to pass a marine medical

  • Able to travel domestically and internationally

  • Have or be able to obtain mandatory certifications including, but not limited to: MED-DVS, SVOP, forklift certification, dangerous goods, marine first aid

  • Able to lift >30 kg

Assets

• Master’s degree.

• Fluent in spoken French.

• Experience working in an academic environment.

• Experience following procurement policies.

Job Competencies

The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate proficiency in Dalhousie’s core and leadership competencies, in particular:

• Respect & Inclusion

• Adaptability

• Knowledge & Thinking Skills

• Communication

• Service

Additional Information

Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a voluntary RRSP, health and dental plans, a wellness allowance, an employee and family assistance program and a tuition assistance program.

Application Consideration

Non-probationary bargaining unit employees (PSAC Local 86001) are given priority consideration. All other applications will be considered when there is no qualified candidate from the bargaining unit.

We sincerely appreciate all applications and note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly by the hiring department or People and Culture.

Diversity Statement

Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. In accordance with our Employment Equity Policy, preference will be given in hiring processes to candidates who self-identify as members of one or more of the equity-deserving groups listed above. For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan and definitions of equity-deserving groups please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity

If you require any support for the purpose of accommodation, such as technical aids or alternative arrangements, please let us know of these needs and how we can be of assistance. Dalhousie University is committed to ensuring all candidates have full, fair, and equitable participation in the hiring process. Our complete Accommodation Policy can be viewed here.

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies

1

Open Date

05/01/2026

Close Date

05/08/2026

Open Until Filled

No

Special Instructions to Applicant

Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting

https://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/20867