About the role
Position Function
Research Engineer to provide computer science support in the development of data management capabilities and visualization techniques for NOAA and its partners. An experienced computer scientist with extensive development experience and cloud-based programming is required to complete this work.
Salary Grade: 15
Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Department Profile
The Northern Gulf Institute (NGI) is a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Cooperative Institute comprised of six academic institutions that are geographically distributed across the U.S. Gulf Coast states. The six NGI member institutions are Mississippi State University (lead), the University of Southern Mississippi, Florida State University, Louisiana State University, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and the Dauphin Island Sea Laboratory. Together with NOAA and in support of their strategic plan, NGI conducts research on interconnections among Gulf of Mexico environments, habitats, resources, and people and engages in outreach to help others learn about and make decisions based on these interconnections.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Data Collections and Archive: Collect ocean surface marine and meteorological data from the global ocean observing systems, and archive them at NCEI (National Centers for Environmental Information) and the Global Data Assembly Centers (GDACs).
Data fusion into ICOADS (International Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set): Ingest multiple data streams into the integrated product ICOADS.
Quality Improvement: Review and improve Quality Control (QC) processes to improve ICOADS quality.
Pursue scholarly and professional interests which will keep his/her expertise at the leading edge of engineering practice through continuing professional duties.
Minimum Qualifications
Level of appointment (Research I,II,III, or Senor) is commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Research Engineer I - B.S. in engineering or computer science; Less than one year in a related area.
Research Engineer II - B.S. in engineering or computer science; Two years of professional experience in a related area; Requires two years at previous level or equivalent.
Research Engineer III - B.S. in engineering or computer science; Four years of professional experience in a related area; Requires two years at previous level or equivalent.
Senior Research Engineer - B.S. in engineering or computer science; Six years or more years of professional experience in a related area; Requires two years at previous level or equivalent.
Preferred Qualifications
M.S. in oceanography or meteorology is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knows and effectively uses the fundamental concepts, practices and procedures of a particular field of specialization. Continues development of technical expertise and knowledge through experience and application.
Self-motivated and passionate on the project tasks.
Great teamwork and communication skills in a distributed work environment: Able to complete tasks independently and yet able to effectively communicate with the task manager and team members in remote locations.
Strong Linux computation skills: Effective shell scripting in Linux environment; Effective coding skills using Python; Familiarity with FORTRAN programming.
Familiarity with global ocean observing systems, data collection and processing processes, data and metadata management.
Familiarity with ocean and climate sciences, and able to understand physical and climate signals vs data errors/noises. Knowledge of statistical methods
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Occasional and/or light lifting required. Limited exposure to elements such as heat, cold, noise, dust, dirt, chemicals, etc., but none to the point of being disagreeable. May involve minor safety hazards where likely result would be cuts, bruises, etc.
Routine deadlines, usually sufficient lead time; variance in work volume predictable; priorities can be anticipated; some interruptions are present; involves occasional exposure to demands and pressure from persons other than immediate supervisor.
Job frequently requires standing, walking, climbing or balancing, stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling and lifting up to 50 pounds.
Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically, ability to distinguish colors.
Instructions for Applying
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
Apply online by submitting a cover letter, resume, and a copy of your transcript(s). Any social numbers included on requested transcripts should be redacted prior to submitting online. For additional information, contact Paul Mickle at pmickle@ngi.msstate.edu.
Restricted Clause
Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.