Job Listings

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is looking for a Senior Administrative Assistant to join the Administration Department reporting to the Executive Assistant to the President and Director. As a team member, interacts effectively with a diverse population to achieve both short and long term goals. This is a regular, full-time, non-exempt position, and is eligible for benefits.   This position has direct responsibility for day-to-day high-level administrative support to the President & Director and others assigned. The incumbent is responsible for a wide range of day-to-day organizational and operational support to the President & Director and others as assigned. This is a highly visible position responsible for confidential tasks, often necessitating handling of sensitive information. The position requires a broad range of skills and the ability to exercise high degree of judgement, initiative, discretion, and independence.   The internal working title for this position could be either Senior Administrative Assistant I or Senior Administrative Assistant II.  The level of the position will be determined and commensurate with the selected candidate's level of education & experience. 

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is seeking an energetic Senior Administrative Assistant II (working title of Research Administrator) in the Physical Oceanography department who has the ability to support a number of principal investigators with their proposal submissions and other administrative tasks as needed.  This position requires the ability to work independently and under pressure, using tact and discretion, and superior organizational skills.  The successful candidate will have experience with high-volume proposal preparation including complex budgets; project financial tracking and forecasting for research projects; travel/cruise planning logistics; manuscript preparation and figure development.  This is a full-time, benefits eligible position with opportunities for growth and promotion.   

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is currently searching for a Temporary Human Resources Partner - Benefits to join the Human Resources department for a period of 3-4 months. This is a temporary, full-time, exempt position and is eligible for limited benefits.   The Temporary Human Resources Partner – Benefitswill thrive in a dynamic fast-paced team-oriented environment that involves performing a variety of tactical and often complex technical and analytical work.  This role will be a main communicator responding to benefits questions from employees and retirees, via phone, zoom, and email. The role includes transactional duties and involves implementation of various components of employee and retirement benefit plans. Performing employee benefits administration will include but will not be limited to working with benefit vendors, resolving health, welfare, and retirement plan issues, recognizing, reporting, and reconciling problems and data, preparing communications, and presenting materials to individuals and to groups while ensuring your work complies with plan and regulatory provisions. Extended work hours are expected to meet project and other deadlines.

The Ocean Bottom Seismic Instrument Center (OBSIC) (https://obsic.whoi.edu) at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution seeks to hire a full-time, junior electronics engineer (Engineer I or Engineer II). Exceptional candidates may be considered at the Research Engineer level. OBSIC provides Ocean Bottom Seismographs (OBS), and the technical support to operate them, to the academic research community. You will join a group committed to advancing the performance and reliability of OBS in order to support discovery of the earth’s internal structure and its dynamic processes such as earthquake faulting and volcanism. Advances in datalogger performance, autonomous timing, acoustic and optical telemetry, and the availability of new low-power, low-noise seismic sensors provide the opportunity to design a new generation of OBS with greater capability and longer recording durations. Under the supervision of senior OBSIC staff, participate in the design, maintenance, and operation of Ocean-Bottom Seismographs (OBS) and related support equipment. Assist in mobilizing/demobilizing sea-going seismic experiments.  Participate in sea-going experiments. This is a regular, full-time, exempt position and is eligible for benefits. The internal working title for this position could be either Engineer I, Engineer II, or Research Engineer. The final level of the position will be determined commensurate with the selected candidate's level of education & experience. 

  The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is currently searching for a Postdoctoral Investigator to join the Biology Department under the supervision of Dr. Gregory Britten. This is a temporary, full-time, exempt position, and is eligible for benefits. Funding is available through December 2024 with the possibility of continuation depending on availability of funds.    The project will aim to develop and apply biophysical ecosystem models of the Northwest Atlantic marine ecosystem. The model will apply trait-based eco-physiology to parameterize planktonic growth and interspecific interactions, focusing on the Northwest Atlantic continental shelf and slope waters. The model will build from the ‘Darwin’ ecosystem model developed at MIT, including collaboration with MIT and UC Santa Cruz researchers. Scientific goals of the project include characterization of primary and secondary production, assimilation and/or validation with chemical and biological data, and targeted simulations to support regional ecosystem and fisheries management. The successful applicant will be involved in all aspects of this research, including model development and scientific analyses. Initial consideration will be given to applications received before April 1, 2023, although the position will remain open until it is filled. Questions about the position are encouraged. Please reach out to Dr. Gregory Britten (gregory.britten@whoi.edu).   The institution has a top-rated postdoctoral program (www.whoi.edu/postdoctoral/) that supports a dynamic postdoctoral community with formal mentoring and career guidance programs.   Online application forms should be submitted with a cover letter, complete curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references. Applications will be reviewed upon submission.

The National Ocean Sciences Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (NOSAMS) facility at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is seeking a Research Associate or Research Specialist for the maintenance, development, and operation of two 14C Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) systems. The first AMS system is based upon a 500 kV Pelletron accelerator and incorporates both a conventional graphite sputter source and a unique, gas-accepting, microwave ion source. The second AMS system is a Mini Carbon Dating System (MiCaDaS) from Ionplus AG that was installed in 2022. The MiCaDaS system comes with several sample-to-gas-to ion source interfaces to allow enhanced NOSAMS capabilities and unique research directions.   The level of appointment and supervision will depend on the candidate’s relevant prior experience. The candidate will work within the NOSAMS team to provide high quality 14C measurements and expertise to the ocean science community, and to enhance NOSAMS capabilities. In particular, the candidate is expected to assist in the operation and maintenance of the AMS system for sample analyses to obtain the highest quality measurements. Participation in technology development in one or more of the following topics is anticipated: accelerator physics, ion source operation, ion optics, and sample-to-source interfaces.   This is a full-time exempt position and is eligible for full benefits.

The Physical Oceanography Department is in need of a scientific programmer and systems administrator to be hired full time at a Research Associate I/II level. This is a regular full time position and is eligible for benefits. Join a team of scientists, technicians and data analysts using innovative ocean platforms and instrumentation to explore upper ocean processes. Assist scientific staff members with data management and analysis of large data sets spanning profiling floats, oceanographic moorings, atmospheric analyses, and various satellite platforms. Also support the administration of several Linux computational servers, and associated large disk arrays.  

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is hiring a Shipping Assistant  to join the Facilities and Services team. Reporting to the Manager of Distribution and Services, the Shipping Assistant will assist the International and Domestic Shipping Coordinators in processing outbound shipments for successful arrival at their destination by performing a variety of administrative functions.    This is a full-time, non-exempt position, and is eligible for benefits.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is currently searching for Seasonal Retail Associates to work 20-25 hours/week (approximately mid-May through September 2023) in our two WHOI Stores in Woods Hole, MA. WHOI Seasonal Retail Associates support the day-to-day operations of the WHOI Ocean Science Discovery Center Store and the WHOI Visitor Center Store to ensure smooth daily operations at both locations.   These positions are temporary (seasonal), casual, non-exempt positions, and are eligible for casual benefits The internal title for these positions is Discovery Center Assistant

Woods Hole Oceanographic Instiution is searching for a Distribution and Services Managerto join the Facilities and Services team. Reporting to the Facilities Director, this position manages the operations of the Institution's Distribution Center related to external and internal materials movement, including domestic and foreign freight shipments, mail processing, distributing and warehousing, as well as for support of Institution conferences, meetings, special functions and other activities. Manages the operations of the Institution's Food Services (Buttery) and fleet vehicles.  Manages other functions as directed by Facilities Director. This is a full-time, exempt position and is eligible for benefits.  

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is currently searching for a Research Associate to join the Geology and Geophysics Department. This is a regular, full-time, exempt position and is eligible for full benefits.   The successful candidate is expected to conduct research aimed at understanding the mechanisms of thallium isotope fractionation during sorption to manganese oxides. The research will involve conducting independent laboratory sorption experiments followed by thallium isotope analyses as well as mineralogical characterization on experimental products. Experience with multiple collector inductively coupled mass spectrometry (MC-ICPMS), ion exchange chromatography, x-ray diffraction, and synchrotron based mineral characterization techniques (EXAFS and XANES) are essential.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is currently searching for a Postdoctoral Investigator to join the FLEDGE lab [Forecasting the Long term Ecological and Demographic impacts of Global Environmental changes] under the supervision of Dr Stephanie Jenouvrier. This is a full-time, exempt postion in the fields of life histories, population ecology and evolution in a changing climate. Specifically, the candidate will assess the role of functional traits (behaviors and body condition) in mitigating population declines in the face of climate change of two sentinel species in the Southern Ocean: the wandering and black-browed albatross. The candidate will join a large, multidisciplinary and international team, to both conduct high quality scientific research using state-of-the-art demographic tools and contribute to bring the newly acquired knowledge to the relevant conservation agencies.   The successful applicant should have, or shortly obtain, a PhD in quantitative ecology. This position requires excellent computational and programming skills. Although prior experience with Bayesian data analysis and/ or stage-structured population models, is considered an asset, all applicants with excellent critical thinking and quantitative analysis skills, excellent written and communication skills, and ability to drive projects forward in a timely manner will be considered. WHOI has a strong commitment to scientific excellence and diversity; we strongly encourage applications from candidates who will enrich and foster a culturally diverse and inclusive environment.   The start date for the position is June 2023, and review of applicants will be ongoing until the position is filled. Initial appointment is anticipated to be for 18 months, with possible renewal dependent of availability of funding. WHOI offers competitive salary and comprehensive benefits. Applicants should submit a  CV, a one-page statement of research interests, and contact information for three references.   The institution has a top-rated postdoctoral program (www.whoi.edu/postdoctoral/) that supports a dynamic postdoctoral community with formal mentoring and career guidance programs.     

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is hiring a Shipping Coordinator  to join the Facilities and Services team. This position utilizes customer service skills to accomplish all aspects of international and domestic shipment logistics required to meet the needs of the scientific staff, operations groups, and administrative functions in accordance with budgets, schedules, and all domestic and international transportation laws and regulations. Resolves problems in a professional manner to satisfy client expectations. This is a full-time, non-exempt position, and is eligible for benefits.

Dr. Zhaohui Aleck Wang’s Lab at WHOI is seeking a motivated individual at the Postdoctoral Investigatorlevel, with prior computational and/or modeling expertise or experience with marine carbonate chemistry and the ability to analyze and work with large datasets. This is a regular, full-time, non-exempt position, and is eligible for benefits. Funding is available through August of 2024 with the possibility of extension based on funding and performance.   The Postdoc will work with team members to primarily conduct computational analysis of regional and global climate model output, but may also involve field sampling, sensor deployment and lab analysis of the carbonate parameters. Job responsibilities will include analysis of high-resolution, 3D physical and carbonate chemistry model output of the US Northeast Shelf Ecosystem, development of statistical downscaling approaches for global climate model output using both traditional and machine learning tools, organizing and managing carbonate system data, and summarizing acquired data. Job responsibilities for field sampling and measurements may include working as a team member to collect discrete bottle samples of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), total, alkalinity (TA), and pH, deploy a new DIC-pH in situ sensor in coastal waters and controlled experiments to study impacts of Ocean Acidification. Both computational and field components of the job may involve data synthesis and preparing material for research papers and presentations. The ideal candidate will have proficiency in MATLAB, Python, or R, and possibly experience with high-performance computing, as well as experiences with seawater carbonate chemistry. Other desirable experience includes familiarity with in situ sensors and environmental sampling of chemical species (e.g. carbonate and nutrient chemistry), and experience with GitHub.   Research in the Wang lab at WHOI aims to better understand the marine/aquatic CO2 system. Specifically, we study ocean acidification, the inorganic carbon cycle in marine and other aquatic systems, and CO2 fluxes across the air-sea interface by developing and deploying cutting-edge in-situ sensors to measure CO2 system parameters, including dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), pH, partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2), and alkalinity. The Postdoc will be mentored by both Z. Aleck Wang (Associate Scientist, MC&G) and Jennie Rheuban (Research Specialist, MC&G), and will be a full and participating member of the lab group.   Online application forms should be submitted with a cover letter, complete curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information of 4 people willing to write a reference for the candidate.   Applications will be reviewed upon submission.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is currently searching for a Food Service Assistant - Casual for the Summer (preferably from Memorial Day through Labor Day). Reporting to the Manager of Distribution and Services, The Food Services Assistant will assist in the preparation of breakfast, lunch, salads, snacks to be served at the WHOI Buttery for Institution employees, students, guests, and other visitors. This position is also responsible for promoting a comfortable and clean atmosphere to enable WHOI personnel and guests to eat, relax, and converse. This is a temporary, casual, non-exempt position, and is eligible for casual benefits. The schedule for this position during the Summer is Monday - Friday from approximately 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, with the potential for additional hours.   The internal working title for this position will be Distribution Assistant.    

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is currently searching for a Robots4Whales Research Technician to join the Biology Department. This is a regular, full-time, non-exempt position, and is eligible for full benefits.   The successful Research Technician candidate will lead field operations for Dr. Mark Baumgartner’s Robots4Whales program (robots4whales.whoi.edu), which uses long-endurance autonomous platforms (gliders, buoys, profiling floats) equipped with passive acoustic monitoring instrumentation to transmit whale detection information to shore in near real time for review and dissemination to academic, government, conservation and industry stakeholders.  Whale detections from the Robots4Whales system are used on the U.S. east coast to trigger NOAA Slow Zones for Right Whales, on the U.S. west coast to reduce ship strikes of blue, fin and humpback whales as part of the Whale Safe program (whalesafe.com), and in Canada to trigger mandatory restrictions of ship speeds and closure of fishing grounds to protect North Atlantic right whales.   The internal working title for this position is Senior Engineering Assistant I.  The final level of the position will be determined commensurate with the selected candidate's level of education and experience.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is currently searching for a Payroll Implementation Specialist to join the Finance & Accounting Department.  This position is a temporary position with a payroll project specific focus.  This position will report to the Senior Director, Finance working closely with the Director, Accounting and Payroll Manager. This position will be a key voice and stakeholder integral to documenting & streamlining payroll for 1000+ employees, and integrating a best practice, payroll process into a new managed payroll system:  responsible for evaluating and re-engineering the current internal Institution payroll system and processes in order to streamline and facilitate a smooth and effective transition to a new external managed payroll business partner model.  Candidates for this role must have an in-depth understanding of, and extensive experience in payroll processing and improvement redesign – both in house and external models. This position can by on-site or hybrid.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is currently searching for seasonal Part Time Helpers and Laboratory Assistants to join the Applied Ocean Physics & Engineering Department for the 2023 summer period (May - August 2023). These positions are non-exempt, casual and are eligible for casual benefits.   With direct supervision, performs routine laboratory and clerical assignments.   The internal working title for this position could be either Part-time Helper or Laboratory Assistant I or Laboratory Assistant II.  The final level of the position will be determined commensurate with the selected candidate's level of education and experience.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is currently seeking seasonal Engineering Technicians to join the Applied Ocean Physics & Engineering Department for the 2023 summer period (May - August 2023).   These are temporary, casual, non-exempt positions and are eligible for casual benefits.    Summer hiring positions provide technical assistance to mechanical and electrical design engineers by performing maintenance, testing, and repairs to electrical or mechanical systems.      Engineer Assistant I Level: With close supervision, uses established procedures to perform prescribed tasks related to the engineering support of oceanographic research.   Engineer Assistant II Level: With some supervision, applies acquired knowledge of established procedures to the assembly, testing, and use of equipment in support of engineering projects related to oceanographic research.   Engineer Assistant III Level: With little supervision, applies a broad knowledge of established procedures to the assembly, testing, or calibration of equipment developed and used in support of engineering projects related to oceanographic instrumentation.   The internal working titles for these positions could be Engineering Assistant I, II, or III.  The final level of these positions will be determined commensurate with the selected candidate's level of education and experience.  

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering (AOPE) Department plans to hire a Program Manager to work within the Oceanographic Systems Lab (OSL). This is a regular, full-time, exempt position, and is eligible for benefits.   The successful candidate will be part of the REMUS group and will be responsible for tracking, organization and coordination throughout program/project lifecycles.  This will include customer interaction and strategy input, project proposals, project planning, financial and technical monitoring and reporting, as well as day-to-day coordination of engineering staff.  OSL is a fast-paced, dynamic lab with science and military funding sponsors.  The work is varied and rewarding as the result of our team effort is used to collect data for understanding and protecting the world. Our lab is small enough to function as a family but big enough to draw larger projects that are challenging and exciting. We have an enviable worldwide reputation for innovation, rapid development, and world class operations centered around the REMUS family of vehicles. We solve hard problems.   The primary responsibility of the Program Manager is to ensure OSL commitments are met in detail.  This will require providing a broad range of support to the OSL REMUS team and our customers.  The ideal candidate has Program Management experience, exhibits exceptional attention to detail, can manage/coordinate multiple tasks/projects, and maintains superior organizational skills.  Successful applicants will have the ability to function as a team member while taking initiative and ownership of assigned duties and projects.