Geophysical Oceanographer

University of Southern Mississippi; Gulfport (MS); On-site; USD 71,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Southern Mississippi is seeking a Geophysical Oceanographer to advance applied oceanographic and geophysical research supporting autonomous underwater systems and seabed characterization. You will analyze seabed and environmental data, contribute to sensor interpretation, and support autonomous mission planning at the Center for Ocean Enterprise.

Collaborate with AI/ML engineers, signal processing researchers, and field operations to translate ocean conditions into model inputs

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Geophysical Oceanography, Physical Oceanography, Geophysics, Hydrography, or related field with 6 years related experience; or Ph.D. with 4 years related experience.
• U.S. Citizenship with ability to obtain government security clearance. Valid driver’s license and TWIC eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Conduct geophysical and oceanographic characterization for autonomous underwater sensing and seabed classification.
• Plan and evaluate multi-sensor underwater data collection including side-scan sonar, multibeam echosounders, magnetometers, and ROVs.
• Define metadata for AI/ML, sensor interpretation, and autonomy workflows to support model inputs and performance metrics.
• Evaluate effects of seabed, environmental, sensor geometry, and survey design on data quality and sensor performance.
• Develop data quality standards and decision-support approaches for underwater survey products.
• Interpret georeferenced sonar, bathymetric, magnetic, and ROV datasets to support validation of autonomous sensing outputs.
• Collaborate with AI/ML, signal processing, software, sensor engineering, and field operations teams for model development and testing.
• Prepare technical reports, maps, data summaries, and publications; stay current with advances in geophysical oceanography and hydrographic surveying.

Skills

Geophysical oceanography

Seabed characterization

Hydrographic surveying

Marine remote sensing

Underwater sensing

Education

Master’s degree in Geophysical Oceanography

PhD in Geophysical Oceanography

Job description

The University of Southern Mississippi is currently accepting applications for the position of Geophysical Oceanographer.

Location Marine Research Center
1030 West Pier, Port of Gulfport
Gulfport, Mississippi, 39501
United States

Division Ocean Enterprise

Position Type Staff

Employment Status Full Time

Grant Funded Yes

Salary Range 70,536.00 - 95,432.00

Pay Grade E14

Posting Close Date September 19, 2026

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in theUnited States on a full-time basis without the need for visa sponsorship. TheUniversity will not sponsor applicants for work visas (e.g., H-1B).

Job Summary

This position conducts applied oceanographic and geophysical researchsupporting autonomous underwater systems, seabed characterization, multi-sensordata collection, and environmental context modeling. The position plans andanalyzes underwater survey data, characterizes seafloor and environmentalconditions, and evaluates their impact on survey quality, sensorinterpretation, and autonomous mission planning. Working collaboratively withAI/ML engineers, signal processing researchers, and field operations personnel,the position supports the research, development, testing, and evaluation ofadvanced underwater sensing and autonomous systems at the Center for OceanEnterprise.

Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Conducts geophysical and oceanographic characterization for autonomous underwater sensing, including analysis and interpretation of seabed, bathymetric, environmental, sonar, magnetic, navigation, and other geospatial survey data.
• Plans, supports, and evaluates multi-sensor underwater data collection involving side-scan sonar, synthetic aperture sonar, multibeam echosounders, magnetometers, ROVs, navigation systems, and environmental sensors.
• Defines and evaluates environmental, seabed, and survey metadata needed to support AI/ML, signal processing, sensor interpretation, and autonomy workflows, including bottom type, bathymetry, acoustic context, navigation quality, survey quality, and sensor operating conditions.
• Evaluates the effects of seabed characteristics, environmental conditions, sensor geometry, vehicle motion, altitude, range, and survey design on data quality, sensor performance, interpretability, and model confidence.
• Develops and evaluates data quality standards and environmentally informed decision-support approaches for underwater survey products, translating oceanographic and geophysical conditions into model inputs, performance metrics, confidence factors, and operational guidance.
• Interprets georeferenced sonar, bathymetric, magnetic, ROV, and related datasets to support seabed classification, environmental characterization, reacquisition planning, and validation of autonomous perception and sensing outputs.
• Collaborates with AI/ML, signal processing, software, sensor engineering, and field operations personnel to incorporate real-world oceanographic and seabed conditions into model development, performance evaluation, testing, and mission planning.
• Prepares technical reports, maps, data summaries, survey assessments, research publications, presentations, and other documentation; remains current with advances in geophysical oceanography, hydrographic surveying, marine remote sensing, seabed classification, and autonomous underwater sensing.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’sdegree from an accredited college or university in Geophysical Oceanography,Physical Oceanography, Geophysics, Hydrography, or a related field and six (6)years of related experience; or a Ph.D. from an accredited college oruniversity in Geophysical Oceanography, Physical Oceanography, Geophysics,Hydrography, or a related field and four (4) years of related experience. U.S.Citizenship with the ability to obtain a government security clearance. Validdriver’s license and eligibility to obtain a Transportation WorkerIdentification Credential (TWIC).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA)

• Knowledge of geophysicaloceanography, seabed characterization, hydrographic surveying, and/ormarine remote sensing principles and practices.
• Knowledge of underwater surveydata interpretation, including sonar imagery, bathymetry, navigation, andgeospatial data.
• Knowledge of the effects ofseabed characteristics, water-column conditions, sensor geometry, surveydesign, and operational conditions on underwater sensing and data quality.
• Knowledge of environmental andgeophysical metadata used in AI/ML, signal processing, sensorinterpretation, and autonomous systems.
• Knowledge of underwater sensingtechnologies, including side-scan sonar, synthetic aperture sonar,multibeam echosounders, magnetometers, ROVs, and related systems.
• Skill in analyzing andevaluating large geospatial, oceanographic, acoustic, bathymetric, andremote-sensing datasets.
• Skill in evaluating underwatersurvey quality, including resolution, coverage, navigation consistency,altitude, range, motion effects, acoustic artifacts, and georeferencing.
• Ability to translate scientific,environmental, and geophysical information into engineering, testing,performance assessment, and operational guidance.
• Ability to collaborateeffectively with multidisciplinary teams, including AI/ML, software,signal processing, sensor engineering, and field operations personnel.
• Ability to communicate complexscientific and technical information effectively through technicalreports, publications, maps, briefings, presentations, and other researchdocumentation.
• Ability to work independently,manage multiple research priorities, and coordinate research andfield-support activities in a collaborative environment.

PreferredQualifications

Experiencewith autonomous underwater vehicles, unmanned maritime systems, or field-basedoceanographic operations; underwater sensor data collection and analysis;seabed classification, sediment characterization, or acoustic interpretation;and evaluating the effects of environmental conditions on survey quality andsensor performance. Experience developing marine survey or test plans,quality-control procedures, and working with geospatial or environmental data.Contributions to applied research, technical reports, peer-reviewedpublications, or related field programs preferred.

About The University of Southern Mississippi

Since our founding in 1910, The University of SouthernMississippi has remained dedicated to preparingstudents for success. We deliver programs to more than 13,000 studentsin Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across theMississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. Weare a community-engaged Carnegie R1 university, earning distinction as one ofthe nation's leading research institutions.

Southern Miss is known for pioneering work inpolymer science, ocean science, spectator sports safety and security, and bringinglanguage to children with communication disorders. We are also a nationalleader in a broad range of disciplines, including cybersecurity, hydrography,nutrition, aquaculture, kinesiology, and economic development, among others.

We produce graduates ready to enterfields that are leading the way in emerging technologies through programssuch as computer engineering, information technology, and ocean engineering. We're developing the next generation ofbusiness leaders, while also responding to critical workforce shortages byproducing skilled professionals in education and nursing. With a tradition ofexcellence in the arts, we are one of only 36 public institutions in the nationaccredited in four major areas of the arts. Home to the Golden Eagles, ourstudent-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division I sports. With a culture marked by passion andpersistence, Southern Miss is delivering graduates who are ready for life. For more information, visit www.usm.edu .

The University of Southern Mississippi is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. EOE/VETS/DISABILITY.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

TheUniversity of Southern Mississippi is committed to the safety andsecurity of the USM community. The annual federal required compliancedocument which contains policy statements and crime statistics for theUniversity is available on the UPD website at http://www.usm.edu/police/ .You may also request a copy by contacting the University PoliceDepartment at Bond Hall, 1st Floor West, Hattiesburg, MS 39406 [phone]. The policy statements address the University's policies,procedures and programs concerning safety and security, for example,policies for responding to emergency situations and sexual offenses.Three years' of statistics are included for certain types of crimes thatwere reported to have occurred on campus, in or on off-campus buildingsor property owned or controlled by the University and on publicproperty within or immediately adjacent to the campus.