Marine Mammal Bioacoustics Scientist

CASE Consultants International; Asheville (NC); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Remote work options

Retirement plan

Professional development

Job summary

CASE Consultants International seeks a Bioacoustics Scientist to support NOAA Fisheries’ SEFSC Marine Mammal & Turtle Division. The role centers on passive acoustic monitoring of endangered whales and other marine mammals, guiding conservation under MMPA and ESA. Collaboration with NOAA scientists will inform management and recovery efforts.

The position requires a Ph.D. and 10+ years in the field, with expertise in PAMGuard/Raven and MATLAB or R, and hands-on experience deploying acoustic

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required in a closely related field and 10+ years of experience.
• Experience with passive acoustic monitoring and software tools.
• Strong programming skills in MATLAB and/or R.

Responsibilities

• Lead passive acoustic research projects for NOAA SEFSC.
• Analyze vocalizations using PAMGuard, Raven, or similar software.
• Develop innovative acoustic analysis approaches and publish results.
• Deploy and recover hydrophones, sonobuoys, gliders, and arrays.
• Archive datasets and metadata; prepare technical reports and publications.
• Collaborate with NOAA scientists and multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

Passive acoustic monitoring

Marine mammal ecology

Signal processing

Statistical analysis

Scientific writing

Research project leadership

Marine field operations

Data management

Education

Ph.D. in Acoustics, Fisheries Science, Oceanography, Marine Science, Natural Sciences, Mathematics, or closely related discipline

Tools

PAMGuard

Raven

MATLAB

R

Hydrophone arrays

Acoustic instrumentation

Job description

Location: Miami, FL (Hybrid/Remote Eligible)

Employment Type: Full-Time

Client: NOAA Fisheries (NMFS)

Security Requirement: Public Trust Eligibility Required (US Citizen)

Position Overview

CASE Consultants International is seeking an experienced Bioacoustics Scientist to support NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) Marine Mammal & Turtle Division. This role supports nationally significant research focused on understanding and conserving endangered marine mammals, including North Atlantic right whales, Rice’s whales, and sperm whales, through cutting‑edge passive acoustic monitoring. Working alongside NOAA scientists, you will help design and execute research that directly informs conservation, management, and recovery efforts under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage passive acoustic research projects
• Analyze marine mammal vocalizations using software such as PAMGuard and Raven
• Develop innovative approaches for acoustic analyses
• Deploy and recover hydrophones, sonobuoys, gliders, and towed acoustic arrays during field operations
• Assist with laboratory management and maintenance of acoustic instrumentation
• Archive and manage acoustic datasets and metadata
• Prepare technical reports, scientific publications, and conference presentations
• Collaborate closely with NOAA scientists and multidisciplinary research teams

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Acoustics, Fisheries Science, Oceanography, Marine Science, Natural Sciences, Mathematics, or closely related discipline
• 10+ years of relevant professional experience
• Experience using PAMGuard, Raven, or similar acoustic analysis software
• Strong MATLAB and/or R programming skills
• Experience maintaining acoustic recording systems and hydrophone arrays
• Experience supporting marine mammal conservation research
• Ability to conduct field work in marine environments
• Experience supporting NOAA Fisheries passive acoustic programs is highly desirable

Desired Skills

• Passive acoustic monitoring
• Marine mammal ecology
• Signal processing
• Statistical analysis
• Scientific writing
• Research project leadership
• Marine field operations
• Data management

Benefits

Competitive benefits packages including company‑sponsored healthcare (medical, dental, and vision), paid leave, retirement plan, training and professional development, remote and flexible work options, performance‑based raises and bonuses, and other perks.

We equitably consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information as per https://www.eeoc.gov/poster.