Trainee Tropical Ecology Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary
Job postings are removed from the RCUH Job Openings site once the recruitment process has ended.
INQUIRIES: Elizabeth Madin, 808-439-9506 (O'ahu).
Regular, Full-Time, RCUH Non-Civil Service position with the Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB), Global Coral Reef Health From Space project (Marine Conservation Innovation Group), located on Moku o Lo'e / Coconut Island, in Kane'ohe Bay, Hawai'i. Continuation of employment is dependent upon program/operational needs, satisfactory work performance, availability of funds, and compliance with applicable Federal/State laws.
MONTHLY SALARY RANGE: $6,250 - $7,084/Mon.
DUTIES: Works within the Marine Conservation Innovation Group at HIMB in the area of quantitative conservation ecology with emphasis on geospatial and machine learning approaches. Takes a leadership role in applying novel machine learning algorithms, particularly deep learning architectures (e.g., Mask R-CNN, U-Net), for the automated detection and measurement of reef halos from high-resolution satellite imagery, and in developing and executing broadly related, independent research questions relevant to coral reef conservation. Processes, manipulates, and analyzes large geospatial datasets, including multi-band GeoTIFF satellite and drone imagery, using Python and/or R to quantify seascape-scale vegetation patterns on coral reefs. Produces clean, modular, well-documented, open-source-ready code under version control (Git/GitHub). Mentors graduate students and interns, providing guidance on spatial data analysis techniques and machine learning methodologies. Collaborates with academic and commercial partners to integrate AI algorithms with satellite imagery and make them accessible to natural resource managers. Communicates research findings at professional meetings and in high-quality peer-reviewed journals. Some travel may be required. Performs other duties as assigned.
PRIMARY QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION Ph.D. from an accredited college or university in computer science, quantitative geography/spatial data analysis, mathematical biology, statistics, quantitative ecology, oceanography, or a closely related field.
EXPERIENCE One to three (1-3) years of demonstrated experience conducting novel, independent research as evidenced by a publication record, including considerable experience processing, manipulating, and analyzing large datasets; experience developing and applying machine learning algorithms, particularly deep learning architectures (e.g., Mask R-CNN, U-Net) for image segmentation.
KNOWLEDGE Working knowledge of geospatial data analysis, remote sensing, machine learning/artificial intelligence approaches, and reproducible scientific computing workflows.
ABILITIES & SKILLS Demonstrated proficiency with Python or R; demonstrated proficiency with geospatial software tools (e.g., ArcGIS or QGIS); proficiency with version control (Git/GitHub) and producing clean, modular, well-documented code; excellent problem-solving, time-management, and communication skills. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Ability to be physically based on O¿ahu for the duration of the position. Post Offer/Employment Condition : Must be able to complete the UH Title IX training within 30 days from date of hire, and re-certify annually. Must be able to complete the Workplace Violence Prevention training within 30 days from date of hire, and re-certify annually. Must be able to complete the UH Information Security Awareness Training (ISAT) within two (2) weeks from date of hire, and re-certify every twelve (12) months.
PHYSICAL/MEDICAL DEMANDS Primarily computer-based work in a laboratory/office setting, with occasional field work. Some travel may be required.
POLICY/REGULATORY REQUIREMENT As a condition of employment, employee will be subject to all applicable RCUH policies, procedures, and trainings and, as applicable, subject to University of Hawai'i's and/or business entity's policies, procedures, and trainings. Violation of RCUH's, UH's, or business entity's policies and/or procedures or applicable State or Federal laws and/or regulations may lead to disciplinary action (including, but not limited to possible termination of employment, personal fines, civil and/or criminal penalties, etc.).
SECONDARY QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience processing high-resolution satellite or aerial imagery, including multi-band GeoTIFF formats, shapefiles, GeoJSONs, etc. Experience packaging research code as installable command-line tools (e.g., via pip or conda) and/or deploying interactive web applications (e.g., Gradio, Hugging Face, etc.). Experience conducting research in or on marine / coral reef ecosystems. Ability to travel internationally for fieldwork and/or conferences.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Please go to https://www.rcuh.com/opportunities/job-openings/. You must submit the following documents online to be considered for the position: 1) Cover Letter (briefly explaining your motivation for applying for this fellowship, how your prior research experience qualifies you for the fellowship, and how you satisfy the Primary/required and Secondary/desirable qualifications [the latter in dot-point format]), 2) CV (including publication list, which may include publications in advanced stages of preparation that will be likely in the review process by the above application deadline date), 3) Proposal (short [1-2 page] research proposal describing an independent research project you would like to undertake while in this position [proposals that are creative, scale-able, and relevant to coral reef conservation are encouraged]. This proposal should reflect your own thinking and writing. AI tools may not be used at any stage - from brainstorming to drafting to editing - as we are evaluating your ability to develop and communicate independent research ideas. Proposals showing evidence of AI assistance will not be considered), 4) List of 3 Professional References, 5) Copy of Degree(s)/Unofficial or Official Transcript(s)/Certificate(s). All online applications must be submitted/received by the closing date (11:59 P.M. Hawai'i Standard Time/RCUH receipt time) as stated on the job posting. If you do not have access to our system and the closing date is imminent, please send additional documents to rcuh_recruitment@rcuh.com. If you have questions on the application process and/or need assistance, please call (808)956-7262 or (808)956-0872. Please visit https://www.rcuh.com/policies-forms-documents/benefits-at-a-glance.pdf for more information on RCUH's Benefits for eligible employees.
RCUH's mission is to support and enhance research, development and training in Hawai'i, with a focus on the University of Hawai'i.
RCUH is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, marital status, reproductive health decision, citizenship, gender identity or expression, domestic or sexual violence victim status, military/veteran status, or other grounds protected under applicable federal and state laws, except as permitted by law.