Acoustician – Cetacean Data Analysis & Processing Support

About the role

Lynker Corporation is seeking to hire three (3) Acousticians to support a contract with NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), Protected Species Division (PSD). These are full-time positions that may be performed on-site or remotely, with anticipated travel in support of meetings, workshops, and field activities. The positions are anticipated to begin on September 30, 2026. Hiring for these positions will be contingent on contract award.

Tasks

• Provide passive acoustic data analysis, processing, and data management support, including the following:
  • Conduct analyses of passive acoustic datasets to support detection, classification, and localization of cetaceans
  • Characterize cetacean vocalizations and evaluate behavior, occurrence, abundance, seasonality, and habitat relationships
  • Develop and validate automated detection and classification approaches, including call-level annotation and manual validation
  • Analyze datasets collected from multiple platforms, including Long-term stationary recorders, Towed hydrophone arrays, Drifting acoustic recorders, Autonomous systems (e.g., Seagliders)
  • Apply statistical and quantitative approaches to support stock assessments and ecological analyses
  • Support Seaglider and advanced acoustic analyses, including Classification of cetacean sounds to species where possible, Validation of automated classifiers through manual review, Application of sound propagation models using Python and cloud-based tools
  • Process acoustic datasets for analysis, including Conversion of raw data formats into usable files (e.g., WAV), Debugging problematic data files, Performing quality assurance and quality control checks
  • Archive and manage datasets, including Storage on program and cloud servers, Preparation for submission to NCEIM, Maintenance of dataset logs and issue tracking, Maintenance of acoustic metadata databases (e.g., TETHYS, Makara, NCEI), including uploading and quality-checking detection and classification data
  • Conduct quantitative soundscape analyses, including computation of ambient noise metrics and evaluation of trends across multiple temporal scales
  • Maintain logs of datasets analyzed, analytical methods, outputs, and issues encountered
  • Maintain analysis code and workflows in repositories such as NMFS GitHub Enterprise
  • Affiliate with meetings, workshops, and conferences to present progress and support collaboration

Deliverables

• Monthly progress reports summarizing accomplishments, issues encountered, travel and outcomes, and recommendations
• Maintenance of logs documenting analyzed datasets, analysis methods and outputs, and data issues and resolutions
• Draft reports or manuscripts documenting analytical methods and findings, including associated metadata
• Processed and archived datasets, including QA/QC documentation and updates to metadata systems

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in marine biology, oceanography, acoustics, fisheries science, or related field
• Working knowledge of underwater acoustic theory and practice, including acoustic propagation, sound measurement, and standard signal processing techniques
• Experience developing, testing, and validating automated detectors and classifiers for use on passive acoustic datasets
• Experience processing acoustic data to extract soundscape and ambient noise measurements at hourly to yearly timescales
• Ability to design, execute, and interpret statistical analyses of animal abundance to evaluate patterns in occurrence or associations with habitat or fishery variables
• Prior experience drafting reports and presenting project results at scientific meetings
• Proficiency in MATLAB and R programming languages, including MATLAB-based acoustic analysis software Triton
• Proficiency with passive acoustic metadata databases such as TETHYS and Makara, including organization of data for input, and query for extracting, evaluating, and using acoustic deployment and detection data stored within the databases
• Proficiency in use of open science practices in data analysis, including use of GitHub or other resources for maintaining and archiving analysis code
• Proficiency with MS Office

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in marine biology, oceanography, acoustics, fisheries science, or related field
• Experience with acoustic localization techniques, including evaluation of automated algorithms within the standard processing software PAMGUARD, and developing of novel processing and evaluation code

Place of Performance

Work may be conducted on-site at PIFSC or remotely, depending on project needs and approval.

Travel

Anticipated travel includes participation in workshops, conferences, and working group meetings, as well as potential field or at-sea support activities.

About Lynker

Lynker is a growing, employee-owned business specializing in professional, scientific, and technical services. Our team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to achieve technically sound, cost-effective solutions in hydrology/water sciences, geospatial analysis, information technology, resource management, conservation, and management and business process improvement. Lynker focuses on putting the right people in the right place to be effective. Lynker offers a team-oriented work environment, and the opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions. Lynker's benefits include comprehensive healthcare, personal time off (PTO) policy, highly competitive compensation plan, and more.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to manage large datasets and maintain detailed documentation of analyses and workflows
• Ability to prepare technical reports and present findings
• To obtain and maintain required data access permissions, including signing Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) where applicable

About Lynker

Lynker is a growing, employee-owned business specializing in professional, scientific, and technical services. Our team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to achieve technically sound, cost-effective solutions in hydrology/water sciences, geospatial analysis, information technology, resource management, conservation, and management and business process improvement. Lynker focuses on putting the right people in the right place to be effective. Lynker offers a team-oriented work environment, and the opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions. Lynker's benefits include comprehensive healthcare, personal time off (PTO) policy, highly competitive compensation plan, and more.

Communication

All communication from Lynker recruiters will come from an official @lynker.com email address. Lynker has been made aware of fraudulent individuals posing as Lynker recruiters and offering fake job opportunities. All legitimate Lynker job postings are listed on our official careers page.