Christopher W Clark Postdoctoral Associate: Large Whale Monitoring Using Distributed Acoustics Sensing

K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University's second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world's complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

The mission of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is to interpret and conserve the Earth's biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds and nature. It is currently home to a vibrant community of several dozen postdoctoral associates working across all programs. We strive to provide a supportive and collaborative environment for this community that fosters personal growth and career advancement. The K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics (https://bioacoustics.cornell.edu) is one of the six Lab programmatic units. Its mission is to collect and interpret sounds in nature by developing and applying innovative conservation technologies across ecologically relevant scales to inspire and inform the conservation of wildlife and habitats. Bioacoustics research from data engineering to ecological outputs, hardware and software development, and global capacity building are the Yang Center's pillars of bioacoustic innovation.

The successful applicant will be co-mentored by Dr. Lea Bouffaut (lea.bouffaut@cornell.edu) and Dr. Holger Klinck (Holger.Klinck@cornell.edu) to contribute to the development of a real-time monitoring solution for large whales using Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS). The mentoring team combines over 30 years of experience in marine bioacoustics, including the development of hardware and software solutions for passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) applications. This dual mentorship will provide rich, interdisciplinary guidance, ensuring a robust support system for the applicant's research and professional development.

Position Function

DAS is a recent technology that leverages the existing infrastructure of subsea telecommunication cables and converts them into large-scale and dense listening arrays (https://tinyurl.com/Bouffaut2022). It allows scientists to monitor the low-frequency underwater soundscape over many tens of kilometers with unprecedented spatial resolution. An existing challenge associated with this technology is the exceedingly high density of data being collected (many Terabytes per day). Hence, to operationalize DAS, the incoming data streams need to be processed in situ. The goal of the DAS4Whales project is to utilize DAS to monitor vocalizing baleen whales in real-time to support time critical conservation efforts (e.g., avoidance of ship strikes).

This position will work with us on developing and applying a DAS-specific data processing pipeline that enables species recognition, localization, and tracking. In addition, we will create data visualizations tools to inform conservation decisions. The created tools should adhere to FAIR and CARE principles and contribute to the open-source DAS4Whales (https://tinyurl.com/DAS4Whales) Python package.

Given the multidisciplinary nature of the project, a wide range of applicant profiles (e.g., backgrounds in acoustics, geophysics, seismology, oceanography, engineering, computer sciences, etc.) will be considered. Applicants are not expected to have previous experience with DAS, but should have knowledge in handling and manipulating large datasets.

This position is a one year position appointed annually, up to 3 years, contingent upon funding and performance. Additionally, a $10,000/year discretionary fund is provided to cover costs such as computing resources and travel to conferences.

Anticipated Division of Time

Expected outcomes of this work are the development of a DAS real-time analysis pipeline, Python software packages, high-impact peer-reviewed publications, and conference presentations. The position will participate in fieldwork/data collection efforts and train collaborators at workshops.

• Conduct research to develop a DAS real-time analysis pipeline (40 %)
• Document, publish, and maintain accessible code supporting the proposed methods (25%)
• Present results at professional meetings, conferences, and public seminars. Prepare manuscripts for high impact peer reviewed journals and other research products, including training materials, reports (20%)
• Participate in career and professional development opportunities (10%)
• Engage in ongoing academic and intellectual life at Cornell University (5%)

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in acoustics, computer sciences, engineering, geophysics, seismology, oceanography or relevant field
• Strong programming and analytical skills,
• Writing skills and a strong publication record for the professional stage of the applicant
• Ability to travel internationally and conduct fieldwork. Field work may be located from the US east coast, Alaska, Canada, Europe, etc. and would be determined based on the projects that are applied for and approved. We expect travel to occur a few times a year, not exceeding 2 months in total.
• Fluency in English

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Python programming
• Experience working with large acoustic dataset
• Familiarity with GitHub
• Familiarity with machine learning

Supervision Exercised

The incumbent will be expected to meet regularly with mentors and collaborators to the progress of the project. In addition, there are opportunities for the incumbent to mentor undergraduate students and possibly contribute to informal mentoring of graduate students, but neither activity is expected or required.

Salary, rewards, and benefits

Salary is commensurate with experience, between $64,000-$68,000 per year and includes benefits.

The position is based in Ithaca, NY, where personnel will have the flexibility to work on a hybrid schedule with opportunities to work on-site and from home.

Benefits provided by Cornell include a broad range of comprehensive health care options, generous paid leave provisions: 3 weeks of vacation, 13 holidays (including end of year winter break), paid family leave, and superior retirement contributions. Additionally, Cornell provides access to professional development initiatives, wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands.

To apply

Please apply via Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/29547.

Qualified candidates should submit a short cover letter, curriculum vitae including a list of publications and links to any open code repositories, contact information for three references, and astatement supporting diverse communities(this can be a stand-alone document (preferred) or the information can be embedded in other parts of the application materials) outlining how, through research, accessible software development, tutorial creation, teaching, service, mentoring, and/or outreach, the candidate has and will contribute to support Cornell's historical mission of "any person ... any study," via the website.

Review of applications will begin four weeks after posting and will continue until a suitable applicant is identified.

Start date is July 1st, 2025 or later.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Life. Changing.

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Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

Pay Range:

Pay Ranges:

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience.
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.
• Academic Discipline
• Unique applicable skills.

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For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email mycareer@cornell.edu.

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EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual's genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.