Assistant Scientist – Coral Restoration Technologies

About the role

The University of Miami’s Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies seeks an Assistant Scientist to develop innovative technologies and computational tools for coral restoration and reef resilience. You will join a multidisciplinary team at NOAA and UM laboratories in Miami, working on both laboratory and field projects.

Key responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test novel robotic and semi‑automated systems for coral handling, propagation, outplanting, and monitoring.
• Integrate sensors, cameras, and environmental monitoring equipment into restoration workflows.
• Develop computer‑vision and image‑analysis pipelines for coral health assessment and growth measurement.
• Lead field deployments, troubleshooting, and refinement of technologies in coral nurseries and reef environments.
• Manage funded projects, including budgeting, planning, and coordination of staff and student workers.
• Prepare manuscripts, reports, and grant proposals to secure external funding.

Required profile

• Doctoral degree in marine science or a related field with at least one year of postdoctoral research experience.
• Demonstrated coding skills and experience with Python, R, or similar languages.
• Experience with small boats and AAUS SCUBA diving certification.
• Highly motivated, organized, and able to thrive in a dynamic lab environment.

Required skills

• Python programming
• R for data analysis
• CAD design and 3D printing
• Robotics (robotic arms, Arduino, Raspberry Pi)
• Electronics and rapid prototyping
• Computer vision and image analysis