Marine Technologist - Sharjah Marine Science Research Center

About the Role
Contribute to the development of new technical capabilities that support internationally competitive marine research. The Marine Technologist will play an important role in maintaining safe marine operations, supporting student training, and ensuring that the Centre's technical facilities continue to operate to the highest professional standards.

Key Accountabilities

• Plan, prepare and support marine field campaigns in coastal and offshore environments.
• Deploy, recover, maintain, calibrate and repair marine scientific equipment and observing systems.
• Operate and maintain autonomous marine technologies including autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), remotely operated systems and other emerging marine technologies where required.
• Operate, maintain and troubleshoot oceanographic instrumentation including CTD/rosette systems, water quality sondes, ADCPs, data loggers, environmental sensors and telemetry systems.
• Deploy and maintain marine observing infrastructure including instrumented buoys, moorings, seabed landers and environmental sensor arrays.
• Support the deployment and recovery of sampling equipment including plankton nets, benthic sampling equipment, sediment corers, grab samplers and associated deck equipment.
• Prepare research vessels and scientific equipment for field operations, ensuring all equipment is operational, calibrated and fit for purpose.
• Diagnose equipment faults and undertake practical mechanical, electrical and electronic repairs both in the workshop and during field operations.
• Assist with fabrication, modification and assembly of bespoke scientific equipment and deployment systems.
• Configure, operate and maintain computer-controlled scientific instrumentation, data acquisition systems, telemetry equipment and associated software.
• Support the integration of marine instrumentation with IT networks, communications systems and data management infrastructure.
• Maintain accurate maintenance schedules, calibration records, equipment inventories and technical documentation.
• Contribute to procurement, commissioning, testing and acceptance of new marine technologies and scientific equipment.
• Develop and implement preventative maintenance programmes to maximise equipment reliability and operational readiness.
• Provide technical advice to researchers during project planning to ensure the selection and effective use of appropriate marine technologies.
• Train researchers, postgraduate students and technical staff in the safe and effective operation of marine scientific equipment.
• Support teaching, outreach and demonstration activities where specialist marine technology expertise is required.
• Ensure all marine operations comply with University Health and Safety policies, maritime regulations and recognised best practice.
• Participate in risk assessments and contribute to the continual improvement of safe systems of work for laboratory, workshop and marine field activities.

Key Interactions
Internal

• Head of Science Facilities
• Academic marine research and operational support staff at SMSRC
• UKF students
• SMSRC Ocean Literacy, Impact and Partnerships team
• UKF operational staff (communications, partnerships, engagements, finance and procurement)

External

• Equipment manufacturers and suppliers
• Marine engineering contractors
• Vessel operators
• Government agencies
• Research collaborators
• International research partners
• Visiting researchers and students

Qualification & Experience
Essential:

• Master's degree or equivalent qualification/experience in Marine Technology, Marine Engineering, Ocean Technology, Oceanography, Marine Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience supporting marine scientific operations.
• Experience operating and maintaining marine scientific instrumentation.
• Experience supporting coastal and offshore fieldwork.
• Practical engineering skills with the ability to diagnose and repair mechanical, electrical and electronic equipment.
• Experience using computer-controlled instrumentation and scientific data acquisition systems.
• Experience working safely in marine operational environments.
• Fluent English.

Desirable:

• Experience with autonomous marine systems including AUVs, ASVs or gliders.
• Small boat handling qualification (e.g. RYA Powerboat Level 2 or equivalent).
• Scientific or commercial SCUBA qualification.
• Workshop fabrication experience.
• Electronics and sensor integration experience.
• Experience operating deck equipment and lifting operations.
• Experience in a university or marine research organisation.
• First Aid certification.
• Marine radio operator qualification.

Skills & Competencies
Essential:

• Excellent practical engineering and technical skills.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and fault-finding ability.
• Basic electrical and electronic diagnostic skills.
• Practical approach with the ability to develop effective solutions to technical problems.
• High level of IT literacy, including operation of network-connected scientific instruments, telemetry systems and data acquisition software.
• Excellent organisational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain accurate technical records and equipment documentation.
• Ability to prioritise competing operational demands.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of multidisciplinary scientific teams.
• Flexible approach to work, including offshore fieldwork and occasional work outside normal office hours.
• Strong commitment to Health, Safety and environmental protection.

Desirable

• Experience using GIS and environmental data management software.
• Familiarity with programming or scripting for scientific instrumentation.
• Experience supporting marine autonomous observing systems.
• Knowledge of marine communications systems.
• Experience working in multicultural and international research environments.