Firmware Developer, Acoustic-Detection Buoy

Programmer/Analyst III -- Band F

DESCRIPTION: The Lab of Ornithology is currently accepting applications for a Firmware Developer. Duties include:

• • Contribute to the creation and implementation of advanced acoustic data acquisition hardware, data processing and signal processing software, and techniques to support ongoing and future research in the field of animal bioacoustics at the Bioacoustics Research Program (BRP) at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Current biological research projects by scientists in the group involve the study of communication systems and behavior in whales, elephants, endangered songbirds, tropical banded wrens, woodpeckers, owls, mockingbirds, and other birds. Current technology projects include automatic detection buoys and communication systems to monitor North Atlantic Right Whales (NARW) and prevent ship/whale collisions along the eastern coast of the United States, development of extensible software platforms for algorithm research and data analysis, software development for storing large amounts of metadata into common data stores, and algorithm research to develop or improve detection and classification techniques for finding and classifying animal vocalizations.
• • Plan, design, implement, test, document, fabricate, and support hardware and software projects.
• • Act as lead developer for the embedded system firmware, including design, development, implementation, testing, support, and evaluation of: embedded linux operating systems, custom real-time acoustic detection engine, reporting and telemetry software, detection algorithms, and hardware/modem interface code.
• • Support existing, deployed production code, and development of new code in C, Python, shell and Kermit scripts.
• • Recruit and interview new team members, train new team members in the hardware and software architecture, and train users and researchers on how to use the systems.
• • Collaborate with a project manager to coordinate the successful project management, scheduling, and budgeting of the project.

Annual term appointment. Part-time position, 20 hours per week, eligible for benefits. Applicants to provide resume and contact information for 3 references.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field with two to three years relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• • Experience applying signal and image processing techniques and theory to visual and acoustic pattern recognition problems.
• • Experience with circuit design, electronics, software design, structured programming, and writing software using MATLAB, and C.
• • 3+ years strong programming experience in C and digital signal processing, facility with shell, python, and Kermit scripting languages.
• • 2 years experience SQLite databases.
• • 2 years embedded Linux development.
• • Experience with interfacing various modem hardware (cell-phone modules, Iridium modems).
• • Coursework in signal and image processing and statistics.
• • Proven ability to learn new programming languages quickly.
• • Must be able to communicate technical language in layman's terms.
• • Demonstrable skills in problem solving, critical thinking, and written and oral communication.
• • Must have very strong communication skills to be able to coordinate with others on the team.
• • Proficiency with remote-collaboration and development tools.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• • Experience writing computer code for image and sound analysis.
• • Knowledge of software analytical and statistical tools, as well as general tools for graphing and figure drawing.
• • 5 years experience writing software in C, Python.
• • 4 years experience RDBMS and SQLite development.
• • Experience supporting end users and maintaining source code.
• • 3 years Gumstix embedded development experience, OMAP development.
• • Experience in technical project leadership.

BARN Software Developer - 11534

Programmer Analyst II - Band E (two positions available)

DESCRIPTION:

• • Contribute to the development and maintenance of web-based sound analysis software tools and support ongoing and future research in the field of animal bioacoustics at the Bioacoustics Research Program at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Current scientific research projects supported by our software involve the study of communication systems and behavior in whales, elephants, migrating birds, endangered birds, and other birds.
• • Under guidance of project lead, perform tasks to help move forward the overall set of tools provided by the group through the BARN project, http://barn.xbat.org. The BARN project develops tools to support the creation of networked annotated sound libraries. Our web-based tools allow users to maintain and richly annotate sound collections in support of their research.
• • Collaborate with local and remote end users to answer questions, investigate and recreate problems, and recommend resolutions.
• • Meet with team to discuss solutions, take advice from lead regarding the implementation of solutions.
• • Implement data conversion utilities, user interface features, and other software features designed by self or others to fit into established architecture.
• • Develop features to facilitate the acquisition, curation, scanning, review, and reporting of acoustic data and metadata to support the field of bioacoustics research.
• • Tasks may include but are not limited to file upload methods; metadata manipulation and storage; web browser-based user-initiated scan, review, and reporting; integration of signal processing components into a workflow; and development of tagging and filtering schemes.
• • Develop software using a variety of technologies (Ruby, Javascript, RDBMS, MATLAB, LAMP, others as needed) to stretch the possibilities of the system for the research community.
• • Collaborate within a team environment to provide documentation to developers and end users for the best ways to use the software.
• • Provide consultation and training to staff, faculty, students, and visiting research colleagues to use the innovative technologies available.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• • Bachelor's degree with three to four years relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• • Experience maintaining source code using version control.
• • Experience with software design and development using two or more of the following technologies: Ruby (various frameworks and tools: Rails, RSpec, Sinatra, Capistrano, gems), Javascript (jQuery, JSON, Processing.js), RDBMS (SQL, MySQL, SQLite, JDBC), MATLAB (signal, image processing, data-visualization), LAMP maintenance and administration.
• • Proven ability to learn new programming languages quickly.
• • Experience with web-design for data-driven and/or multi-media applications.
• • Must be able to communicate technical language clearly in layman's terms.
• • Demonstrable skills in problem solving, critical thinking, and clear written and oral communication.
• • Ability to work well with a diverse group in a professional and respectful work environment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• • Master's degree desired in computer science, computer engineering, or related field preferred.
• • Coursework in statistics, machine-learning, data-mining or database systems.
• • Experience applying and developing data-mining strategies and systems; knowledge of analytical and statistical tools, as well as general tools for graphing and figure drawing.
• • Experience performing independent literature searches and scientific research.
• • Experience writing software in Python, Java, and/or PHP.
• • Experience working on software projects outside a classroom environment.
• • Knowledge of and experience using XML.

Technology Director - 11383

DESCRIPTION: The Bioacoustics Research Program at the Lab of Ornithology is searching for an interdisciplinary, multi-talented scientist with extensive experience in engineering as well as a solid understanding of biology and the scientific process to serve as a Technology Director. Duties include:

• • Conduct original research in the field of animal bioacoustics.
• • Collaborate with, oversee, guide, and advise other researchers, software and hardware engineering staff on algorithm research, electronic and software systems design, and the development of customized hardware and software solutions that facilitate the research of the Bioacoustics Research Program.
• • Promote interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration, and take a lead role in projects.
• • Conduct and collaborate on original research in the area of engineering and bioacoustics, publishing in scientific journals, writing grants, proposals, and white papers to support the group's research and engineering goals.
• • Research and develop novel algorithms and methodologies for the analysis and quantitative comparison of animal sounds, including statistical hypothesis testing, as well as sound characterization and classification.
• • Conceptualize and generate complex hardware and software systems to implement robust solutions for data collection and data processing to include analysis and reporting.
• • Consult with other researchers, software developers, hardware engineers, and data analysis staff to advise on strategies and paradigms, with the goal of improving the efficiency and accuracy of the data collection, analysis and reporting activities.

This is a full-time, 3-year appointment pending renewable funding.

REQUIREMENTS:

• • PhD in engineering, physical acoustics, bio-engineering, or related field.
• • Experience in marine science research, with an emphasis on marine acoustics.
• • Prior experience in signal processing research and development; algorithm research and development.
• • Must have a record of repeated success in conducting research which supports the needs and mission of the program.
• • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• • Must have a record of successfully meeting schedules and milestones of engineering/technology development projects that involve multiple stages and several participants.
• • Must have a strong record of enhancing the performance of a team through productive collaboration and effective staff management.
• • Prior supervisory or management experience preferred.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Send a letter of application, complete resume, list of references and academic transcripts to: Susan Taggart, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, 283A Johnson Center for Birds & Biodiversity, Ithaca, NY 14850. Inquiries about position specifics can be directed to Chris Clark, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY 14850. Phone: 607-254-2405; Email cwc2@cornell.edu. Review of applicants will continue until the position is filled.

Project Leader, The YardMap Network - 11393

DESCRIPTION: The Lab of Ornithology is currently accepting applications for a Project Leader for The YardMap Network. Duties include:

• • Serve as Project Leader for development, beta-testing, launching, and evaluation of The YardMap Network, a continent-wide citizen-science project that will involve over 100-thousand participants in educational activities that include mapping, discussing, and inventing sustainable practices in their backyards and parks. These practices focus on habitat management to promote bird survival and reproductive success and household practices that promote carbon neutrality.
• • Develop, test, and launch the YardMap application and integrate it with other citizen science projects.
• • Manage the project, collaborate with the Director of Citizen Science to develop a work flow and collaborative framework, determine timetables, and create a communication structure that will keep the team informed.
• • Interact daily with the web designer and application developer.
• • Schedule and lead meetings on an "as needed" basis and assume responsibility for organization and completion of the project, including making sure the goals, objectives, and responsibilities are clear to each team-member.
• • Solicit and organize input from the co-PI's as needed (including specialists in ecology, citizen science, education, psychology, and resilience), the partners (USFWS, National Audubon, The American Community Gardening Association, The Roger Tory Peterson Institute), advisory board members (including advisors from Google and Make Magazine), representatives of related web enterprises (Instructables.com), and evaluator, to ensure that responsibilities are clear, and adhere to the timeline and requirements of the project.
• • Develop the educational resources and collaborate with the evaluator towards evaluating and refining project materials such as The YardMap Application, instructional materials and videos, graphics, educational materials, online data forms, and social networking tools.
• • Develop and oversee construction and maintenance of the interactive web site.
• • Collaborate with the Cornell Lab's and partners' communications and marketing staff to maximize project recruitment.
• • Handle all interactions with project participants.
• • Manage the project budget.
• • Collaborate with the director of citizen science and the Cornell Lab's development officer to raise funds for project continuation.
• • Organize workshops for partner organizations and communicate with project leaders of other Cornell citizen science projects: NestWatch, Project FeederWatch, Celebrate Urban Birds, eBird, and Cornell Cooperative Extensions's Vegetable Varieties to ensure tight integration of sign-in, links, data entry, databases, and web design.

One-year term appointment with possibility of renewal based upon funding. Applicants to provide resume and contact information for 3 references.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• • Bachelors in Biology, natural resources, or related field; more than 2 but less than 3 years experience or equivalent.
• • At least two years experience in ecological field research, including some data analysis, along with demonstrated understanding of research methodology and field-based science education.
• • Experience teaching or designing educational programs for the public is highly desired.
• • Proven skills in project management and coordination are essential, along with excellent communication skills, including writing and public speaking.
• • Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite and standard statistical analysis software (R, SAS) helpful.
• • Proven skills in project management and coordination are essential.
• • Familiarity and proficiency with the World Wide Web is critical.
• • Good working knowledge of current software such as Plone or Net Community (html), Microsoft office.
• • Use of and familiarity with social networking applications such as Facebook, chat tools, and Twitter.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• • Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, Ecology, Environmental Science, Environmental Education, or Natural Resources and experience teaching undergraduates.
• • The mix of scientific, educational, and technical skills required for this position is unusual and some interest in and understanding of social networking/social media and social learning will be important.
• • Ability to articulate a basic understanding of pedagogy, informal science education, and social learning are important and should be obtained via scholarship prior to interview.
• • This project requires a self-motivated and organized individual who has a passionate interest in using the web as a tool to conduct research on ecology and human social behavior/motivation/learning/environmental behavior/altruism as well as a strong commitment to our mission of educating the public on scientific aspects of conservation, including land use and carbon neutrality.
• • Record of publishing peer-reviewed scientific papers a plus.
• • Recreational bird-watching experience and an understanding of the bird-watching mentality are desirable.