Programmer/Analyst II - 08530

One-year term appointment with possibility of renewal based upon availability of funding.

DESCRIPTION: Contribute to the creation, implementation, testing, and support of integrated sound analysis software tools and techniques and an extensible sound analysis software platform (XBAT) to support ongoing and future research in the field of animal bioacoustics in the Bioacoustics Research Program at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Current research projects by scientists in the group involve the study of communication systems and behavior in whales, elephants, migrating songbirds, endangered songbirds, tropical banded wrens, woodpeckers, owls, mockingbirds, and other birds. Perform tasks to help forward the overall set of tools provided by the group under the guidance of several senior members of the Bioacoustics Research Program software engineering team. Provide end-user support and maintenance of existing tools. Work with local and remote end users to answer questions, investigate and recreate problems, and recommend resolutions. Meet with senior developers on the team to discuss your suggested solutions, take advice from those developers, and implement some of the solutions yourself. Develop and execute test plans for extensible acoustic analysis software. Implement data conversion utilities, user interface features, and other software features designed by self or others to fit into established architecture. Work within a team environment to provide documentation to developers and end users for the best ways to use the software. Build integrated web sites to allow developers and users to download software, discuss problems, and contribute additional extensions to the project. Provide consultation and training to staff, faculty, students, and visiting research colleagues to use the innovative technologies available. Applicants to provide resume and contact information for 3 references.

REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor's degree with one to two years relevant experience or equivalent combination. Experience supporting end users and maintaining source code. Experience with software design, structured programming, and writing software using MATLAB, Java, and/or C++. Proven ability to learn new programming languages quickly. Experience writing graphical user interfaces in MATLAB, Java, and/or C++. Must be able to communicate technical language in layman's terms. Demonstrable skills in problem solving, critical thinking, and written and oral communication. Ability to work well with a diverse group in a professional and respectful work environment. Must be able to provide excellent customer service within a team. Ability to balance project priorities and competing deadlines. Demonstrates sound judgment when acting on behalf of BRP and Cornell. Coursework in signal and image processing and statistics. Proven ability to learn new programming languages quickly. Master's degree desired in computer science, computer engineering, applied mathematics, electrical engineering or related field preferred. Coursework in signal and image processing and statistics. Experience applying signal and image processing techniques and theory to visual and acoustic pattern recognition problems. 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. Experience performing independent literature searches and scientific research. Experience writing software in C, Python, Perl, Java, and/or PHP. Experience working on software projects outside a classroom environment. Knowledge of and experience using XML.

Audio Archivist - 08293

Regular work schedule will be an evening shift to be decided between supervisor and candidate selected.

DESCRIPTION: In accordance with established archival protocols, and in collaboration with external and internal researchers, this position is responsible for developing the resources of the Macaulay Library (ML). Organize, repair, and ingest original field recordings into an advanced digital asset storage and management system. Evaluate, prepare, and enter field data into database. Perform required maintenance of studio equipment. Prepare regular progress reports for the curator. Assist in preparing materials for reports, grants and publications. Perform or assist in field recordings. Assist in preparing and packing equipment for shipment to recordists and courses. Identify, prioritize, schedule and define scope of archival projects. Review, evaluate and proofread text data corresponding to specimen recordings. Identify media in advanced state of deterioration then undertake or schedule restoration. Field and fulfill media distribution requests from the archive. Train staff in curatorial operations. Serve as guide to the facilities for visitors. Applicants to provide resume and contact information for 3 references.

REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor's degree in biological sciences or other formal training program of 4 years or equivalent; 2-4 years experience or equivalent. Must be interested and able to quickly build knowledge in principles of animal communication and taxonomy. Must possess discriminating visual and listening skills. Must have demonstrable ability to learn sound editing techniques. Computer experience including, but not limited to email, web browsers, spreadsheets, and word processing. Additional knowledge is required in both the Windows and Macintosh operating systems. Must know, or be able to learn quickly, software for media editing, analysis, and database management. Ability to work independently while supporting the efforts and mission of the team. Must be able to work and communicate well with others. Must be able to adapt to changing priorities, situations, and demands. Demonstrates accountability in all work responsibilities. Preferred: Knowledge and training in animal behavior.

Endowed Chair and Professor or Associate Professor, Cornell Lab of Ornithology - 08226

DESCRIPTION: The Macaulay Library (ML) (http://www.birds.cornell.edu/macaulaylibrary/) serves two roles: 1) a major int'l resource for archiving, curation, and scholarly use of natural sound recordings and animal behavior videos from around the world 2) services variety of public needs for natural sound/video recordings in research, conservation, public and commercial media, education.

ML Directorship and Robert Engel Professorship: Supervise staff and have budgetary responsibility for the ML, the world's largest repository of sound and video recordings of birds and other wildlife. Expected to supervise/promote the continued growth of the archive, to encourage/promote usage of ML's resources by parties inside/outside of Cornell. Collaborate with other CLO directors on cross-programmatic initiatives in pursuit of CLO mission (interpret and conserve earth's biological diversity through research, education, citizen science focused on birds). Research: Candidates must have demonstrated excellence in research involving animal communication preferably in birds. Expected to develop a strong, externally funded research program. Teaching/Student Training: Will have an academic home in the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior (NB&B). We seek a biologist with charismatic teaching/mentoring skills who is willing/able to engage undergrad science majors, non-majors, grad students, postdoctoral fellows, and the general public in the wonders of nature and the process and results of scientific inquiry. Contribute to teaching undergrad and/or grad courses in Animal Communication or related topics. Outreach: The ML delivers video, sounds, recording instruction, and sound analysis tools to public, educational institutions, and commercial entities. Collaborate w/the CLO Education Program to present the collections to general public in a way that promotes learning about birds, conservation, science. Collaborate w/the CLO Communications and Marketing group to disseminate Macaulay resources to a broad range of audiences world-wide. Univ Relations: Will be a full faculty member in NB&B and must be willing to participate actively in faculty meetings, tenure decisions, and departmental committees, and to interact w/other Cornell departments or programs that share similar archival or curatorial goals to those of the ML. Grad Students: Involvement in graduate education is expected, including direct supervision of grad students, service on dissertation committees, and participation in graduate-level colloquia and seminar courses. Fund raising/development: Expected to generate extramural funding for research program and for special projects w/in the ML. Must be adept at communicating with CLO's Administrative Board and donors about research at CLO and importance of the ML. Supervision: Reports to the Louis Agassiz Fuertes Director of CLO and the Chair of the Department of NB&B. Supervisory responsibility for the ML's archive of sound and video recordings, programmatic activities, 20+ program staff.

REQUIREMENTS: Ph.D. in animal behavior, behavioral ecology, evolutionary ecology, psychology, or a related field and an active, independent research program with demonstrated ability to publish in peer-reviewed journals. Teaching qualifications include excellence in teaching lecture or lab courses and strong commitment to graduate education. Prior administrative experience is extremely helpful, but not required.

Send a letter of application, curriculum vitae, brief statement of teaching and research interests, and a list of 3-5 references to: Susan Taggart, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, 283A Johnson Center for Birds & Biodiversity, Ithaca, NY 14850. Review of applicants will begin September 1, 2008 and continue until the position is filled.

Electrical Systems Engineer - 07331

One-year term appointment with possibility of renewal based upon availability of funding.

DESCRIPTION: Serve as an integral member of the Bioacoustics Research Program (BRP) Engineering team. Participate in the implementation of engineering and project goals. Provide consultation as requested by BRP PI's, Engineering Team Leader, and/or Program Manager on grant proposals and contract opportunities. Offer technical feasibility, schedule development and estimated development costs on new design or current product enhancements. Design, construct, test, evaluate and deploy unique, sophisticated tools for research initiatives. Evaluate, purchase, and assemble new and unique instrumentation to accomplish the research goals. This may require extended and relatively strenuous field work in remote areas. Work with the Engineering Team Leader, marketing and fabrication personnel to transition viable designs to production.Work closely with other engineering team members to effectively implement required product functionality at the hardware, embedded software, and application software levels. Assist in and influence decisions regarding the partitioning of functionality across these levels. Work closely with equipment end-users and focus groups to elicit product functional and human interface requirements throughout the development life cycle, from initial product and interface specification to field use feedback. Prioritize features to assist in rapid prototyping and staged development and release of functional software and/or prototype systems. Development work will often involve systems designed for a broad base of users external to the engineering team, often having a limited technical knowledge base. A high degree of importance is placed on arriving at simple, robust, and clearly documented solutions to often complex technological problems. Applicants to provide resume and 3 references.

REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or equivalent. 3 to 5 years of embedded systems engineering experience. Demonstrated ability to design, develop and implement complex electronics systems according to a set of requirements. Ability to develop testing procedures, execute tests, and analyze test results. Must have a working knowledge of many computer languages/architectures, and communication protocols, with an emphasis on operating fundamentals. The ability to produce creative, unique, general-purpose solutions to technically complex problems is a must. Must be able to work independently as well as part of a team. Must be organized, able to manage own work by establishing realistic goals and deliver work on schedule. Excellent customer relation skills. Ability to travel to remote locations, including internationally, when necessary. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Experience with C, C++, or MATLAB. Preferred: Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or equivalent. Experience with object-oriented programming. Experience building equipment capable of collecting data suitable for signal processing and statistical analyses. Experience with Assembly Language programming, DSP and Micro-Controller development, CAD tools, Circuit Simulation software. Language proficiency in JAVA and Assembly. Experience in the scientific process, including the planning and execution of field research. Knowledge of animal communication, biology, ecology or oceanography.

Electrical Systems Engineer - 07317

One-year term appointment with possibility of renewal based upon availability of funding.

DESCRIPTION: The Bioacoustics Research Program (BRP) at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (CLO) is seeking a full-time Electrical Systems Engineer. BRP integrates the fields of behavioral biology, electrical engineering, and software engineering to answer questions regarding animal communication and behavior. This is accomplished by developing and utilizing acoustic and radio frequency instrumentation and related software to monitor and analyze populations of threatened and endangered species. Under general direction of the Lead Engineer, design, construct, test, evaluate and document unique, sophisticated tools and prototype technologies for research initiatives. Additional responsibilities will include assembling, and evaluating new and unique instrumentation, developing test procedures, conducting bench and field testing, and documenting developed systems, and work with other member of the engineering, marketing and fabrication teams to transition viable designs to production. This may require the ability to periodically perform extended and relatively strenuous field work in remote areas. Development work will often involve systems designed for a broad base of users external to the engineering team, often having a limited technical knowledge base. A high degree of importance is placed on arriving at clearly documented solutions to often complex technological problems. Applicants to provide resume and 3 references.

REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or equivalent; with 1-2 years related experience. Demonstrated ability to design, develop and implement complex electronics systems according to a set of requirements. Ability to develop testing procedures, execute tests, and analyze test results. Must have a working knowledge of computer languages/architectures, and communication protocols, with an emphasis on operating fundamentals. Must be able to work collaboratively with other members of the engineering team. Ability to travel to remote locations, including internationally, when necessary. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Experience with C, C++, or MATLAB. Ability to obtain and maintain a valid driver's license and passport. Preferred: Experience with object-oriented programming. Experience building equipment capable of collecting data suitable for signal processing and statistical analyses. Experience with JAVA, assembly language programming, DSP and micro-controller development, CAD tools, circuit simulation software. Experience in the scientific process, including the planning and execution of field research. Knowledge of animal communication, biology, ecology or oceanography.