NOAA Underwater Environmental Acoustics
NOAA monitors ocean processes like volcanic activity, marine life, and man-made noise using underwater acoustics and seeks to expand this monitoring globally.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
NRC Research Associateship Programs has archived this opportunity.
Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: May 1, 2025 (Application Deadline)
Funding Amounts: Base stipend approximately $58,000 plus $2,000 travel allowance; experience-based supplements available; typical award duration 2-3 years.
Summary: Supports postdoctoral and senior researchers conducting underwater environmental acoustics research at NOAA's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, focusing on ocean processes monitoring and acoustic impact on marine life.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and non-U.S. citizens; relocation and health insurance benefits included; requires contacting a NOAA research adviser prior to application.
Description
This fellowship opportunity is offered through the NRC Research Associateship Programs in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), specifically at the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) located in Newport, Oregon. Since 1991, PMEL has utilized passive underwater acoustics to monitor diverse oceanic processes. The research leverages hydrophones from fixed, cabled arrays such as the U.S. Navy’s SOund SUrveillance System (SOSUS) and portable autonomous hydrophone moorings developed in-house.
Research areas include:
- Continuous monitoring of volcanic activity at the Juan de Fuca Ridge
- Pacific-wide surveillance of low-level seismicity
- Interpretation of underwater landslides
- Study of movement and behavior of large marine mammals
- Long-term monitoring of natural and anthropogenic sound sources in the ocean to assess acoustic impacts on marine life
Future plans emphasize expanding monitoring capabilities to the global ocean and increasing focus on the effects of ocean noise. The research team comprises scientists, engineers, mathematicians, computer specialists, field technicians, and data analysts who work with real-time acoustic data streams.
This fellowship provides opportunities to exploit existing acoustic datasets for environmental science applications and to contribute to the development of large-scale technology for expanding the acoustic monitoring network globally.
