Position: Research Director

Location: Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, Washington, USA

The Whale Museum is seeking a Research Director.  Year-round FT.

Established in 1979 as the first U.S. museum dedicated to whales living in the wild, The Whale Museum promotes stewardship of whales and the Salish Sea ecosystem through education and research.  While The Whale Museum has conducted a large amount of research on killer whales and other marine mammals, there is ample room for the Museum's research program to grow.  The main focus of our work are the endangered Southern Resident killer whales but there are other marine mammal species of importance in our region, including Minke whales, harbor porpoise, Dall’s porpoise, harbor seals, Steller sea lions, and other species.  Current department projects focus on: acoustics, vessel effects and marine mammal health.  Partnerships with other organizations and researchers are critical to our work.  Current partnerships include, but are not limited to, NOAA-NWR (regional marine mammal sightings database), The SeaDoc Society (the San Juan County Marine Mammal Stranding Network and marine mammal diseases), and Beam Reach Marine Science & Sustainability School (SeaSound and www.orcasound.net; includes maintenance of a significant hydrophone array on the westside of the Island).

The Research Director is expected to actively engage in research as well as track research in the region in order to translate scientific work into public educational exhibits for display in The Whale Museum.  The Research Director reports to the Museum Executive Director, overseeing a department which includes one part-time staff member, summer interns and volunteers.  The Research Director maintains an in-town office as well as one at the Lime Kiln Point Lighthouse Research Facility. 

The successful candidate will have understanding of and experience with research priorities related to the endangered Southern Resident killer whales.  The Research Director is expected to grant write for a portion of their salary.  Qualifications: Ph.D. in a relevant field, demonstrated history of peer-reviewed publication, excellent technological skills (i.e., database management, ARC-GIS), grant writing, and department & project management experience. 

Electronic submissions are encouraged.  It is suggested that a PDF compiled with the requested information be submitted. 

Send cover letter, resume and up to five references (either reference letter or contact information for each reference) by Sept. 7 to: 

Jenny L. Atkinson

Executive Director

The Whale Museum

P. O. Box 945

Friday Harbor, WA 98250

Email: jenny@whalemuseum.org

Website: www.whalemuseum.org