> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/1480917-mesophotic-and-deep-benthic-survey-lead](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1480917-mesophotic-and-deep-benthic-survey-lead). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Survey Lead - **Company:** Lynker Technologies - **Location:** Panama City, FL, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $70,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, ArcGIS (Software), Databases, Computer Literacy, Data Governance, Text Processing, Graphics Software, Data Processing - **Published:** July 29, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.jofdav.com/jobs/59025157-mesophotic-and-deep-benthic-survey-lead ## About the Role The Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Survey Lead should have the following: * A master's degree in marine science or a related field of study; or a bachelor's degree in marine science or a related field of study and at least three years of relevant experience. * Computer literacy and experience with common word-processing, database, statistical, and graphics programs. * Ability to prepare reports at the college level and deliver oral presentations. * Knowledge of ArcGIS, including the Spatial Analyst and 3D Analyst extensions, for mission planning and evaluation of spatial distributions. * Knowledge of Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Communities field-sampling protocols sufficient to lead or participate in surveys. * Functional knowledge of remotely operated vehicle, autonomous underwater vehicle, and uncrewed underwater vehicle operations. * Ability to develop logistical plans for at-sea operations involving remotely operated, autonomous, or uncrewed underwater vehicles. * Experience serving as the lead data collector during at-sea surveys. * Knowledge and skill using shipboard software that manages hydrological and biological data streams. * Proficiency using fish, invertebrate, and protected-species identification books and keys. * Knowledge of and ability to identify reef taxa from the Gulf of America. * Expert knowledge of major structure-forming invertebrates found in mesophotic and deep benthic communities of the Gulf of America. * Knowledge of procedures to follow when encountering endangered or threatened species. * Ability to coordinate field personnel and troubleshoot operational issues with limited resources while at sea. ## Description Duties of the Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Survey Lead will include the following: * Serve as a Field Party Chief, Watch Leader, or Survey Watch Stander during Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Communities surveys aboard NOAA ships and small research vessels. * Participate in other Population and Ecosystems Monitoring Division resource surveys, as requested. * Assist project management leads with survey preparation, execution, and completion. * Help establish survey schedules, coordinate equipment and supply requirements, and support the selection of survey vehicles such as autonomous underwater vehicles. * Prepare cruise instructions and cruise reports and complete required participant-clearance documentation. * Lead or support at-sea mapping and visual ground-truthing missions in accordance with established survey standard operating procedures. * Complete pre-survey and post-survey inventories and maintain survey equipment and gear. * Coordinate daily vessel activities, field personnel, vessel positions and movements, ports of call, and weather and sea-condition considerations. * Conduct biological and environmental sampling and log and process data or samples under field conditions. * Provide weekly progress updates to project leads and promptly report issues that may require changes to the survey plan. * Complete incident-reporting procedures for applicable NOAA small-boat operations. * Serve as a subject-matter expert and component lead for an assigned aspect of the survey or associated data activities. * Identify marine fishes in all life stages from mesophotic and deep reef habitats in the Gulf of America. * Annotate, review, and perform quality assurance and quality control on remotely operated vehicle video footage. * Review data entry and manage annotation review and tracking sheets. * Lead or support data projects involving Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Communities databases, associated applications, metadata, and survey procedures. * Help ensure data standardization, quality, delivery, backup, and security. * Compile existing bathymetric and biological information for mesophotic and deep benthic reefs in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone of the Gulf of America. * Coordinate applicable bathymetric data activities with the National Centers for Environmental Information and National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science Biogeography Branch. * Work with program personnel to integrate automated data outputs and support the interoperability of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms and libraries. * Manage video annotation data-entry projects and maintain project management tools. * Prepare and validate data for scientific analyses. * Assist with statistical approaches and the synthesis of survey data, including species-density calculations, graphs, and other scientific products. * Maintain knowledge of relevant scientific literature and develop data summaries. * Develop reports and presentations and assist with manuscripts prepared for publication. * Coordinate abstracts, presentations, and resulting publications. * Attend professional meetings and present or publish scientific results, as required. * Participate in marine science outreach and education activities, including school programs, science fairs, laboratory and ship tours, fairs, and festivals. ## Related Videos - [Hacking AI at the Edge of the Indian Ocean](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100177-hacking-ai-at-the-edge-of-the-indian-ocean) - [A beginner’s guide to modern natural language processing](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/858-a-beginner-s-guide-to-modern-natural-language-processing) - [Data Governance in the Era of AI](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1622-data-governance-in-the-era-of-ai) - [Kubernetes and Microservices with Multi-Model Databases](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/382-kubernetes-and-microservices-with-multi-model-databases) - [Data Science, ML & AI in the Oil and Gas Industry at NDT Global - Dr. Katja Träumner](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1308-data-science-ml-ai-in-the-oil-and-gas-industry-at-ndt-global-dr-katja-traumner) - [Multilingual NLP pipeline up and running from scratch](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/901-multilingual-nlp-pipeline-up-and-running-from-scratch) ## Related Articles - [What Are Large Language Models?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/304-what-are-large-language-models) - [Data Engineer Salary UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/253-data-engineer-salary-uk) - [What’s the Difference between a Junior, Mid, and Senior Developer?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/238-what-s-the-difference-between-a-junior-mid-and-senior-developer) - [A Guide to Green Tech and Green IT Careers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/374-a-guide-to-green-tech-and-green-it-careers) - [Top Big Data Technologies That You Need to Know](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/108-top-big-data-technologies-that-you-need-to-know) - [Everything a Developer Needs to Know About MCP with Neo4j](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/604-everything-a-developer-needs-to-know-about-mcp-with-neo4j)