approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.
About the College/Unit/Department: The University of Georgia’s Skidaway Institute of Oceanography (SkIO) is a multidisciplinary research and training institution located on a 700-acre campus on Skidaway Island. The Institute’s primary goals are to further understanding of marine and environmental sciences, conduct leading edge research on marine and coastal systems, and train tomorrow’s scientists. Our campus is also a host to Georgia Southern University’s Applied Coastal Research Lab, NOAA Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, The University of Georgia’s Marine Education Center and Aquarium, and The Nature Conservancy. Skidaway Institute of Oceanography is also home to the Research Vessel (R/V) Savannah. The R/V Savannah is owned and operated by the Institute and is a member of the University National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) and Academic Research Fleet (ARF).
College/Unit/Department website: https://www.skio.uga.edu/about/uga-skidaway-institute-story/
Posting Type: External
Retirement Plan: GDCP
Employment Type: Employee
Benefits Eligibility: Non-Benefits Eligible
Full/Part time: Part Time
Additional Schedule Information: Part-time, work schedule and times will vary as needed
Advertised Salary: Commensurate with Experience
Posting Date: 05/18/2026
Open until filled: Yes
Proposed Starting Date: 06/01/2026
Location of Vacancy: Savannah Area
Classification Title: Research Paraprofessional/Professional
FLSA: Non-Exempt
FTE: 0.475
Minimum Qualifications: Requires technical knowledge in the field acquired through an apprenticeship, a 2-year degree, or professional certificate. Please contact your Human Resources office for an evaluation of education/experience in lieu of the required minimum qualifications.
Position Summary: Responsibilities will include assisting with various aspects of operations of autonomous underwater vehicles as needed, including preparation, testing, deployment/recovery, and examination of the data. There may also be the opportunity to contribute to other components of field research, depending on experience, interest, and project needs. Training on the use and operation of gliders and other AUVs will be provided by the principal investigator.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies:
- Knowledge of gliders or other autonomous underwater vehicles.
- Ability to meet physical demands of deploying/recovering instruments from small boats.
- Capable of sea-going activities related to coastal oceanographic data collection.
- Planning and organization skills.
- Ability to understand and interpret vehicle data streams for real-time decision making.
Physical Demands:
- Good physical conditioning and lift and carry a minimum of 50 pounds repeatedly throughout the workday.
- Driving as needed to perform job duties.
Is driving a responsibility of this position?: Yes
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Preparation and in-lab testing of gliders. Percentage of time: 30
- Assist with offshore operations, helping to deploy and/or recover gliders, including but not limited to piloting and monitoring under supervision. Percentage of time: 25
- Assemble and maintain inventory of equipment and supplies including but not limited to organized records of equipment maintenance. Percentage of time: 25
- Operate vehicles and laboratory equipment in a safe, technically correct manner. Percentage of time: 15
- Other duties as assigned and appropriate. Percentage of time: 5
