August 27, 2026
Research Assistant Opportunity
This email is to announce an open Research Assistant (RA) position in the Ocean Data Lab, focused on a cutting-edge underwater sensing technology called Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS).
DAS uses existing subsea fiber-optic cables — the same infrastructure used for telecommunications — as dense arrays of acoustic sensors, enabling underwater sound and vibration to be measured over tens of kilometers with unprecedented spatial resolution. The project applies DAS to underwater communication, using real-world data from cabled ocean observatories.
The position will be co-advised by Dr. Shima Abadi (School of Oceanography) and Dr. Payman Arabshahi (Electrical & Computer Engineering), offering a strong interdisciplinary training experience spanning ocean acoustics and signal processing.
Qualifications:
– Demonstrated interest and coursework/experience in signal processing
– Background or strong interest in underwater communications
– Familiarity with spectral analysis techniques (e.g., FFT, spectrograms, filtering)
– Proficiency in a scientific programming language (Python preferred)
– Strong motivation for interdisciplinary, hands-on research combining engineering and oceanography
Special consideration will be given to students interested in continuing on to a PhD in ECE, building on this project long-term. Please apply only if strongly qualified!
Interested students are asked to send a CV, transcript, and a brief statement (half a page) describing relevant background and research interests to Dr. Abadi and Dr. Arabshahi by Sept. 15.