Principal Research Scientist

Reporting to a Professor, the Research Scientist Principal contributes to the research and training mission of the Department of Biology.

About the role

This position advances cutting-edge research and education in the biological sciences by generating new knowledge about the major processes that contribute to the diversity of life, mentoring students in preparation for STEM fields, broadening participation of underrepresented groups in academic research, and engaging with the community through outreach. Responsibilities include balancing multiple priorities: leading a research program, mentoring students in research activities, and securing research funding. The role serves at minimum 10 undergraduate students per academic year through direct mentorship, and many more through outreach events and guest lectures.

Responsibilities

• Research and Scholarly Activity (60%)
  • Conduct original research in vertebrate biology, applying extensive and diversified knowledge of scientific research and practices.
  • Develop and maintain an externally funded research program, including grant proposal writing, determining research questions and hypotheses, and overseeing data acquisition, analyses, and interpretation.
  • Publish regularly in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and societies.
  • Manage technically complex projects and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams.
• Education and Mentorship (25%)
  • Plan and direct the operation of the Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) program in mammal evolution and diversity.
  • Provide technical leadership for the CURE program; supervise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students in research activities.
• Outreach and Community Engagement (5%)
  • Promote scientific literacy and public understanding of evolutionary biology through outreach activities at the Burke Museum of Natural History.
  • Connect with, leverage, and augment outreach and educational resources at the Burke Museum, providing case study materials for the study of evolution for K-12 students and educators.
• Professional Development and Continuing Education (5%)
  • Network nationally and internationally; lead symposia at national and international conferences.
  • Attend scientific conferences, workshops, and training sessions.
  • Maintain current knowledge of the field through ongoing scholarly engagement.
• Service (5%)
  • Serve as a peer reviewer of technical publications and funding proposals for funding agencies.
  • Assist with departmental operations as needed.

Requirements

• PhD degree in Biology or related fields.
• Six or more years in a related area of research.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of the skeletal anatomy, functional morphology, ecology, and evolutionary history of mammals, particularly carnivorans.
• Extensive experience collecting morphological data using 2D and 3D morphometrics approaches, including light structure 3D scanning, CT scanning, photogrammetry, and caliper measurements.
• Experience conducting phylogenetic comparative analyses, including OU modeling, adaptive landscape analyses, and total-evidence phylogenetic reconstruction.
• Prior publications in carnivoran functional morphology, phylogenetics, and biomechanics.
• Extensive experience developing and running a Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) program to engage undergraduate students in research pertaining to mammalian evolution, functional morphology, and biomechanics.
• Extensive experience working in a natural history museum setting, including working with specimens, curating specimens, and conducting outreach using specimens.

Pay

Annual pay range: $120,948.00

Schedule

• 30 hours per week (75% FTE).
• First shift.

Benefits

For information about benefits for this position, visit UW Staff Benefits.