Research Ecologist, IS-0408-12

Summary

The Smithsonian Institution is seeking a Research Ecologist for its Great Plains Science Program in Bozeman, MT. The program conducts basic and applied research and develops science-based solutions for the conservation, restoration, and management of healthy grasslands and their biodiversity.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, plan, and execute a competitive research program focused on theoretical and applied science of restoration and conservation ecology of grassland and rangeland habitat, primarily in North America's Great Plains.
• Lead and integrate diverse program components including plant identification and inventory, vegetation and habitat monitoring, and landscape-scale experimental design.
• Design, develop, and execute a comprehensive research program with multiple projects focusing on landscape-level conservation, ecology, and restoration of grassland plant communities across thematic areas including floristic diversity and functional traits, phenology, plant-soil and plant-animal interactions, and plant community response to disturbance regimes including grazing dynamics.
• Advance prairie conservation and restoration science by linking plant ecology and vegetation dynamics to ecosystem function, resilience, biodiversity outcomes, and habitat quality for prairie wildlife.
• Utilize new technology and analytical approaches advancing conservation and restoration of grassland plant communities.
• Develop, plan, and conduct extensive field work to collect critical data for addressing theoretical and applied research questions.
• Independently perform all phases of the complete research process, including problem definition, planning, execution, data analysis, and interpretation of findings.
• Ensure all field-based research follows international and institutional standards for animal care and use.
• Secure funds to support research program and field missions from both internal and external sources.
• Prepare scholarly publications of basic and applied research addressing important and novel questions in the scientific field.
• Collaborate with scientific researchers from within the SI community and around the world to encourage and promote conservation of grassland ecosystems.
• Participate in scientific meetings and symposia, develop scientific papers for presentation, and correspond with scholars and other members of the scientific community.
• Develop a significant academic training program by supporting research of graduate students, post-doctoral students, and other professionals.
• Disseminate research and conservation results to a wide variety of audiences ranging from professional organizations, peer-reviewed journals, funding agencies, students, and the general public.
• Direct more than one kind of work, providing both technical and administrative supervision to subordinate staff in an operation where work processes vary constantly due to changing technology.
• Direct team members in the development and assessment of scientific, educational and training materials.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in biology or a related field of science underlying ecological research that involved at least 30 semester hours of coursework in basic and applied biological sciences, including at least 9 semester hours in biology or ecology, and 12 semester hours in physical and mathematical sciences.
• OR combination of education and experience -- at least 30 semester hours of courses equivalent to a major in any combination of biological sciences, statistics, or mathematics with required coursework as above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
• A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree that has equipped applicants with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in botany, restoration ecology and/or rangeland ecology with experience working with graminoids, plant-herbivore interactions, plant community dynamics and/or plant ecosystem ecology.
• Demonstrated experience with plant identification.
• Significant data analysis skills using R software and experience working with large datasets.
• Experience designing, organizing, and managing field work.
• Enthusiasm for collaborating with other PIs in SI and across institutions to jointly pursue research topics relevant to both academic and applied audiences.
• Experience with public outreach and working in applied, field-based contexts.

Benefits

• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Transit/Commuter Benefits
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Annual and Sick Leave
• Family Friendly Leave
• 403b Retirement Plan
• Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants
• Credit Union
• Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care)
• Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care)

Pay and Schedule

Salary: $89,508/year. Full Time. This is a Trust Fund position, Temporary Not to Exceed Two (2) years, which may be extended based on funds availability. Duty Location: Bozeman, MT.