Supervisory Research Ecologist, IS-0408-14

Application deadline: 17 August 2026. Open to all qualified applicants eligible to work in the United States.

About the role

The Smithsonian Institution is seeking a Director for its Working Land & Seascapes Program headquartered in Front Royal, VA. This program conducts basic and applied research and innovates, develops, and implements science-based solutions for the conservation, restoration, and management of healthy grasslands and their biodiversity. The program focuses on:

• Cutting-edge science and technology to conserve and restore imperiled species and advance understanding and management of grassland ecosystems.
• Identifying how and why grasslands respond to global change and land management.
• Impactful education and outreach to foster the next generation of conservation leaders and practitioners in local communities through workshops, training courses, internships, and fellowships.
• Effective partnerships that connect land managers and communities with scientists to ensure long-term land management supporting both people and nature.

The Working Land & Seascapes Program is part of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI). The Virginia grasslands represent a core site for NZCBI’s growing global grassland conservation network, which spans critical grassland and savanna ecosystems in Mongolia, Kenya, Peru, and Brazil.

Location

Front Royal, VA – Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

Responsibilities

Supervision

• Supervises, directs, coordinates, and oversees programs, functions, and initiatives performed by a team of subordinate supervisors, team leaders, and professional and technical support staff.
• Plans work, sets priorities, and prepares timelines and milestones for completion.
• Exercises significant responsibilities in advising senior management and interacting with officials of other agencies and organizations.
• Assigns work based on priorities and evaluates performance of staff and subordinate supervisors.
• Interviews candidates and approves or recommends appointments, promotions, and reassignments.
• Resolves grievances, complaints, and disciplinary measures such as reprimands, suspensions, and demotions.
• Identifies training needs and arranges development opportunities for staff.
• Approves expenses, overtime, and travel.

Research Development and Management

• Serves as principal investigator to establish, validate, and standardize novel research projects on wildlife ecology and conservation.
• Develops multi-phased research plans and protocols, including standard operating procedures for research execution.
• Identifies research gaps and applies scientific methods to analyze data, interpret results, and document findings.
• Conducts research requiring elevated levels of judgment in setting priorities and strategies, adhering to Smithsonian and NZCBI administrative requirements.
• Ensures research quality through proper management of supplies, equipment, and personnel resources.
• Integrates ecological processes and natural resource management using data from field studies, experiments, and monitoring.
• Develops and utilizes model landscapes at NZCBI facilities or global field sites.
• Follows Smithsonian and sponsor guidelines, including the SI Code of Conduct, to maintain ethical standards.

Communication and Publication

• Publishes and disseminates research findings in peer-reviewed journals, books, and presentations at regional, national, and international conferences.
• Produces synthetic summary reports and digital media to communicate methods, results, and program impact.
• Publishes data-rich papers with regional and national significance.

Research Grant and Contract Proposals

• Conceives and creates competitive research proposals to secure funding from extramural sponsors (federal/state agencies, foundations, private philanthropy) and internal Smithsonian programs.
• Sustains a series of funded proposals to support research efforts, including budgets for supplies, travel, equipment, services, and personnel.

Professional Advisory Services and Capacity Building

• Serves as an expert advisor/consultant to the scientific community, federal agencies, universities, zoological parks, and research facilities.
• Participates in and leads fact-finding committees, advisory panels, and scientific review panels.
• Serves as a subject matter expert for NZCBI in developing tests and research.
• Reviews scientific manuscripts and research proposals.

Requirements

• Pass a pre-employment background check and subsequent background investigation for a position designated as low risk.
• Complete a probationary period.
• Maintain a bank account for direct deposit/electronic transfer.
• Meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date.

Pay

$143,913 - $187,093 per year.

Schedule

Full-time, temporary not to exceed one (1) year (may be extended based on availability of funds).

Benefits

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Transit/Commuter Benefits
• 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)