REC - Associate Scientist (Lead Scientist/Coordinator)

Carbondale • Carbondale, IL

30d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Roadside Ecology Center (REC) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is seeking a Lead Scientist/Coordinator to manage the scientific and compliance operations of its biological and wetland science team. This team conducts field surveys, threatened and endangered species assessments, and wetland evaluations in southern Illinois to support the Illinois Department of Transportation's (IDOT) environmental review obligations and the REC's applied research program. The role involves triaging IDOT taskings, assigning projects, ensuring deliverable quality, and managing the team's progression from data collection to publication.

Requirements

• PhD in ecology, wildlife biology, conservation biology, environmental science, or a closely related field.
• 4+ years of post-degree professional experience in applied ecological field work, environmental consulting, or natural resource management.
• Demonstrated responsibility for leading scientific teams or managing multi-species compliance project portfolios.
• 2+ years of direct supervisory experience managing field-based biological or environmental staff.
• Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publication in applied ecology or conservation biology, commensurate with the university-level Associate Scientist classification.
• Broad field competency to evaluate work quality and provide guidance to specialists on both biological and wetland teams.
• Working knowledge of Illinois and federal regulatory frameworks for environmental review, including Sections 7 and 10 of the Endangered Species Act, Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, and Illinois state incidental take provisions.
• Strong technical writing skills, with experience authoring or reviewing compliance reports and scientific manuscripts.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel regularly within southern Illinois and beyond.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in transportation ecology, road ecology, or environmental compliance review for linear infrastructure.
• Direct experience working with state or federal transportation or natural resource agencies, including IDOT, IDNR, USACE, or USFWS.
• Background in wildlife sampling protocols, with a particular interest in threatened and endangered species.
• Background in wetland delineation and functional assessment methods or stream ecology.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring scientists or graduate students toward peer-reviewed publication.
• Familiarity with Illinois flora, fauna, and natural communities, particularly in the southern Illinois region.

Responsibilities

• Triage incoming IDOT regulatory taskings, evaluating scope, urgency, and taxonomic requirements.
• Assign projects to appropriate scientists and maintain an active project tracker.
• Ensure all compliance deliverables are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Provide direct scientific oversight of eight scientists (four Interdisciplinary Biologists and four Wetland Scientists) and review deliverables before IDOT submission.
• Manage the team’s applied research pipeline in coordination with the Director.
• Facilitate the transition of compliance data into peer-reviewed publications by participating in manuscript preparation, providing scientific review, and co-authoring papers.
• Establish and maintain field data collection standards that support regulatory compliance and research utility.
• Participate in field surveys as needed to support team capacity during peak workload periods.
• Maintain multi-taxa proficiency across biological and wetland disciplines.
• Fill coverage gaps as needed across the southern Illinois service area.
• Monitor team capacity and geographic coverage needs, communicating constraints to the Director.
• Represent the scientific team at state endangered species meetings, interagency forums, and conferences.
• Communicate field findings to IDOT and agency partners as directed by the Director.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience, considering internal equity.
• Employee benefits (details available at https://jobs.siu.edu/)
• Employee tuition waivers

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree