Research Ecologist, IS-0408-12

Smithsonian Institution•Bozeman, MT

36d•Onsite

About The Position

The Smithsonian Institution is seeking a Research Ecologist for its Great Plains Science Program in Montana. The 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 is focused on cutting-edge science and technology to conserve and restore imperiled species and advance our understanding and management of grassland ecosystems, identifying how and why grasslands respond to global change and land management. It also focuses on impactful education and capacity building to train and foster the next generation of conservation leaders and practitioners in local communities through workshops, training courses, intern and fellowships, and effective partnerships that connect land managers and communities with scientists to ensure effective long-term land management that supports both people and nature. The Great Plains Science Program is part of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, and the Montana grasslands represent a core site for NZCBI’s growing global grassland conservation network which spans across other critical grassland and savanna ecosystems in Mongolia, Kenya, Peru, and Brazil.

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. These hours must have included at least 9 semester hours in biology or ecology, and 12 semester hours in physical and mathematical sciences.
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.
Demonstrated expertise in botany, restoration ecology and/or rangeland ecology with experience working with graminoids, plant-herbivore interactions, plant community dynamics and/ 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.
Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated as low risk.
Complete a Probationary Period
Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.

Nice To Haves

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 course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Responsibilities

Develops, plans, and executes a comprehensive research program with multiple scientific research projects focusing on landscape-level conservation, ecology, and restoration of grassland plant communities, spanning 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.
Advances prairie conservation and restoration science by linking plant ecology and vegetation dynamics to ecosystem function, resilience, and biodiversity outcomes, and habitat quality for prairie wildlife.
Utilizes new technology and analytical approaches advancing conservation and restoration of grassland plant communities.
Develops, plans, and conducts extensive field work to collect critical data for addressing theoretical and applied research questions.
Independently performs all phases of the complete research process, including problem definition, planning, execution, data analysis, and interpretation of findings.
Ensures that all field-based research follows international and institutional standards for animal care and use.
Secures funds to support research program and field missions from both internal and external sources.
Prepares scholarly publications of basic and applied research, which address important and novel questions in the scientific field, account for previously unexplained phenomena, or represent an important validation or modification of scientific theory in the topic area.
Collaborates with scientific researchers from within the SI community and from around the world, to encourage and promote conservation of grassland ecosystems at the landscape scale, as well as research and studies to advance the SI Mission for understanding and sustaining of a biodiversity planet.
Participates in scientific meetings and symposia, develops scientific papers for presentation and corresponds with scholars and other members of the scientific community involved in the same or similar research.
Develops a significant academic training program by supporting research of graduate students and post-doctoral students, as well as other professionals carrying out related work.
Disseminates research and conservation results to a wide variety of audiences ranging from professional organizations, peer-reviewed scientific journals, funding agencies, students, and the general public.
Directs more than one kind of work, each kind representing a requirement for a distinctly different additional body of knowledge, and for which this position provides both technical and administrative supervision.
Works in an operation in which work processes and procedures vary constantly because of the impact of changing technology, creating a requirement for extensive training and guidance of the subordinate staff.
Directs team members in the development and assessment of scientific, educational and training materials.
Performs other duties as assigned.