Scientist IV

Cherokee Federal•Saint Petersburg, FL

About The Position

The Scientist IV supports research involving aquatic and terrestrial species, invasive carp and crayfish control, environmental stressors, and waterfowl migration, energetics, and reproduction. The role applies quantitative ecology, statistical modeling, programming, and collaborative research skills to laboratory, field, and modeling projects. It includes developing study designs, analyzing complex data, building and applying forecasting models, managing and documenting research data, and communicating scientific findings to technical and nontechnical audiences. The position works with technical staff, ecologists, toxicologists, chemists, natural resource managers, and other collaborators. It contributes to scientific manuscripts, technical reports, data releases, presentations, and other research communications, and may include laboratory and field data collection, training or assisting other scientists, conference presentations, occasional travel, and required training. The role must follow applicable scientific, quality-management, biosecurity, animal-use, and safety requirements.

Requirements

Master’s degree in quantitative ecology, ecology, biology, environmental science, statistics, natural resources, wildlife science, fisheries science, or a closely related field.
At least seven years of relevant experience in environmental research, quantitative ecology, biological science, statistical analysis, forecasting-model development, laboratory research, field research, or a related discipline.
Demonstrated subject matter expertise designing and completing laboratory and field biological studies.
Advanced knowledge of general and specialized statistical modeling techniques.
Ability to develop, execute, validate, and interpret statistical models using R, Python, or comparable programming languages and analytical software.
Experience designing laboratory experiments, field experiments, monitoring studies, and other research approaches that produce defensible scientific data.
Experience developing, applying, or supporting ecological, population, behavioral, physiological, environmental, or forecasting models.
Knowledge of terrestrial and aquatic ecology, biological research methods, and environmental stressors affecting native and non-native species.
Ability to collect, integrate, and synthesize data from scientific literature, experimental results, field observations, and existing databases.
Experience managing complex scientific datasets, preparing metadata, and maintaining organized electronic records.
Knowledge of quality assurance, quality control, scientific integrity, reproducible research practices, and data-release requirements.
Ability to create clear and accurate scientific tables, graphs, figures, visualizations, and written summaries.
Experience writing or contributing to scientific manuscripts, technical reports, data reports, research summaries, and other formal scientific products.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Microsoft 365 applications.
Strong analytical, organizational, written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with Government staff, scientists, project teams, and external partners.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, communicate progress clearly, and adapt to changing research needs.
Commitment to scientific integrity, detailed documentation, high-quality data, safe work practices, and continuous improvement.
Ability to meet physical and safety requirements of office, laboratory, and field work, including occasional travel to field sites and meeting locations.
Must pass pre-employment qualifications of Cherokee Federal.

Responsibilities

Develop and apply effective study designs for laboratory, field, and modeling research involving aquatic and terrestrial species.
Identify, evaluate, and apply appropriate statistical methods to complex field and laboratory data.
Conduct advanced statistical analyses using R, Python, and other approved analytical tools.
Develop, refine, test, and apply terrestrial and aquatic forecasting models for natural resource managers and other stakeholders.
Support models addressing population, community, physiological, behavioral, migration, energetics, reproduction, and environmental-response questions.
Collect, compile, evaluate, and synthesize scientific literature, existing datasets, and laboratory and field study information for research designs, analyses, and scientific products.
Participate in laboratory and field data-collection activities as needed, including projects involving invasive carp, invasive crayfish, and other environmental research.
Ensure laboratory and field data-collection methods follow best practices, project protocols, standard operating procedures, and applicable quality-management requirements.
Organize, manage, document, back up, and prepare project data for analysis, reporting, release, and long-term retrieval.
Maintain complete and accurate data files, metadata, analytical documentation, model inputs and outputs, quality-control records, and supporting project materials.
Follow Fundamental Science Practices, standard operating procedures, quality management system requirements, biosecurity and animal-use policies, safety requirements, and applicable Federal guidance.
Conduct quality assurance and quality control activities, including reviewing control parameters, documenting data quality, identifying anomalies, and implementing corrective actions as appropriate.
Support preparation and publication of data releases in accordance with policy, Fundamental Science Practices, and metadata standards.
Create tables, graphs, figures, visualizations, model outputs, and narrative summaries that communicate scientific findings clearly.
Assist with scientific manuscripts, technical and project reports, data releases, presentations, and other research communications.
Participate in weekly technical meetings, project meetings, branch meetings, and research discussions.
Provide data-driven recommendations, insights, and scientific interpretation to support project planning, implementation, and timely completion of deliverables.
Coordinate with technical staff, ecologists, toxicologists, chemists, natural resource managers, and other collaborators to align research objectives, methods, schedules, and outputs.
Translate scientific findings into practical materials for briefings, stakeholder meetings, practitioner applications, outreach, and conferences.
Deliver oral and poster presentations at national and international conferences, working-group meetings, and stakeholder engagements.
Train or assist other scientists with analytical workflows, data-management procedures, modeling methods, and related project activities as needed.
Complete required training and submit timely travel documentation.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.