Scientist IV

Cherokee Federal•Columbia, MO

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Scientist IV will support research related to aquatic and terrestrial species, invasive carp and crayfish control, environmental stressors, and waterfowl migration, energetics, and reproduction. The successful candidate will bring strong quantitative ecology, statistical modeling, programming, scientific writing, and collaborative research skills.

Requirements

Master’s degree in quantitative ecology, ecology, biology, environmental science, statistics, natural resources, wildlife science, fisheries science, or a closely related field required.
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 required.
Demonstrated subject matter expertise designing and completing laboratory and field biological studies.
Advanced knowledge of general and specialized statistical modeling techniques.
Demonstrated 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 data sets, preparing metadata, and maintaining well-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 on assigned responsibilities while collaborating effectively with Government staff, scientists, project teams, and external partners.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet project deadlines, communicate progress clearly, and adapt to changing research needs.
Strong commitment to scientific integrity, detailed documentation, high-quality data, safe work practices, and continuous improvement.
Ability to meet the 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 projects involving aquatic and terrestrial species.
Identify, evaluate, and apply appropriate statistical methods to complex field and laboratory data sets.
Conduct advanced statistical analyses using programming languages and software packages such as R, Python, and other approved analytical tools.
Develop, refine, test, and apply terrestrial and aquatic forecasting models for use by natural resource managers and other project stakeholders.
Support development of models addressing population, community, physiological, behavioral, migration, energetics, reproduction, and environmental-response questions.
Collect, compile, evaluate, and synthesize information from scientific literature, existing data sets, laboratory studies, and field studies for use in new experimental designs, analyses, and scientific products.
Participate in laboratory and field data-collection activities as needed, including work supporting invasive carp, invasive crayfish, and other environmental research projects.
Ensure laboratory and field data-collection methods follow established 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 records, including 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 policies, animal-use policies, safety requirements, and applicable Federal guidance.
Conduct data quality assurance and quality control activities, including review of control parameters, documentation of data quality, identification of anomalies, and implementation of 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 complex scientific findings clearly to technical and nontechnical audiences.
Assist with preparation of scientific manuscripts, technical reports, project reports, data releases, presentations, and other research communications.
Participate actively 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 complex scientific findings into clear, practical materials for briefings, stakeholder meetings, practitioner applications, scientific 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 to support continuity of laboratory processing, field data collection, and project activities.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.