Senior Quantitative Scientist

University of Washington•Seattle, WA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The eDNA Collaborative, housed at the University of Washington’s School of Marine and Environmental Affairs, aims to accelerate the adoption of eDNA techniques globally. The collaborative focuses on expanding eDNA use beyond well-funded settings by building and supporting an international network of practitioners. Its primary programs include an international visiting-scholars program, small grant awards for external research, and in-house research on genetic detection and monitoring for environmental science and conservation. The Senior Quantitative Scientist will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of computational methods and statistical models for eDNA analysis, while also facilitating global coordination of standards and best practices. This role requires both technical expertise in quantitative methods and the ability to build consensus among diverse international stakeholders.

Requirements

Masters Degree in Biology, Molecular Biology, Marine or Aquatic Science, Quantitative Ecology, Fisheries.
4 years of experience to include knowledge of molecular techniques (DNA extraction, qPCR/ddPCR, PCR, sequencing) and bioinformatic processes and statistical analyses.
Familiarization with performance-based standards and standard reference materials for protocols.
Proven track record of setting and meeting milestones and timelines.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Ability to effectively build relationships, promote a collaborative team environment, and influence others.
Demonstrated cultural competence and communication skills for effectively working with diverse stakeholders.
Excellent organizational skills, the ability to work independently, demonstrated foresight and good judgment, the willingness and ability to develop new skills quickly.
Effective written and oral communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Doctorate Degree
5-7 years of experience
Fluency in other language(s)
Knowledge of / interest in processes of prior examples of technological adoption across institutions in other contexts.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and implement statistical models and computational pipelines for analyzing eDNA data in wildlife ecology and fisheries contexts.
Write production-quality code for data processing, analysis, and visualization.
Oversee multiple concurrent quantitative projects, providing technical guidance and quality control.
Develop novel analytical approaches to address emerging questions in eDNA science.
Collaborate with field researchers to translate ecological questions into quantitative frameworks.
Maintain and improve existing analytical tools and workflows.
Identify, engage with, and facilitate discussions among existing national and regional eDNA networks across all inhabited continents.
Work with US federal agencies to support implementation of national eDNA strategies.
Facilitate collaborative problem-solving sessions between researchers, policymakers, and practitioners.
Serve as technical advisor to eDNA Collaborative network-building activities.
Manage communication and coordination across multiple time zones and cultural contexts.
Prepare technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, and presentations for scientific and policy audiences.
Document analytical methods, code, and workflows for reproducibility and knowledge transfer.
Communicate complex quantitative concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
Lead or contribute to grant proposals and strategic planning documents.
Present research findings at national and international conferences.