Senior Quantitative Scientist

University of Washington•Seattle, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The eDNA Collaborative is housed at the University of Washington’s School of Marine and Environmental Affairs with a mission of accelerating the move of eDNA techniques out of the lab and into routine practice around the world. The eDNA Collaborative's overarching emphasis is on broadening eDNA use beyond historically well-funded settings by building and supporting an international network of practitioners. Primary programs include an international visiting-scholars program, small grant awards in support of external research, and original in-house research focusing on genetic detection and monitoring for environmental science and conservation. The Senior Quantitative Scientist will lead the development and implementation of computational methods and statistical models for eDNA analysis while facilitating global coordination of standards and best practices. This role requires both technical expertise in quantitative methods and the ability to build consensus across diverse international stakeholders.

Requirements

Masters Degree in Biology, Molecular Biology, Marine or Aquatic Science, Quantitative Ecology, Fisheries, and 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