Research Ecologist

INTRODUCTION
The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is located in the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI), Washington, DC. NZCBI plays a leading role in the Smithsonian's global efforts to save wildlife species from extinction and train future generations of conservationists.

SUMMARY
The Smithsonian Institution is seeking a Research Ecologist for its Virginia Working Landscapes Program, with a focus on agroecology. This new position will help develop an agroecology research portfolio within the program, working collaboratively with existing researchers, local landowners, farmers, and conservation partners. The program conducts basic and applied research and develops and implements science-based solutions for the conservation and restoration of biodiversity on Virginia’s working lands. The Ecologist will expand this work by investigating how agricultural practices can support biodiversity, ecosystem function, and resilient agricultural systems.

The Virginia Working Landscapes Program is based at the Front Royal campus of Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. The position will involve conducting research, building and sustaining collaborative partnerships, and supporting the application of science to conservation and land management.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborates with existing Virginia Working Landscapes and Smithsonian researchers to integrate agroecological research with ongoing biodiversity and conservation research and develop interdisciplinary research initiatives.

• Independently performs all phases of the research process, including problem definition, collaborative planning, experimental design, field implementation, data collection and management, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of findings.

• Builds and maintains collaborative partnerships with farmers, landowners, agricultural producers, conservation practitioners, and researchers to identify research priorities and co-develop applied research questions and projects.

• Plans and conducts field-based research and demonstration projects evaluating agricultural practices and land-management strategies that support biodiversity while maintaining productive, resilient, and sustainable working lands.

• Independently performs all phases of the research process, including problem definition, collaborative planning, experimental design, field implementation, data collection and management, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of findings.

• Secures funding and develops new research opportunities and partnerships to establish and expand the program’s agroecology portfolio, including collaborations with universities, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and agricultural partners.

• Presents and publishes research findings and develops education and capacity-building programs for farmers, landowners, students, conservation practitioners, and other stakeholders through scientific publications, workshops, field demonstrations, training programs, internships, and fellowships.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

A. Degree: 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.

OR

B. 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.

Additional Requirements:

A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree that has equipped applicants with the knowledge, skills, and abilities (described below) necessary to do the work of the position.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE

For this position, SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as working knowledge of the principles of ecology and conservation of wildlife through coursework in ecology, wildlife management, or a related field. At least one year of biology technician experience equivalent to the next lower grade is required. The role requires self-direction and motivation, combined with flexibility and entrepreneurial thinking. The incumbent/position should possess the following knowledge and qualifications including:

• Demonstrated experience conducting ecological or agroecological research in agricultural or other working-land systems, including evaluating relationships among agricultural practices, biodiversity, ecosystem function, and/or environmental outcomes.

• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing ecological field studies and surveys to measure and assess vegetation, insects, soils, wildlife, and/or other indicators of ecosystem condition and function.

• Experience evaluating the ecological effects of agricultural management practices, such as grazing, cropping systems, soil management, habitat management, agroforestry, or other agroecological practices.

• Strong quantitative skills in analyzing ecological, spatial, and environmental datasets, including statistical and/or predictive modeling using R and/or Python.

• Experience with geospatial analysis, ecological modeling, and/or remote sensing, including the use of satellite imagery or other spatial data to investigate ecological patterns and processes.

• Demonstrated ability to conduct collaborative research and work effectively with multidisciplinary teams, agricultural producers, landowners, and/or conservation partners in rural and working-land settings.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate scientific findings effectively through peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, presentations, and communication with scientific and non-scientific audiences.