Position overview
Salary range: A reasonable estimate for this position is $74,100-$94,200.
Application Window
Open date: June 19, 2024
Next review date: Wednesday, Jul 10, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Friday, Jul 12, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
The Project Scientist makes significant and creative contributions to a research or creative project in his/her academic discipline. The appointee possesses the subject matter expertise and the creative energy necessary to function at a high level of competence. The appointee will participate in activities to increase, improve, or upgrade competency. Appointees with Project (e.g., Scientist) titles may engage in University and public service. They do not have teaching responsibilities. Although the Project Scientist is expected to work independently under the general guidance of an academic member with an independent research program (i.e., Professor, Professional Researcher, Specialist in Cooperative Extension, etc.), he/she is not required to develop an independent research program or reputation. He/she will carry out research or creative programs with supervision by an individual in an academic title that carries with it automatic Principal Investigator status. The Project Scientist does not usually serve as a Principal Investigator but may do so by exception.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
I. RESEARCH (80%)
Research Activity (60%)
This candidate is required to contribute to a research program on wildlife spatial ecology and conservation, with an emphasis on species distribution, movement, and habitat use. The candidate may design and execute both field and laboratory data collection to contribute to our understanding how species move in and respond to different habitats in the California Delta, Greater Yellowstone, and African Savanna ecosystems, amongst others. This may include, for example, the impacts of wetland and riparian habitat restoration on species presence and abundance, the mapping of species habitat use and movement in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and predicting wildlife corridors linking protected areas across East and Southern Africa. The candidate will also be expected to apply standard analytical approaches including generalized linear and mixed-effects models, machine learning techniques, etc., using R statistical software.
Other research duties include:
- Manage research projects and budgets according to sound management principles
- Train and supervise employees paid to work on funded projects
- Train, consult with, and advise graduate students and post-doctoral researchers on experimental design and data analysis of studies conducted in spatial ecology
Publication (10%)
The candidate will participate in the publication of research results in peer-reviewed journals either independently or in collaboration with the PI or other members of the research team. Leading journals might include Conservation Biology, Conservation Science & Practice, Ecological Applications, Ecology, Ecosphere, Journal of Field Ornithology, Journal of Wildlife Management, Landscape Ecology, and Ornithological Applications.
Grant Acquisition (10%)
The candidate will assist in acquiring state, federal, and small grant funding to support the research program. They will also participate in the development of grant deliverables, including writing and submitting progress reports and technical reports to support collaborations with non-profit and agency partners (e.g., CDWR, CDFW, TNC, USBLM, and USFS).
II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (10%)
The candidate will participate in professional societies and conferences appropriate to her/his specific field (e.g., Ecological Society of America, Society for Conservation Biology, and the Wildlife Society) and will serve as a reviewer of research proposals and scientific publications as appropriate. The candidate will attend seminars to present research results and give research presentations at national and international scientific meetings.
III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (10%)
The candidate will engage in public outreach activities that include presenting scientific research results to the public and providing relevant advice to public agencies. The candidate will also participate in activities of curation, management, and collection development in the Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology and will provide outreach and education of research activities through the MWFB and project-based media. Furthermore, when opportunities arise, the candidate will engage in University service activities such as guest lecturing. Teaching classroom courses is not an expectation of this position.
Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
A PhD in Ecology or appropriate related field
Preferred qualifications (other preferred, but not required, qualifications for the position)
• Experience in laboratory and field research projects involving terrestrial vertebrate ecology, spatial ecology, natural resource management, and/or related subjects.
• Experience in writing both proposals and research publications (peer-reviewed and broader audience).
• Aptitude in communicating and extending technical information.
• Interpersonal skills to interact with diverse groups of individuals to facilitate collaborative research, provide information, resolve problems, and increase cooperation among individuals.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate via writing and orally.
• Potential to accomplish team-based research and education programs in vertebrate and spatial ecology.
• Experience in effectively and productively interacting with multiple researchers and stakeholders.
• Expertise in statistical and graphing programs such as R, Sigmaplot.
• Evidence of collaborative, interpersonal- and communication- skills.
Application Requirements
Document requirements
- Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
- Cover Letter - One page
- Statement of Research
- Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/faculty-equity-and-inclusion for guidelines about writing a statement and why one is requested.
Reference requirements
- 3 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF06500
Help contact: dacrum@ucdavis.edu