Overview The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON, Inc.) is a nonprofit science corporation dedicated to understanding how changes in climate, land use and invasive species impact ecology. Currently under design is the NEON project - an observatory comprising more than 60 environmental and biological monitoring locations distributed throughout twenty domains across the United States, Hawaii, Alaska & Puerto Rico. The observatory network will be the first of its kind designed to detect and enable forecasting of ecological change at continental scales over multiple decades.
The Fundamental Sentinel Unit of the Observatory (FSU) is responsible for measurement and sampling in organismal biology. Position Term/Location This position is a term position for 12-18 months. The position is located in Boulder, CO at NEON headquarters reporting to the FSU Manager. Position Summary NEON invites applications from established senior ecologists who are passionate about understanding how changes in climate, land use and invasive species impact ecology on a continental scale to help develop scientific protocols and assist in acquiring resources for bio archives, chemical, genetic, isotopic and disease analyses. This is an active “hands-on” position and is an excellent opportunity for those who want to focus their efforts to work on big science in a project environment and assist with providing strategic advice, and collaborate with other scientists in academe, industry and the government. As the Sr. Visitor you will initiate and help design the scientific protocols development direction for a national observatory and facilitate external reviews of critical FSU protocols. You will play a key part in managing the process for external review of FSU protocols. You will also manage the design and implementation of external facility contracts (including Bioarchive, Chemical, Genetic, Isotopic, and Disease). Additionally, as a member of the FSU facility you will use your experience and expertise to provide advice to solve scientific principles and contribute to the design of field crew staffing, training and operations plans and be a key interface with the Field Operations group. Required Experience • MS (PhD preferred) in ecology or related field • At least 15 years experience in ecological research or natural resources management, or equivalent experience Preferred Experience: • Experience working with government agencies in the context of ecological research • Experience working with field crews and field stations • History of good communication experience among multiple partners (e.g., academic, government, private) • Experience with contract management Skills and Abilities: • Solid analytical skills and creative problem solver who can successfully apply experience and judgment to both short- and long-term challenges • Self-starter who can develop novel methods, analyses and approaches to enable continental-scale research • Demonstrated expert level communication skills to effectively explain requirements, present solutions, and influence management or external sponsors in area of expertise; and coach, mentor and counsel employees with a wide range of experience, skills and interests • Demonstrated interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with a broad wide range of scientific, technical, and management staff, stakeholders, and vendors • Experience working collaboratively and ability to develop appropriate responses to changing priorities and ability to meet deadlines • Occasional travel for meetings and conferences • Highly organized • Knowledge of field biology protocols and practices • Scientific writing and review • Open to undertaking responsibilities beyond those associated with individual research projects • Ability to work independently and as part of an active science team • Problem solver who can successfully apply experience, judgment, and creativity to both short- and long-term challenges Apply to: www.neoninc.org NEON Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, Veterans and Disabled Persons are encouraged to apply.
