Overview The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON, Inc.) is a nonprofit science corporation dedicated to understanding how changes in climate, land use, invasive species, and unsustainable water use 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.
Summary: The Aquatic Ecologist will be part of an Aquatic Team this is responsible for developing a national program to assess physical, chemical, and biological changes in streams and small lakes over 30 years. The Team will define measurements, train personnel, and perform QA/QC in order to produce high quality data products for the research, education, and decision making community. Specifically the Aquatic Ecologist is responsible for developing and implementing detailed sampling designs and analytical protocols for freshwater algae, macroalgae; bryophytes, lichen, and macrophytes; and related morphology/bathymetry of North American streams and small lakes. This position will co-develop sampling designs for aquatic microbes. The Aquatic Ecologist will work with an interdisciplinary team of ecologists, engineers, and other scientists to design, develop, test, and implement statistically valid protocols to produce data products that will enable researchers to investigate the impact of climate change, land-use change, invasive species, and unsustainable water use on freshwater ecosystems of North America. The Aquatic Ecologist is expected to produce reports and publications of NEON procedures and protocols and is encouraged to collaborate with the research community to investigate continental scale ecology. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: • Develop and oversee data collection program to track diversity and functional changes in algae, and aquatic plants in streams and small lakes of North America. • Development and implementation of data QA/QC plan. • Training of field crews. • Document the scientific rationale for biological measurements and methods. • Co-develop detailed sampling designs for microbial communities. • Co-develop detailed sampling designs to assess changes in stream morphology and lake bathymetry that drive algal and aquatic plant community dynamics. • Collaborate with NEON engineers and scientists to define audit sampling procedures. • Participate in the larger NEON science community, including participating in independent research and collaborations and attending meetings/conferences. Education: • PhD in aquatic ecology or related field. Specialization in algal or related ecology with emphasis on biological-chemical-physical linkages of freshwater ecosystems. • Currently enrolled in or completed a Post Doctoral position related to the role of algae, aquatic plants, or microbes in freshwater ecosystems. Required Experience: • 5+ years research experience in freshwater aquatic ecology, with emphasis in the role of primary producers (e.g. algae, aquatic plants) on freshwater ecosystem structure and function. • Significant field experience working in streams, rivers, and lakes of North America. • Demonstrated experience working in a collaborative scientific and engineering enterprise. • Demonstrated ability to write technical and scientific documents. Preferred Experience: • Working knowledge of stream and lake morphological dynamics preferred. • Knowledge of the role of microbial communities in freshwater ecosystem structure and function preferred, but not required • Experience working with federal and state agencies and NGO’s. Skills and Abilities: • Scientific writing and review • Proficiency in analyses that correlate biological data with abiotic variables and ability to perform such analyses within a geospatial framework • Ability to work independently, but as part of an active science team • Strong communication and interpersonal skills • Undertake responsibilities beyond those associated with individual research projects • Travel to domains at least 2x/year Physical Abilities: • The candidate may be exposed to conditions in the field, and therefore must be able to traverse uneven ground such as dirt banks, stream beds, and shallow ponds carrying equipment and materials up to 40 lbs. Apply at: www.neoninc.org Review of applications will begin 1 May 2010. NEON Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, Veterans and Disabled Persons are encouraged to apply.
