Quantitative Ecologist - Biostatistician
Overview
The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) is a $430 million
dollar observatory project dedicated to understanding how changes in
climate, land use and invasive species impact ecology. For the next
three decades NEON will collect a comprehensive range of ecological
data on a continental scale across 20 eco-climatic domains
representing US ecosystems. NEON will use cutting edge technology
including an airborne observation platform that will capture images
of regional landscapes and vegetation; mobile, re-locatable, and
fixed data collection sites with automated ground sensors to monitor
soil and atmosphere; and trained field crews who will observe and
sample populations of diverse organisms and collect soil and water
data. A leading edge cyber-infrastructure will calibrate, store and
publish this information. The Observatory will grow to 300+ personnel
and will be the first of its kind designed to detect and enable
forecasting of ecological change at continental scales.
Summary:
Working closely with NEON's TOS scientists, the quantitative
ecologist/biostatistician will provide guidance and statistical
support in developing approaches to optimize ecological sampling
designs and data analyses. Particular emphasis will be on assisting
with evaluation of spatial sampling designs and temporal sampling
strategies for a wide range of ecological taxa and environmental
processes. These evaluations will include identifying metrics to
assess confidence in density estimates and optimizing the
spatiotemporal sampling approach using initial and prototype datasets
from Observatory sites. The ideal candidate will also have the
capability to develop approaches for quantifying and tracking
uncertainty, calculating error budgets, and developing models for
trend detection. This position reports to the Assistant Director of
the Fundamental Sentinel Unit.
Must have permanent authorization for US employment.
Term:
This position will be a two year term assignment.
Location:
This position will be located at NEON Headquarters in Boulder, CO.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
. Develop, test and assist in the implementation of statistical and
modeling applications used by TOS staff.
. Play a key leadership role in utilizing statistical and modeling
strategies to optimize TOS sampling designs and in developing
integrated statistical analyses.
. Provide critical input to field protocol development and QA/QC plans.
. Conduct statistical analyses and modeling in collaboration with
science staff and external experts.
. Participate in the development and approval of standardized
documentation for these processes, following documentation standards.
. Collaborate with NEON Cyber-Infrastructure, Data Products and
Science teams as well as external users.
. Provide training to users on specialized applications as needed.
. Communicate efforts to the ecological community (e.g.
presentations, reports, publications).
Required Education:
PhD in biology, ecology, statistics, applied mathematics, or related
field or MS plus 2 or more years' experience as a quantitative
ecologist supporting biostatistical and ecological modeling tools and
applications.
Required Experience, Knowledge, Skills:
. Strong record of achievement in the areas of quantitative ecology,
ecological modeling and analysis, and/or statistical applications in
ecological investigations.
. Strong analytical and creative problem skills - demonstrated
ability to successfully apply experience and judgment to both short-
and long-term challenges.
. Ability to effectively explain complex statistical approaches to
individuals from different disciplinary backgrounds.
. Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with a wide range of
scientific, technical, and management staff, stakeholders, and vendors.
. Demonstrated ability to collaborate with employees from a variety
of scientific backgrounds and degrees of interest/skill in ecological
modeling and statistical approaches.
. Ability to work independently and as part of an active science team.
. Experience using hierarchical Bayesian methods.
. Expertise with common statistical software packages (e.g., R, Matlab).
. Scientific writing and review.
. Open to undertaking responsibilities beyond those associated with
individually assigned projects.
APPLY AT: www.neoninc.org
Bridget A. Sorget
Sr. Recruiter
Neon, Inc.
(National Ecological Observatory Network)
1685 38th Street, Suite 100
Boulder CO 80302
www.neoninc.org
Phone: 720.330.1570
Cell: 720.839.5016
