Research Associate Lab of Ornithology

Research Associate: Extending inference from quantitative models and eBird data to assist information needs of wildlife agencies

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University's second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world's complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

About us

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is the world's leading resource for conservation, research, education, and citizen science focused on birds. The Lab is a unit within Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), where full-time faculty and other renowned professionals direct twelve world-class, mission-driven programs. The Center for Avian Population Studies (CAPS) is one of the major programmatic units at the Lab, collecting and disseminating biodiversity data to enhance the information and decision-making tools available to conservationists and scientific researchers. We achieve this by producing scientific, computational, and big data resources that transform how we understand and protect the world around us.

The Cornell Lab is home to a vibrant community of several research associates working across all twelve programs. We strive to provide a supportive and collaborative environment for this community that fosters personal growth and career advancement. The Lab is an inclusive community, and we recognize that diverse, inclusive communities create more innovative and impactful work to address global challenges and benefit humanity and nature. The Cornell Lab is committed to fostering and sustaining a healthy workplace that values diverse and inclusive perspectives and backgrounds and supports growth and advancement opportunities. The Lab believes that every team member enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and discover, design, and deliver solutions.

Position Function

The Applied Quantitative Ecologist will play a leading role in the Center for Avian Population Studies in the Conservation Science Program, leading the development and application of novel eBird Status and Trends products. The aim of this work will be to address pressing applied research questions and critical information needs of partners and collaborators, with a specific focus on conservation practitioners and decision-makers. More specifically, this position will lead contributions along two main research themes- one focused on improving our ability to generate inferences from models of species distributions and population trends, and the other more broadly focused on using eBird data and data products with state and federal wildlife agencies (e.g. U.S Forest Service).

Overall, this position will work closely with the S&T Project team to ensure that the application and interpretation of S&T products are appropriate and accurate. As part of the first research theme, the Applied Quantitative Ecologist will specifically develop cutting-edge applied research in avian population ecology and lead collaborative proposals as the PI or Co-PI. They will also lead the development and applications of different statistical methods with other Conservation Science team members.

A key goal of the conservation science program is to use information on where and when bird species occur in the landscape to help inform policy and conservation decision-making. As part of the second research theme, this position will lead the application of S&T data products (e.g., relative abundance, population trends) at high spatial and temporal resolutions to advance goals and achieve project objectives in applied research and conservation science with strategic partners. To this end, this position will support and lead strategic partnerships with government wildlife agencies and NGOs to use S&T products to meet conservation, restoration, and management goals. As part of this work, the Applied Quantitative Ecologist will be in close communication with the S&T Project team to ensure that the application and interpretation of S&T products are appropriate and accurate.

Anticipated Division of Time

Applied Research and Methods Development (40%)

• Develop an applied research program aligned with the vision and strategic goals of the Conservation Science Program and the Center for Avian Population Studies.
• Develop and apply novel statistical methods targeted at citizen-science/observational data needed to make robust inferences using eBird data, S&T data products, or other data sources.
• Individually and in collaboration with faculty and principal investigators, seek and prepare grant proposals for external funding. This may lead to serving as a PI or a co-PI on sponsored research projects.
• Lead novel applications of eBird and eBird Status and Trends data to address relevant questions in applied ecological research and conservation
• Write peer-reviewed publications and disseminate results at conferences.

Conservation Science Partnerships and Collaborations (30%)

• Cultivate and contribute to national and international partnerships and collaborations with practitioners and decision-makers (e.g., state and federal wildlife agencies, private sector partners, NGO's) through meetings, development of proposals and conducting related research
• Communicate and coordinate with the Status and Trends (S&T) team within CAPS to make sure we are using and interpreting eBird data and S&T data products properly
• Develop workflows for scaling our ability to address data analysis information needs for partners and collaborators

Mentoring and capacity building (25%)

• Mentor and supervise postdoctoral fellows in CAPS projects at the Lab of Ornithology.
• Actively participate and contribute to regular team meetings (e.g. lab meetings, science seminars)
• Provide guidance and mentoring to undergraduate and graduate students at Cornell University
• Develop and teach data analysis workshops using eBird and eBird Status and Trends data

Contributing to activities at Cornell and the Lab of Ornithology (5%)

• Engage with projects at other Centers at the Cornell Lab
• Participate in campus activities and seminars
• Contribute to project meetings, campus and Cornell Lab Seminars and talks
• Engage with the Philanthropic Development and Communication programs at the Cornell Lab when needed

Term of position

This is a three-year appointment, renewable conditional on satisfactory performance, available work, and funding.

Requirements

• PhD in quantitative ecology, applied statistics, or a related field with a strong background in statistics and model development.
• At least 2 years of postdoctoral experience.
• A strong record of success conducting applied independent research and related scholarly activities (e.g., presenting and conferences and meetings)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills needed to convey information and ideas to a diversity of people and partner organizations
• Strong record of publishing scientific papers in peer reviewed journals
• Experience with population monitoring data sets and analysis (e.g. count-based data, mark-recapture data).
• Proven ability to apply and develop quantitative methods to answer applied ecological questions, and/or fill information needs for management and conservation decision-making
• Coding knowledge and experience in R or other statistical languages (e.g. Python, Matlab)

Desired qualifications.

• Experience with citizen science data sets.
• Prior experience with identifying and writing funding proposals.
• Prior experience mentoring postdoctoral fellows, as well as graduate and undergraduate students
• Experience in ornithology
• Experience with data integration methods

Supervision Exercised:

Formal supervision of postdoctoral associates within the Cornell Lab. Training of staff, undergraduates, graduate students, postdocs, and visiting scholars.

Salary, rewards, and benefits:

Salary is commensurate with experience and includes benefits. Annual salaries are subject to the Cornell University annual salary improvement program. Relocation funds may be available.

Benefits provided by Cornell include a broad range of comprehensive health care options, generous paid leave provisions: 3 weeks of vacation, 13 holidays (including end of year winter break), paid family leave, and superior retirement contributions. Additionally, Cornell provides access to professional development initiatives, wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands.

To apply:

Please apply via Academic Jobs Online (https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/29623).

Qualified candidates should submit a short cover letter, curriculum vitae, contact information for three references, and a statement supporting diverse communities (this can be a stand-alone document (preferred) or the information can be embedded in other parts of the application materials) outlining how, through research, teaching, service, mentoring, extension, and/or outreach, the candidate has and will contribute to support Cornell's historical mission of "any person ... any study," via the website.

Applications will be reviewed as received, continuing until a suitable applicant is identified. The ideal start date for this position is Spring 2025.

CALS hiring range for this position is $80,000 - $90,000.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

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Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual's genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

Pay Range:

Pay Ranges:

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience.
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.
• Academic Discipline
• Unique applicable skills.

Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email mycareer@cornell.edu.

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell University's Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX at voice (607) 255-2242, or email atequity@cornell.edu.

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing mycareer@cornell.edu.

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EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual's genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.