Quantitative Ecology Research Associate

Summary: Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI) seeks a conscientious and detail-oriented scientist to conduct marine ecology research and risk assessment focusing on offshore wind and wildlife for our non-profit organization in Portland, ME. Dedicated to assessing emerging threats to wildlife and ecosystems through collaborative research, BRI uses scientific findings to advance environmental awareness and inform decision-makers. This position will be a research associate appointment to the Quantitative Wildlife Ecology Research Lab (QWERL) in support of a project assessing benthic change in marine ecosystems. Offshore wind affects benthic communities in ways that influence the connected marine food webs, and in this project, we will translate knowledge from prior studies to project impacts in the Northwest Atlantic. Specifically, this position will work to establish benthic food web models, synthesize information about offshore wind-mediated benthic changes, develop risk assessment models, and create a research and monitoring plan for this field. This position is an appointment of up to three years and will work with a multinational, collaborative team, including Duke University, Rutgers University, the University of St. Andrews, and the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. This position will also work on related QWERL projects.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Duties are expected to consist of:

• Conducting research on marine ecosystems, with the goals of advancing knowledge of the system and informing conservation decisions in the region;
• Coordinating multiple working groups within the project, for example, the benthic food webs group that will develop marine trophic and energy flow models for the Northwest Atlantic;
• The primary research focus is on developing population consequence models to assess the potential impacts of benthic change scenarios on benthic systems and their higher trophic predators;
• To support the consequence modeling effort, this position will be synthesizing information on the effects of offshore wind development on benthic and marine communities and their trophic interactions in the Northwest Atlantic;
• Design a research plan designed to prioritize key questions, develop new methods for data collection and analysis, and maximize the probability of assessing key changes to marine ecosystems;
• Contributing to other related projects like Project WOW or other efforts to understand the effects of offshore wind on wildlife;
• Writing and publishing papers in scientific journals;
• Traveling to meetings to communicate project results;
• Working with a collaborative team of colleagues to achieve project objectives, where this position will often play the role of analysis lead or support;
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional weekend work or overnight travel; and
• All other duties as directed or assigned.

Qualifications: The successful candidate will be an independently motivated, highly organized scientific communicator and creative analytical thinker. Other essential qualifications include:

• An M.Sc. or Ph.D. in wildlife ecology or a related field;
• Experience and ability to analyze ecological data, ideally focusing on marine species, using R or another statistic modeling environment. In particular, we seek experience with spatial analysis, information synthesis, conceptual modeling, and pathway analysis. Past work with Bayesian modeling tools is preferred;
• Experience with data synthesis, study design, and experimental design;
• A background in population modeling with matrix or individual modeling methods; experience with population consequence models (e.g., Population Consequences of Disturbance) is preferred;
• Data visualization and mapping skills for scientific reports and publications and/or online resources using ArcGIS or other similar spatial mapping and analysis platforms;
• Excellent scientific and technical communication skills, including published work in scientific journals;
• Strong work ethic and ability to effectively prioritize and address needs as they arise;
• Capacity to work independently as well with a collaborative project team;
• Intellectual curiosity paired with the ability to integrate new information into logical or statistical frameworks; and
• Leading or contributing to working groups, stakeholder engagement activities, decision science efforts, and other collaborative efforts focused on coordinating individuals to achieve specific goals; and
• A valid US driver’s license.

Work schedule and location: This is a full-time (40 hours/week), salaried position based at BRI offices in Portland, Maine. Flexibility for remote work is possible depending on job duties and experience. Travel for work is expected. 

Compensation: Salary dependent on education and experience. BRI offers a fully paid employee health insurance premium, plus optional dependent coverage, dental, long-term disability, and life insurance, 401k with match, and generous paid PTO and holidays. Costs associated with work travel are reimbursed.