Researcher/Scientist III

The Researcher/Scientist III position advances the mission of the Biosphere 2 Landscape Evolution Observatory (LEO) research system to improve scientific understanding of landscape evolution as an ecosystem process. The duty post for this position is Biosphere 2, Oracle, Arizona. To that end, the LEO Research Scientist III both engages directly in research (focusing on remote sensing and/or flux dynamics in the LEO system) and provides leadership to coordinate the overall interdisciplinary science effort. In particular, this position will help lead the LEO scientific program to the next stage, to put "Life on LEO" by developing protocols and implementing approaches to study vegetation communities to the LEO hillslopes, in accord with an experiment and strategic plan developed by the community, and which will continue to be advanced by this position.

This position requires expertise in the field of ecology, remote sensing of vegetated landscapes, appreciation of and engagement with the related scientific disciplines needed to understand landscape evolution, and demonstrated leadership to drive the field forward.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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• Coordinates initiatives to cultivate and advance engagement around LEO science by serving as a liaison and coordinating collaboration among researchers across biological sciences and related disciplines, including hydrology, geomorphology, geochemistry, remote sensing, and data integration.
• Lead, liaise, and coordinate, as appropriate, proposal-writing efforts to advance LEO-related science and sustain a long-term research plan for LEO with various researchers involved with LEO. These efforts will be critical for developing the next "Life on LEO" science phase to investigate the role of plant and microbial processes in landscape evolution, and promoting convergence science to answer novel scientific questions in the field of ecology in relation to landscape evolution.
• Liaise and coordinate scientific planning, implementation of scientific research on the LEO hillslopes in close collaboration with the LEO Director of Science, scientific collaborators, and Biosphere 2 research staff, postdocs, and students.
• Identifies, prioritizes and engages in research and data product development, and delivery to the scientific community, with a focus on remote sensing and related methods to scale exchange of CO2 and water from individual plants to the LEO landscape.
• Conducts research and implements the research experimental plan of grant-funded projects for LEO. Assist the LEO director of science with the writing of strategic planning documents and reports. Authors several peer-reviewed scientific articles, posters and professional presentations per year.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work a flexible weekly schedule including working a combination of day, evening and overnight shifts on a regular basis as required. May require work on holiday and weekends as needed by the facility.
• Ability to communicate effectively with different groups/individuals.
• Strong Project Management and Organizational skills.
• Proven grant writing skills.
• Skilled in public speaking and presenting information to large groups.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.