REC - Assistant Scientists; Interdisciplinary Scientists) Pool Search

The Roadside Ecology Center (REC) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIU) invites applications for eight (8) full-time Interdisciplinary Scientists. These positions conduct field-basedecological research and environmental compliance work in support ofthe Center’s mission to assess and mitigate the impacts of transportation infrastructure on wildlife and ecosystems. The RECoperates through a long-term partnership between SIU and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), serving the environmental compliance needs of the southern third of Illinoiswhile advancing applied research in road ecology.

Positions are assigned to either the Biological Team—focused onwildlife, threatened and endangered species, and multi-taxasurveys—or the Wetland Team, focused on wetland delineation,functional assessment, and aquatic resources. All positions requiremulti-taxa competency, strong field skills, GIS proficiency, and collaborative work across disciplines.

IDOT and the REC seek scientists who are research-minded,multi-taxa generalists. The research emphasis is on identifyingresource concerns, determining appropriate mitigation and offsetstrategies, evaluating current best management practices, and conducting defensible research on avoidance and minimization in thebuilt environment.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.

• Conduct field surveys for threatened and endangered speciesacross multiple taxa (plants, herpetofauna, birds, mammals,invertebrates, fish), including presence/absence surveys, habitatassessments, and population monitoring; obtain necessary state and federal handling permits.
• Complete environmental compliance documentation—biologicalassessments, impact evaluations, and mitigation plans—for IDOTtransportation projects, and prepare technical reports for submission to IDOT and regulatory agencies.
• Biological Team:
  Execute wildlife surveys using standardized protocols, conduct road mortality assessments, and evaluate the potential for and effectiveness of mitigation strategies forwildlife populations and ecosystem function. Wetland Team:
  Performwetland delineations following U.S. Army Corps of Engineersmethodology, conduct rapid functional assessments, completejurisdictional determinations, and assess mitigation site performance.
• Collect, manage, and quality-check field data using mobile devices, GPS units, and standardized datasheets; respond totime-sensitive field requests and adapt to changing prioritiesduring construction seasons.
• Develop and implement applied research projects addressingknowledge gaps in road ecology, with emphasis on avoidance,minimization, and mitigation effectiveness; contribute findings topeer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and conference presentations.
• Create, maintain, and analyze spatial datasets using ArcGIS orQGIS; produce maps and spatial summaries for reports and publications; contribute to Center-wide data management systems.
• Collaborate across biological and wetland teams; maintain professional relationships with IDOT personnel and regulatory agency staff; mentor undergraduate and graduate students involved in REC research.

Required for All Positions:

• Master’s degree in ecology, wildlife biology, botany,environmental science, natural resource management, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of three years of professional experience conductingecological field surveys (academic research, consulting, or agency work acceptable).
• Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publication in appliedecology or conservation biology, commensurate with the university-level Assistant Scientist classification
• Demonstrated competency in…