Biological Sciences Program Coordinator; GEO-TREES
Listed on 2026-10-30
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Research/Development
Research Scientist, Ecology, Biology
Final date to receive applications: 20 November 2026
Department: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Washington, DC
Reporting To: Director, SI Global Earth Observatory
Compensation: $121,785 / year
DescriptionOPEN DATE: October 21, 2026
CLOSING DATE: November 20, 2026 (
* This announcement will close once 100 applications have been received, which may occur prior to the listed closing date.*)
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary two (2) years, with the possibility of extending for an additional year, contingent upon the availability of funds.
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY
LOCATION:
On Site, National Museum of Natural History - Washington, DC
Non Sensitive/ Low Risk
Who May ApplyOpen to all qualified applicants
What are Trust Fund Positions?Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side.
Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).
- Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
- Complete a Probationary Period.
- Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
- The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply but will be required before a Final Offer Letter is issued.
- Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
This position is located in Washington, DC, within the Forest Global Earth Observatory (ForestGEO), Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), under the Office of the Under Secretary for Science and Research at the Smithsonian Institution (SI). STRI provides a global platform for groundbreaking research on tropical forests and marine ecosystems, with a focus on their biodiversity and the ways in which they support human well-being.
The ForestGEO program is a global network of scientists and forest research sites dedicated to advancing the long-term study of the world's forests. The GEO-TREES initiative addresses the uncertainty of satellite estimates of forest carbon by creating a trustworthy global carbon verification system based on existing collaborations among scientists at forest research sites worldwide.
The purpose of this position is to serve as Biological Sciences Program Coordinator for the GEO-TREES initiative, coordinating and supporting the scientific and technical implementation of an international forest carbon monitoring and verification network.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Scientific Program Coordination and Technical Implementation- Coordinates and supports implementation of the GEO-TREES scientific program activities associated with forest monitoring, forest biomass estimation, ecosystem measurement, carbon assessment, and related scientific research.
- Applies professional knowledge of forest ecology, biomass estimation, and ecosystem monitoring to evaluate scientific and technical issues arising during implementation of established research methodologies. Analyzes differences in field conditions, measurement practices, and research-site capabilities; assesses the scientific implications of proposed approaches; and develops or recommends technically sound solutions to support consistent and reliable implementation of GEO-TREES scientific activities.
- Works with scientists, technical working groups, research-site personnel, and collaborating institutions to coordinate implementation of established scientific protocols, field measurement standards, data-collection procedures, quality-control practices, and…
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