Researcher | Minne

Researcher 3

The West Lab at the University of Minnesota‑Twin Cities is seeking a full‑time researcher to support research and outreach efforts related to a statewide bioacoustic monitoring and participatory science project. The position will be based in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, and will include substantial engagement with external partners. The focus of the position will be to co‑lead the project’s community science recruitment, training, coordination, and communication efforts, management of acoustic recording unit (ARU) inventory and lending, data acquisition, data entry and management, field work, and writing (contribute to reports and outreach publications).

This position will also support graduate and undergraduate student researchers and research infrastructure (e.g., field vehicles, equipment, physical lab space) in the West lab.

Location:

Minneapolis, MN.

Competitive candidates will ideally have diverse professional work experience including conducting research, supporting and facilitating project management processes, and relevant administrative or research experience that positions them to be able to proactively and creatively develop and coordinate programmatic workflows given initial onboarding.

The researcher will contribute to project coordination and communication with partners and volunteers, data entry and management, conducting outreach, securing permits, reporting to funders and external partners, and educational offerings.

Collaborative work with volunteers and outreach to professional and non‑professional stakeholders will be essential components of this position. Work will involve a mix of off‑campus and on‑campus activities, some fieldwork, computer‑based work, and engagement with internal and external partners. Overall, responsibilities will comprise a variety of research and outreach‑related activities, with effort dedicated to each varying seasonally and annually depending on project needs and funding sources.

In sum, these activities will include:

• Volunteer engagement, outreach, and recruitment (40%):
  Help recruit community science volunteers and promote the project on media and social media outlets and maintain a project website; create training material for community science volunteers to use when participating, including how‑to videos on ARU setup and sound file upload as well as updating procedure documents; coordinate community science volunteers and equipment lending; support and co‑lead bioacoustics volunteer training workshops as needed.
• Project coordination, field and lab work in support of research project (40%):
  Collect ecological data from study sites, help supervise field crews, manage equipment, vehicles, and physical lab space; communication with partners and stakeholders (internal and external); support graduate and undergraduate student researchers and research infrastructure.
• Data management, analysis, and interpretation (20%):
  Data acquisition, data entry and management; writing (contributing to reports and publications).

• Bachelor’s degree in ecology, biology, environmental science, or a related field and at least 4 years of related experience with project management specific to this field OR a Master’s degree and 2 years of related experience OR a combination of education and relevant experience to equal at least 8 years.
• Experience with data management and analysis (including spreadsheets).
• Organizational and time management skills.
• Care and attention to detail in field and computer‑based research.
• Demonstrated ability to clearly and effectively communicate scientific and technical concepts both verbally and in writing to diverse audiences.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Enthusiasm for science communication and engaging with diverse stakeholders, including non‑academic audiences and community science volunteers.
• Valid U.S. state driver’s license.
• Ability to work long hours outside and in inclement weather conditions.
• Willingness to travel for work for several days at a time (some weekend work required).
• Ability to safely work in rugged field environments, including driving and hiking.

• Prior experience working in bioacoustics and/or wildlife ecology.
• Experience with ArcGIS.
• Experience writing scientific manuscripts.
• Experience preparing proposals for research funding.
• Prior experience working with large datasets.
• Experience working with interdisciplinary teams, including academics and non‑academics.
• Ability to safely operate 4‑wheel drive vehicles.