Principle Aquatic Ecologist

Principle Aquatic Ecologist

Cherokee United Services is seeking a Principle Aquatic Ecologist in Columbia, MO. This senior scientific role leads and supports research on environmental stressors affecting freshwater and riparian ecosystems. The selected candidate will design and conduct studies, analyze complex datasets, develop scientifically defensible findings, and communicate results to stakeholders.

Compensation is commensurate with experience.

Full-time benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), and other possible benefits as provided. Benefits are subject to change with or without notice.

• Lead the design, implementation, interpretation, and reporting of field and laboratory studies involving metals, contaminants, wildfire impacts, mining-affected lands, and freshwater aquatic and riparian food webs.
• Serve as a project and team lead; coordinate research activities with scientists, partners, and external collaborators.
• Develop robust study designs, sampling plans, work plans, and research products that meet client and partner requirements.
• Collaborate with the Mineral Resources Program, Environmental Health Program, and other organizations to evaluate contaminant movement and ecological effects in freshwater systems.
• Conduct research on the unique effects of wildfire on previously mined lands and associated aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
• Contribute subject matter expertise on aquatic invertebrates, aquatic-terrestrial food webs, and freshwater stressors as a member of the Critical Minerals Synthesis Team.
• Work with partners and collaborators to identify research priorities and develop tools, syntheses, and frameworks for restoration practitioners.
• Support existing and emerging national and international research collaborations related to contaminant transport, freshwater ecosystem health, restoration, and environmental stressors.
• Evaluate large and complex datasets using basic and advanced statistical methods, including univariate, multivariate, Bayesian, and other appropriate modeling approaches.
• Use R and other data-analysis, visualization, and statistical software to develop reproducible analyses and clear scientific interpretations.
• Maintain organized, secure, and properly backed-up datasets, analytical code, metadata, documentation, and supporting records.
• Prepare data releases in accordance with federal requirements and ensure data products are complete, accurate, and ready for review and publication.
• Follow applicable quality management system (QMS), biosecurity, animal-use, safety, and information-security policies and procedures.
• Ensure research teams maintain required QMS documentation, training records, data-quality records, and corrective-action documentation.
• Lead or contribute to peer-reviewed journal articles, technical reports, cooperator reports, data releases, scientific tools, and other research products.
• Translate complex scientific findings into clear, practical materials for briefings, stakeholder meetings, practitioner applications, scientific outreach, and conferences.
• Deliver oral and poster presentations at national and international conferences, working-group meetings, and stakeholder engagements.
• Respond to workplan requests, data calls, research-priority requests, and product requests from collaborators and project partners.
• Submit required monthly activity reports, requested progress reports, travel documentation, and time-and-attendance records.
• Travel to field sites and meeting locations for sample collection, project planning, coordination, and communication of research results, as needed. Travel is not expected to exceed one week per month.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

• Ph.D. in ecology, environmental science, chemistry, toxicology, hydrology, water quality, soils, fluvial geomorphology, biometry, plant and wildlife ecology, economics, or another closely related scientific discipline required.
• Minimum of 10 years of advanced, progressively responsible experience in relevant scientific research, environmental assessment, ecological restoration, or natural-resource management required.
• Subject matter expertise in freshwater ecology, aquatic invertebrates, contaminants, food webs, environmental stressors, restoration ecology, or related disciplines required.
• Demonstrated experience designing and leading field and laboratory studies to address complex…