Conservation Biologist

Holden Forests & Gardens is comprised of the Holden Arboretum and Cleveland Botanical Garden and is committed to advancing plant and environmental science through research, conservation, and public engagement. The Leach Rhododendron Research Station serves as a center for rhododendron research, conservation, breeding, and education.

Holden Forests & Gardens seeks a Conservation Biologist to lead research, conservation, and operations at the Leach Rhododendron Research Station. This position offers the opportunity to build a research program around a globally significant living collection while directly influencing its future through conservation and breeding.

The successful candidate will combine scientific research, collection stewardship, breeding program leadership, and public engagement to advance understanding and conservation of rhododendrons and related taxa. Research can center on the ecology, evolution, or pathology of rhododendrons and other ericaceous plants. Working at the intersection of research, horticulture, and education, the Conservation Biologist will serve as an institutional expert, foster scientific discovery, support the continued development of the Leach collections, and manage station operations.

The Leach Rhododendron Research Station serves as a hub for rhododendron expertise within Holden Forests & Gardens. As a member of the Research Department, the Conservation Biologist will develop and conduct research that advances understanding of rhododendrons and other ericaceous plants while supporting conservation, breeding, education, and public engagement initiatives. The successful candidate will collaborate broadly across Holden Forests & Gardens and with external researchers, universities, public gardens, conservation organizations, and professional societies.

Key Responsibilities:

Key responsibilities of the
Conservation Biologist
include, but are not limited to:

• Conduct research relevant to plant conservation, with a focus on rhododendrons and other ericaceous plants.
• Publish findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Present research at scientific conferences, professional meetings, and public forums.
• Pursue and secure external funding to support research initiatives.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Holden Forests & Gardens and with external academic, governmental, nonprofit, and professional partners.
• Serve as a primary advisor or committee member for graduate students in support of research objectives.

• Serve as an institutional expert on rhododendrons, ericaceous plants, and the Leach Rhododendron Research Station.
• Share scientific and horticultural knowledge through classes, workshops, public tours, educational programming, interpretive materials, and direct engagement with visitors and stakeholders.
• Represent Holden Forests & Gardens in professional organizations and scientific networks, including organizations such as Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), the American Rhododendron Society, and related professional associations.

• Provide leadership for the Leach Rhododendron Research Station.
• Provide scientific leadership for the Leach Rhododendron breeding program, integrating research, horticultural evaluation, and conservation priorities to guide the development of new cultivars.
• Collaborate closely with the Curation team to support stewardship and development of the rhododendron and azalea collections at Leach Research Station.
• Supervise station personnel, including the Field Station Specialist, interns, seasonal staff, and volunteers.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Ph.D. in biology, ecology, horticulture, forestry, or a closely related field.
• Demo…