Assistant Scientist, William L. Brown Center

Summary:

The scientist will lead a research theme within the William L. Brown Center on plants for food, including agrobiodiversity, crop wild relatives and wild utilized plants, and their role in global food security. Building on background in agrobiodiversity, ethnobotany, plant systematics, taxonomy, or related fields, the scientist will leverage MBG's strengths and build new initiatives to advance science in support of the WLBC mission to understand the relationships between humans, plants, and their environment.

They will take a key role in a program of studies of important food plant species, including cultivated, crop wild relative, and edible species, and may develop and direct field studies, geographic comparisons, monographic, morphological and/or molecular approaches to address questions related to the analysis, maintenance and future trajectories of food plant diversity. They will have the ability to attract funding and to conduct strategically aligned project operations with some supervision.

They will have at least some understanding of botanical garden collections and interest in producing knowledge that addresses societal challenges, including engagement with policy and local and Indigenous communities.

• Assumes a key role in developing and executing research projects that advance ethnobotanical science and the understanding of plants for food; drawing upon expertise and collections of WLBC and the Garden.
• Publishes research results in high-quality peer-reviewed journals and other publications.
• Shares research findings at scientific meetings and with the public through talks and other outreach initiatives.
• Supports colleagues and students in the development and execution of collaborative research projects.
• Identifies funding sources and writes competitive grant proposals.
• Manages funded projects including budget oversight and supervision of support staff, contractors, or volunteers as necessary.
• Provides mentorship to undergraduate, Master's, Ph.D. students, interns, volunteers, and Post-Doctoral Fellows.
• Collaborates with other Departments and Divisions within MBG such as Conservation, Restoration and Sustainability and Education.
• Fosters external collaborations and partnerships to enhance MBG's William L. Brown Center.
• Serves on scientific panels, committees or academic society leadership as needed.
• Represents WLBC and MBG at scientific and non-scientific meetings, events, and outreach activities.
• Engages with diverse local and Indigenous community members and decision makers as necessary to develop programs and inform policy.
• Prepares detailed reports on projects for internal and external stakeholders.
• Reviews and contributes to various documents including grant proposals and journal articles.
• Adheres to MBG's guidelines for budgets, contracts, agreements, and projects.
• Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.
• Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork, cooperation, and respect within our division and throughout the Garden with all employees, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and others
• Performs other duties as assigned.

This position may supervise Science Specialists. They may also provide direction and training to students and fellows.

• Communication
  - Listens to others and asks questions for clarification;
  Writes clearly and presents information accurately;
  Speaks professionally and responds well to questions;
  Supports positive visitor relations.
• Collaboration
  - Demonstrates teamwork and promotes respect in the workplace;
  Engages in…