NEON Project Scientist at Boulder Headquarters

Project Scientist

Summary:
This position reports to the Project Manager. The Project Scientist coordinates the design and development of scientific activities during the construction phase of the Observatory. The Project Scientist oversees, leads and guides the efforts of NEON Staff Scientists to ensure the scientific integrity and viability of science requirements in all measurement and observation systems for the Observatory during construction. The Project Scientist is responsible for the day-to-day management of the science product teams assuring the quality of science and meeting schedules, budgets and the production of work products.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Ensures the integrity, traceability and viability of the NEON scientific requirements in the design and development activities of the NEON construction project. S/he will be responsible for performing essential scientific analyses to build and deliver integrated measurement and observation sub-systems and articulating alternative solutions as necessary.
• Leads and manages the NEON scientific teams (Fundamental Instrument Unit, Fundamental Sampling Unit, Aquatics and STREON, and Collections and Laboratory Analysis) and the Commissioning Scientist in their timely execution of project activities leading to the delivery of scientific products, including the development of the annual budget, planning and staffing.
• Facilitates the timely delivery of Data Products through the identification of sensor suppliers, development of sampling protocols, site selections and the provision of algorithms for data processing, and the oversight of the relevant contracts and procurements.
• Defines and implements the science commissioning activities that lead to the verification of NEON science requirements, to ensure all data adheres to NEON quality standards.
• Serves as the primary scientific representative and spokesperson for scientific matters related to constructing the Observatory to include liaising with site owners, technical working groups, the NEON Observatory Scientist and other advisory groups as necessary. Coordinates communications with the NEON Observatory Scientist to ensure consistent messaging to external stakeholders (STEAC, NSF, NEON members).
• Interacts with other construction Product Team Leaders in the execution of project activities to optimize implementation of scientific requirements across subsystems.

Required Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills:

• PhD with at least 10 years of expertise and established record of outstanding scholarly achievement in ecology or other discipline related to the NEON Science mission.
• Strong program management experience to include leading and managing large and interdisciplinary teams of scientists, as well as coordinating the design, development, and implementation of multiple, diverse projects and the teams of scientists supporting them.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal/communication skills, especially with regard to team building among diverse professional and technically-trained staff, with the ability to translate efficiently the needs/responsibilities of the project into effective work plans for the science teams.
• Extensive experience successfully advocating for a scientific organization to government agencies, funding organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Strong scientific credentials, with an outstanding record of achievement.
• Broad knowledge of ecological sciences and related fields applicable to NEON including one or more of the following: taxonomy and systematics, evolutionary biology, epidemiology, remote sensing and informatics. Knowledge of biodiversity, disease, population, or community ecology is desirable.
• Experience with/understanding of planning, development, implementation, operation and supervision of ecological field studies, analytical laboratories, and data collection.
• Knowledge of field and instrument sampling and measurement techniques.

Preferred Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills:
• Broadly trained in field-based ecology and related sciences relevant to NEON.
• Experience addressing science questions at broad geographic scales; preferably at the regional to continental scale.
• Experience with statistical and modeling experience in large scale ecology.
• History of active engagement with the ecological and natural resources management communities.
• Experience in developing and communicating science policy and plans.
• Familiarity with development and commissioning of large-scale science projects with distributed sites and management.
• Experience in implementing or managing inventory and monitoring programs.
• History of good communication experience among multiple partners — academic, government, nonprofit and private.
• Knowledge of field-based biology protocols and best practices.
• Direct experience working with field crews and field stations.
• Experience working in a collaborative scientific enterprise or project.
• Ability to coach, mentor and counsel junior scientists with a wide range of experience, skills and interests.
• Self-starter, who can create new opportunities, use novel methods, analyses and approaches to enable continental-scale research.

Term:
This is a term position with work scheduled until December 31, 2017.

Must have permanent authorization for US employment.

Please apply to: www.neoninc.org

NEON Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, Veterans and Disabled Persons are encouraged to apply.