Scientist 1 - Tropical Restoration or Conservation Ecologist

Position Title: Scientist 1 - Tropical Restoration or Conservation Ecologist

The process of reviewing applications will start on January 15, 2024 and will continue until a candidate has been selected for the position.

While the preferred start date is any time before August 2024, there is flexibility, and the exact start date is negotiable. The salary offered will reflect the candidate's experience and will be accompanied by a comprehensive benefits package.

For the application process, candidates need to compile the following documents and submit them in a single pdf file:

A cover letter,

A research statement that should not exceed two pages,

Their CV, and

The contact information for three references.

Summary:

The person holding this position will actively contribute to the growth and development of the Missouri Botanical Garden's (MBG) Latin American programs. Leveraging MBG's strengths, the individual will devise and execute innovative research projects to further the science of tropical restoration or conservation in Latin America. Importantly, the Scientist will contribute to discerning and exploiting avenues to weave research into practical restoration or conservation efforts.

The focus will predominantly be on places where MBG already possesses a significant foothold and well-established networks, with a particular emphasis on the Andean region or Mesoamerica.

The Scientist will conceive and write competitive grant proposals to ensure funding for both ongoing and new initiatives. Beyond securing funds, they may also assume managerial duties related to financed projects. The Scientist will also conduct their own research and publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals as a leading or senior author.

Mentoring responsibilities will also be important, providing leadership, direction and training undergraduate, MS, and PhD students, as well as Post-Doctoral Fellows. Similarly, the Scientist may have managing responsibilities over interns or volunteers, and may supervise junior staff and provide guidance for their career development.

Collaboration stands as a key aspect for this role. The Scientist will work in partnership with fellow MBG staff members and will extend collaborative efforts to institutional partners and individuals in the U.S., Latin America, and potentially beyond.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assumes a leadership role in the development and execution of research projects in the fields of restoration or conservation ecology in Latin America.
• Actively initiates, conducts, and spearheads independent research, ensuring results are prepared for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Looks for opportunities to integrate their research in applied restoration or conservation initiatives.
• Diligently identifies potential funding sources and authors competitive grant proposals to secure external funding for research projects, restoration or conservation initiatives and program expansion.
• Provides leadership and mentorship to a diverse group, including undergraduate, Master's, Ph.D. students, interns, volunteers, and Post-Doctoral Fellows, across both the U.S. and Latin America.
• Engages in close collaboration with various MBG departments to support research initiatives, particularly with entities like the Center for Conservation and Sustainable Development, the William L. Brown Center, Horticulture, and Education.
• Strategically develops and fosters external collaborations and partnerships beyond MBG, solidifying cooperative agreements to amplify the impact of Latin American programs.
• Represents the institution in scientific meetings, delivering compelling lectures to both professionals and the public as needed.
• Depending on requirements, may manage funded projects, ensuring junior staff, contractors, and volunteers are led, directed, and trained effectively.
• Strictly adheres to MBG's guidelines when preparing and overseeing budgets, contracts, agreements and projects.
• Prepares detailed reports, summarizing the progress and efficacy of programs and projects undertaken.
• Regularly reviews a spectrum of documents, including grant proposals, journal articles, institutional reports, and publicity materials.
• Undertakes responsibilities on scientific panels or committees when solicited.
• Meets expected attendance guidelines.
• 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.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position may have supervisory responsibilities.

Core Competencies

• Communication: Combines listening skills, verbal and written communication skills and visitor relation skills.
• Collaboration: Incorporates teamwork, mutual respect, active engagement, cooperation and visitor focus.
• Accountability: Initiative to take ownership of responsibilities, the ability to prioritize and the working knowledge and skills to take action.
• Problem Solving: Blends problem solving skills, judgement and decision making skills along with creativity and resourcefulness.
• Stewardship: Merges the practical application of the Garden values and support for a positive organizational climate.
• Leadership: Leadership competency incorporates a cluster of knowledge, skills and abilities required for management of people, budgets and assigned business functions/operations.

Qualifications/Experience:

• conservation biology, ecology, or related fields.

• Documented scientific record with a minimum of three years' experience and publication record.

• Capacity to conceive and develop projects that will advance the fields of plant explorations, conservation or restoration.
• Three years or more (3+) years' experience in staff management including conflict resolution and other related management experience.
• Strong understanding of financial budget development/management and forecasting process.
• Demonstrated abilities in successful grant proposal writing, fundraising, and negotiating and managing budgets.
• Willingness and flexibility to conduct fieldwork.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills: professionalism; ability to speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, to listen and get clarification, and to respond well to questions; is tactful and treats others with respect.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively at all levels; ability to work with diverse teams, including international colleagues.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 25% of time.
• Scheduling flexibility is required to work evenings, weekends, or holidays as needed.
• The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.

Education:

• Ph.D. training in restoration, conservation biology, genetics, ecology, or a related discipline required.
• An equivalent combination of education, skills and experience may be considered.

Other Skills and Abilities: Exceptional public speaking skills required.

Language Skills: Ability to communicate effectively in English (oral/written); skills with other languages, particularly Spanish, is highly desirable.

Mathematical Skills:

• Advanced college math aptitude - requires the ability to perform algebra/calculus equations, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; calculate percentages and decimals, etc.
• Ability to work with statistics.
• Ability to analyze budgets.

Reasoning Ability:

• Requires ability to conduct independent research and to actively participate in team work; apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution; represent the interests and projects a positive image of the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Computer Skills:

• Computer simulation skills are particularly desirable.

• Proficiency using Microsoft Office Word and Excel programs required; strong working knowledge of Outlook features required and PowerPoint preferred.
• Solid Internet research skills.

• Ability to use e-mail to communicate with MBG staff in order to answer questions and service their needs.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Must possess a valid driver's license prior to employment.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a passport for international travel.
• Must be able to obtain visas, vaccinations and immunizations for all countries where travel is required.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

• Ability to utilize computer keyboard (typing) and sit for extended periods of the work day.
• Operates copier, printer, fax, and computer.

• Ability to walk about facility frequently throughout work day, and sit for extended periods of the work day (may sit up to 50% of work day).
• Ability to travel independently for long periods on airplanes, trains and other conveyances both domestic and international.
• Ability to walk, stand, kneel, or climb as required and move about for extended periods of time.

• Physical fitness necessary for field studies involving multi-week hikes/rides/camping in difficult terrain.

• May be required to perform tasks at varying heights and at high altitudes.
• Ability to understand field safety requirements and wear personal protective equipment, as needed.
• Ability to work in extreme weather conditions.
• May require working long hours to meet deadlines.

Work Environment:

• Office and laboratory environment in St. Louis and overseas; overseas assignments, including in developing countries and/or in remote and rugged regions.
• Outdoor setting; ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions (i.e., in temperatures over 100F as well as temperatures below 0F, in rain, snow and other inclement weather conditions as needed).
• Comfortable working in immediate proximity to general public, in a safe and friendly manner, answering questions.

Contacts with Individuals/Organizations inside/outside the Missouri Botanical Garden:

• Garden employees and volunteers

• Collaborators, Guests and International Scientists
• Professional Organizations
• Governmental Officials
• Colleges/Universities

Supervisor: Director of the Latin America Department