REC - Assistant Scientists (Interdisciplinary Scientists) Pool Search (8)

Southern Illinois University Carbondale; Carbondale (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Roadside Ecology Center (REC) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale invites applications for eight full-time Interdisciplinary Scientists to conduct field-based ecological research in support of road ecology projects with IDOT. Positions are assigned to Biological or Wetland Teams and require multi-taxa competency, GIS proficiency, and collaboration across disciplines.

Minimum qualifications include a Master’s degree in ecology or related field, 3+ years of field surveys, and a track

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in ecology, wildlife biology, botany, environmental science, natural resource management, or closely related field.
• 2–3 years of professional ecological field survey experience acceptable (academic, consulting, or agency).
• Evidence of peer‑reviewed publications in applied ecology or conservation biology.
• Ability to identify species across at least two major taxonomic groups.
• Proficiency with GIS software (ArcGIS, QGIS) including data creation, analysis, and mapping.
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record; able to carry equipment up to 40 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field surveys for threatened and endangered species across multiple taxa; obtain state and federal permits as needed.
• Complete environmental compliance documentation for IDOT projects and prepare technical reports.
• Biological Team: conduct wildlife surveys and assess mitigation effectiveness; Wetland Team: perform wetland delineations and assess site performance.
• Collect, manage, and quality-check field data using mobile devices and GPS; respond to time-sensitive field requests.
• Develop applied research projects and contribute findings to publications, reports, and conferences.
• Create and analyze spatial datasets using ArcGIS or QGIS; produce maps and summaries for reports and publications.
• Collaborate across teams and mentor undergraduate/graduate students.

Skills

Field surveys

Species identification (multi-taxa)

GIS proficiency

Collaborative research

Data management

Field data collection

Education

Master’s degree in ecology or closely related field

Three years ecological field survey experience

Tools

ArcGIS

QGIS

GPS / mobile data collection

R / Python (basics)

Job description

The Roadside Ecology Center (REC) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIU) invites applications for eight (8) full-time Interdisciplinary Scientists. These positions conduct field-based ecological research and environmental compliance work in support of the Center’s mission to assess and mitigate the impacts of transportation infrastructure on wildlife and ecosystems. The REC operates through a long-term partnership between SIU and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), serving the environmental compliance needs of the southern third of Illinois while advancing applied research in road ecology.

Positions are assigned to either the Biological Team - focused on wildlife, threatened and endangered species, and multi-taxa surveys - or the Wetland Team, focused on wetland delineation, functional assessment, and aquatic resources. All positions require multi-taxa competency, strong field skills, GIS proficiency, and collaborative work across disciplines.

IDOT and the REC seek scientists who are research-minded, multi-taxa generalists. The research emphasis is on identifying resource concerns, determining appropriate mitigation and offset strategies, evaluating current best management practices, and conducting defensible research on avoidance and minimization in the built environment.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.

• Conduct field surveys for threatened and endangered species across multiple taxa (plants, herpetofauna, birds, mammals, invertebrates, fish), including presence/absence surveys, habitat assessments, and population monitoring; obtain necessary state and federal handling permits.
• Complete environmental compliance documentation - biological assessments, impact evaluations, and mitigation plans - for IDOT transportation projects, and prepare technical reports for submission to IDOT and regulatory agencies.
• Biological Team: Execute wildlife surveys using standardized protocols, conduct road mortality assessments, and evaluate the potential for and effectiveness of mitigation strategies for wildlife populations and ecosystem function. Wetland Team: Perform wetland delineations following U.S. Army Corps of Engineers methodology, conduct rapid functional assessments, complete jurisdictional determinations, and assess mitigation site performance.
• Collect, manage, and quality-check field data using mobile devices, GPS units, and standardized datasheets; respond to time-sensitive field requests and adapt to changing priorities during construction seasons.
• Develop and implement applied research projects addressing knowledge gaps in road ecology, with emphasis on avoidance, minimization, and mitigation effectiveness; contribute findings to peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and conference presentations.
• Create, maintain, and analyze spatial datasets using ArcGIS or QGIS; produce maps and spatial summaries for reports and publications; contribute to Center-wide data management systems.
• Collaborate across biological and wetland teams; maintain professional relationships with IDOT personnel and regulatory agency staff; mentor undergraduate and graduate students involved in REC research.

Minimum Qualifications:

Required for All Positions:

• Master’s degree in ecology, wildlife biology, botany, environmental science, natural resource management, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of three years of professional experience conducting ecological field surveys (academic research, consulting, or agency work acceptable).
• Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publication in applied ecology or conservation biology, commensurate with the university-level Assistant Scientist classification
• Demonstrated competency in species identification across at least two major taxonomic groups.
• Proficiency with GIS software (ArcGIS, QGIS), including spatial data creation, analysis, and map production.
• Driver’s license with clean driving record; physical ability to conduct field work in variable terrain and conditions, including carrying equipment up to 40 lbs.

Additional Requirements - Biological Team:

• Experience conducting wildlife surveys using standardized protocols (e.g., point counts, acoustic monitoring, camera trapping, mist netting) and familiarity with threatened and endangered species of Illinois or the Midwest.

Additional Requirements - Wetland Team:

• Demonstrated experience conducting wetland delineations following U.S. Army Corps of Engineers methodology; proficiency in Midwest herbaceous wetland plant identification; familiarity with Section 404 permitting and wetland mitigation requirements.

Preferred (All Positions):

• PhD in a relevant discipline is strongly preferred, or five or more years of professional experience in road ecology, transportation agency work, or environmental consulting.
• Familiarity with NEPA, ESA (Sections 7 and 10), or Clean Water Act compliance processes; professional certifications (e.g., CWB, PWS).
• Proficiency with statistical software (R, Python); experience with remote sensing, spatial modeling, or advanced GIS; track record of peer-reviewed publications or technical reports.
• Familiarity with Illinois flora, fauna, natural communities, and ecoregions, particularly southern Illinois.

Required documents: Please submit a letter of application, CV/Resume, and three references.

Contact: Brent Pease, [e-mail]