Research Ecologist, IS-0408-12

Smithsonian Institution; Front Royal (VA); On-site; USD 102,000 - 133,000; Full time

Job summary

Smithsonian Institution in Front Royal, VA seeks a Research Ecologist/Project Coordinator for the Arabian Leopard Ecology Program. The role focuses on landscape-level conservation, ecology, and restoration of an imperiled species in partnership with international partners.

Strong geospatial analysis, modeling, and field data collection are essential. The position leads collaboration across teams, secures funding, and contributes to training and education initiatives while advancing science-based

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field; 9 biology/mo focus and 12 semester hours in physical/mathematical sciences.
• Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree required; strong research background in ecology or related field.

Responsibilities

• Designs, develops, and executes a collaborative international research program focusing on landscape-level conservation and restoration.
• Utilizes GIS, remote sensing, tracking/biologging, and occupancy modeling to study wildlife communities.
• Independently conducts all phases of the research process from problem definition to interpretation of findings.
• Develops field projects to collect data on movement ecology and species interactions for conservation planning.
• Secures funds to support the research program from internal and external sources.
• Presents research at meetings and in peer-reviewed journals; contributes to training programs for students and professionals.

Skills

Geospatial analysis

Ecological modeling

Python

R

Statistical analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology or related field

Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

Tools

GIS tools

Remote sensing tools

Job description

Research Ecologist, IS-0408-12

Application Deadline: 13 October 2026

Department: National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Front Royal, VA

Compensation: $102,415 - $133,142 / year

Description

OPEN DATE: September 15, 2026

CLOSING DATE: October 13, 2026

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Not to Exceed two (2) years (may be extended based on funds availability)

SCHEDULE: Full Time

DUTY LOCATION: Front Royal, VA

Position sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive (NS)/Moderate Risk

This position is open to all Qualified Applicants

What are Trust Fund Positions?

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program and may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated as low risk.
• Complete a Probationary Period
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

OVERVIEW

The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is located in the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI), Washington, DC. NZCBI plays a leading role in the Smithsonian's global efforts to save wildlife species from extinction and train future generations of conservationists.

The Smithsonian Institution is seeking a Research Ecologist/Project Coordinator for its Ecology Program focused on the study and conservation of Arabian Leopards in partnership with the Royal Commission for AlUla in Saudi Arabia. The program conducts basic and applied research and innovates, develops, and implements science-based solutions for the conservation and restoration of keystone dryland wildlife species and ecosystems on the Arabian Peninsula. The program is focused on:

• Cutting-edge science and technology to conserve and restore imperiled species and advance our understanding and management of dryland ecosystems.
• Developing and executing research projects that investigate questions about at-risk species and their associated biotic communities.
• Impactful education and capacity building to train and foster the next generation of conservation leaders and practitioners in local communities through workshops, training courses, intern and fellowships.

The Arabian Leopard Ecology Program is a new program at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. The position requires team and partnership development in addition to research and conservation activities.

LOCATION

Front Royal, VA Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Designs, develops, and executes a collaborative international research program with multiple scientific research projects focusing on landscape-level conservation, ecology, and restoration of threatened species.
• Utilizes new tools and technologies to advance the conservation and restoration of threatened species, inclusive of new analytical and quantitative approaches that account for uncertainty to model the impact of anthropogenic disturbance on the abundance, distribution, and movement of wildlife communities. Examples include expertise in GIS and remote sensing; tracking and biologging systems; occupancy and distribution modeling, and web-based mapping and visualization tools to store, share, and visualize occurrence data.
• Independently performs all phases of the complete research process, including problem definition, planning, execution, data analysis, and interpretation of findings.
• Develops, plans, and conducts field missions to collect data for addressing theoretical and applied research questions in movement ecology, spatial ecology, animal-habitat interactions, impact of anthropogenic disturbance, and conservation.
• Secures funds to support research program and field missions from both internal and external sources.
• Presents and publishes research at scientific meetings and for peer-reviewed journals publications which address important and novel questions in the scientific field, account for previously unexplained phenomena, or represent an important validation or modification of scientific theory in the topic area.
• Develops and implements training programs by supporting research of graduate students and post-doctoral students, as well as other professionals conducting related work.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

A. Degree: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in biology or a related field of science underlying ecological research that involved at least 30 semester hours of coursework in basic and applied biological sciences. These hours must have included at least 9 semester hours in biology or ecology, and 12 semester hours in physical and mathematical sciences.

OR

B. Combination of education and experience -- at least 30 semester hours of courses equivalent to a major in any combination of biological sciences, statistics, or mathematics, with required course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Additional Requirements:

• A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree that has equipped applicants with the knowledge, skills, and abilities (described below) necessary to do the work of the position.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE

• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing wildlife surveys, including but not limited to movement tracking, camera trapping, distance sampling, and aerial surveys.
• Expertise in geospatial analysis and ecological modeling, including the integration of satellite imagery and other remote sensing data.
• Strong skills in analyzing ecological, spatial, and environmental datasets, including developing predictive models, species distribution models, to inform conservation planning and ecological research.
• Proficiency in quantitative analysis and statistical modeling using R and/or Python.
• Proven field experience conducting ecological research in dryland and/or grassland ecosystems.
• Experience working on conservation or ecological research projects in dryland ecosystems.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary and multinational teams in a range of cultural settings.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; written and/or spoken Arabic language proficiency is an asset.
• Applicants who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.

Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact [e-mail]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: www.si.edu/oeema.