Research Scientist, Ecology

Cooperation Fund; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Atlanta Botanical Garden seeks a Research Scientist, Ecology to lead applied ecological research advancing conservation of rare and imperiled plants in the southeastern United States. You will develop collaborative research across restoration ecology, microbial interactions, translocations, and population viability, translating findings into practical conservation strategies.

The role combines research leadership with field-based conservation, grant development, scientific publication, and

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in ecology, conservation biology, plant biology, botany, restoration ecology, natural resources, or related discipline.
• Proven record of designing, conducting, analyzing, and publishing original ecological or conservation research.
• Experience with rare-plant conservation, population ecology, demography, or population viability.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills with ecological datasets.
• Ability to develop and manage collaborative research or conservation projects.
• Experience obtaining or contributing to externally funded research programs.
• Peer-reviewed publications appropriate to career stage.
• Excellent scientific writing and interpersonal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead applied ecological research focused on rare plants and restoration.
• Translate research into practical conservation strategies and decision-support tools.
• Analyze ecological datasets and contribute to GIS analyses.
• Develop funded research programs and pursue external funding.
• Manage grants, partnerships, budgets, milestones, and reporting.
• Disseminate research through publications, conferences, and workshops.
• Collaborate with universities, agencies, and conservation partners.
• Mentor interns and students involved in related projects.

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Scientific writing

Interpersonal communication

Collaboration

Mentorship

Research design

Education

Ph.D. in ecology or related field

Tools

GIS

Statistical programming

R

Job description

The Atlanta Botanical Garden seeks a Research Scientist, Ecology to join the SECC within the Department of Conservation & Research. The Research Scientist will lead applied ecological research that advances the conservation and recovery of rare and imperiled plants and the restoration of their habitats, with particular emphasis on the southeastern United States. Working within the SECC and Garden’s strategic plans, the successful candidate will develop and lead collaborative research focused on priority areas such as restoration ecology, especially research integrating fungal and other microbial interactions, conservation translocations and reintroductions, adaptive management, demography and population dynamics, and or population viability. The scientist will translate research findings into practical conservation strategies while contributing to the Garden's leadership in plant conservation science. This position combines research leadership with field-based conservation, grant development, scientific publication, collaboration with conservation partners, and mentorship of staff and emerging scientists.

Key Responsibilities

• Research: Conduct and oversee research in areas such as restoration ecology, especially research integrating microbial interactions, conservation translocations and reintroductions, adaptive management, rare-plant demography and population dynamics, and or population viability. Develop research questions, experimental designs, monitoring approaches, and analytical frameworks that inform species recovery and habitat restoration
• Apply Research to Conservation: Develop science-based strategies for establishing, augmenting, managing, and monitoring populations of conservation concern. Translate ecological analyses into indicators, monitoring approaches, prioritization frameworks, and other decision-support tools for conservation, restoration, and adaptive management
• Data Analysis: Analyze ecological and biological datasets using appropriate quantitative and statistical methods, and contribute to spatial analyses using GIS and related tools
• Funding: Develop an externally and internally funded research program. Identify funding opportunities and lead or contribute to competitive proposals to foundations, government agencies, and other funding organizations
• Project Management: Manage grant-supported projects, including research activities, partnerships, budgets, milestones, reporting, and deliverables
• Communication: Disseminate research through peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, professional conferences, stakeholder meetings, workshops, Garden outreach, and other appropriate venues
• Collaboration: Develop and maintain collaborations with universities, state and federal agencies, conservation organizations, botanical gardens, land managers, and other partners, including participation in regional, multi-institutional research and conservation networks. Work across interdisciplinary and multi-institutional projects, collaborating with specialists in fields such as hydrology, soil science, geospatial analysis, conservation genetics, horticulture, and land management to address complex conservation questions. Collaborate with field biologists, technicians, interns, and other project personnel to support research implementation, data collection, and conservation outcomes
• Mentorship: Provide scientific guidance and mentorship to interns and undergraduate and graduate researchers participating in related projects and collaborate with field biologists, technicians, and other project personnel in the implementation of research

Requirements

• Ph.D. in ecology, conservation biology, plant biology, botany, restoration ecology, natural resources, or a closely related discipline
• Demonstrated record of designing, conducting, analyzing, and publishing original ecological or conservation research
• Expertise in one or more areas relevant to rare-plant conservation, such as population ecology, demography, restoration ecology, reintroduction biology, conservation translocations, or population viability
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills and experience working with ecological or biological datasets
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage collaborative research or conservation projects
• Experience obtaining or contributing substantially to externally funded research or conservation programs
• Record of peer-reviewed scientific publication appropriate to career stage
• Excellent scientific writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively with researchers, agency personnel, land managers, conservation practitioners, students, and other partners
• Experience supervising or mentoring research staff, students, technicians, or interns
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to interdisciplinary teams and institutional research priorities

Preferred Qualifications

• Research experience with rare, threatened, or endangered plants
• Experience with plant reintroduction, conservation translocation, population augmentation, or adaptive management
• Experience with demographic monitoring, population modeling, or population viability analysisExperience in ecological restoration, particularly wetland, grassland, woodland, or other southeastern ecosystems
• Strong plant identification skills, particularly with flora of the southeastern United States
• Experience collaborating with state and federal natural-resource agencies
• Experience with GIS, spatial analysis, species distribution modeling, or statistical programming
• Experience working in a botanical garden, nonprofit conservation organization, university, government agency, or comparable research setting

Physical Requirements and Travel

This position includes fieldwork in remote locations, uneven terrain, and a range of weather conditions. The employee must be able to perform strenuous field activities and lift and carry equipment weighing up to 40 pounds. Ability to operate vehicles, including four-wheel-drive vehicles, is required for some field activities. Regional travel is required, with occasional national or international travel depending on project needs. Travel may represent up to approximately 25% of the position.

Candidates are encouraged to apply even if they do not possess every preferred qualification.

The above job duties and responsibilities describe the general nature and level of work for employees in this position, but this is not intended as an exclusive or all-inclusive inventory of all duties required of employees in this job.

It is the policy of the Atlanta Botanical Garden to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Atlanta Botanical Garden Core Values

• Conservation: We value natural resources and ecosystems, making choices with the long-term sustainability of our planet in mind
• Excellence: We hold ourselves to high standards and expect commitment from each other to contribute to a positive image and reputation for the Garden
• Inspiration: We inspire through the creation of an environment that supports imagination and expression of beauty, providing joy, delight, and a deeper appreciation of plants for everyone
• Integrity: We demonstrate honesty, transparency, accountability, trustworthiness, and ethical behavior, exercising good judgment in our actions and communication
• Respect: We value the diversity of our coworkers, volunteers, and guests, holding each other in the highest regard