Researcher IV

Cherokee Federal; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Job summary

Cherokee United Services is seeking a Researcher IV to support the Benthic Ecology Research Program in Gainesville, FL. The role focuses on food‑web research, stable isotope ecology, and advanced modeling to analyze deep‑sea benthic systems.

Responsibilities include field sampling, lab experiments, data visualization, reporting, and manuscript preparation while mentoring students and coordinating with project partners. Travel to support field activities is expected.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in biological, environmental, marine, or closely related sciences.
• 7+ years of direct, relevant professional experience in biological, environmental, marine, or ecological science.
• Demonstrated experience in stable isotope ecology and food‑web research.
• Experience designing, conducting, and synthesizing ecological field or lab studies.
• Experience with deep‑sea organisms or benthic marine ecosystems preferred.
• Proficiency in applying statistical models to ecological datasets.
• Experience integrating multi‑format data into structured modeling environments.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a technical resource for food-web research projects.
• Design and execute deep-sea food-web studies using stable isotopes and ecological modeling.
• Conduct offshore fieldwork and sample collection for analyses.
• Develop and apply statistical models to evaluate environmental drivers on food webs.
• Use R, RStudio, and GIS tools to manage, analyze, and visualize data.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students in research methods and data management.
• Coordinate data acquisition, analysis, and reporting with stakeholders.

Skills

Stable isotope ecology

R & RStudio

Statistical modeling

Data management

GIS (QGIS)

Scientific communication

Mentorship

Education

Master's degree in biological sciences or closely related field

Tools

R

RStudio

Microsoft Access

QGIS

Job description

Research IV

Cherokee United Services is seeking a Researcher IV in Gainesville, Florida. This position supports the Benthic Ecology Research Program through food-web research, stable isotope ecology, statistical modeling, data synthesis, laboratory experiments, field sampling, scientific visualization, and publication development.

Compensation & Benefits:

Compensation is commensurate with experience. Full-time benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), and other possible benefits as provided. Benefits are subject to change with or without notice.

Research Scientist IV Responsibilities Include:

• Serve as a technical resource and point of contact for food-web research projects.
• Design, plan, and execute deep-sea food-web studies involving stable isotope ecology, trophic linkages, and ecological modeling.
• Participate in offshore and nearshore fieldwork, including ocean research cruises, to collect biological and environmental samples for stable isotope and related analyses.
• Design and conduct laboratory and field experiments examining the feeding, growth, reproduction, environmental thresholds, and health of deep-sea corals and associated marine organisms.
• Support research focused on deep-sea coral communities, chemosynthetic environments, and other deep benthic habitats.
• Analyze and synthesize stable isotope data and other ecological datasets to characterize food-web structure, energy flow, and trophic relationships.
• Develop and apply statistical modeling approaches to evaluate environmental drivers affecting deep-sea food webs and benthic community ecology.
• Use R, RStudio, and other approved programming tools to manage, analyze, visualize, and interpret research data.
• Develop and maintain organized, quality-controlled datasets using project-specific Microsoft Access databases and other approved data-management systems.
• Perform data quality assurance and quality control activities before analysis, including validation, documentation, error review, and finalization of project data.
• Integrate multiple data formats and scales into efficient analytical and modeling environments.
• Use Geographic Information System tools, including QGIS, to produce maps, spatial metadata, and visualizations that support research findings.
• Develop clear scientific graphics, data visualizations, model‑output summaries, and other products for reports, presentations, publications, and decision-makers.
• Prepare intermediate and final research summaries, technical reports, data files, graphics, and supporting documentation according to project schedules.
• Lead and contribute to peer‑reviewed journal manuscripts, including serving as lead author when assigned.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students in research methods, data management, stable isotope ecology, modeling, scientific writing, and related technical subjects.
• Train and mentor team members on technical processes, analytical approaches, data visualization, and quality‑control practices.
• Coordinate data acquisition, management, analysis, and reporting activities with personnel, project partners, and other stakeholders.
• Maintain complete and organized project records, analytical scripts, metadata, data files, quality‑control documentation, and research‑product files.
• Meet assigned project milestones, including completion of data QA/QC, data visualizations, model‑output summaries, reports, and final deliverables.
• Follow all safety procedures, standard operating procedures, information‑security requirements, property‑protection requirements, and facility‑security requirements.
• Work safely in laboratory, office, field, and shipboard environments.
• Travel periodically to support field activities, ocean research cruises, project meetings, workshops, professional conferences, and other authorized program needs.
• Maintain eligibility to operate government vehicles when required for approved work activities, including providing required liability insurance.
• Perform other job‑related duties as assigned.

Experience, Education, Skills, and Abilities Requested:

• Master's degree in biological sciences, environmental sciences, marine sciences, ecology, or a closely related discipline required.
• At least seven years of direct, relevant professional experience in biological, environmental, marine, or ecological science required.
• Demonstrated experience in stable isotope ecology, stable isotope data analysis, and food‑web research required.
• Experience designing, conducting, and synthesizing ecological field studies, laboratory studies, or controlled experiments required.
• Experience conducting research involving deep-sea organisms, cold‑water corals, benthic communities, or comparable marine ecosystems preferred.
• Demonstrated experience developing and applying statistical models to ecological datasets required.
• Experience integrating data from multiple formats, sources, scales, and study types into a structured modeling or analytical environment required.
• Proficiency using R and RStudio for data management, statistical analysis, modeling, visualization, and reproducible research workflows preferred.
• Experience using Microsoft Access or comparable research database tools preferred.
• Experience using Geographic Information Systems, including QGIS or comparable platforms, to develop maps, spatial data products, and metadata preferred.
• Ability to produce accurate scientific graphics, visualizations, and model‑output summaries for technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage research data, conduct data quality assurance and quality control, and maintain complete supporting documentation.
• Ability to conduct technical analyses supporting larger food‑web investigations involving deep‑sea coral, chemosynthetic, and other benthic habitats.
• Experience writing peer‑reviewed publications, technical reports, scientific presentations, or other formal research products required.
• Record of peer‑reviewed publications focused on food webs, marine ecology, stable isotope ecology, or related research preferred.
• Experience serving as a lead author on scientific manuscripts preferred.
• Knowledge of Bayesian modeling approaches preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate data acquisition, analysis, and reporting activities across research teams.
• Ability to mentor students and train team members on technical research topics, analytical methods, data‑management practices, and scientific communication.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, exercise sound judgment, and meet scheduled deliverable dates.
• Strong commitment to scientific integrity, data quality, reproducible analysis, and timely delivery of research products.
• Ability to meet the physical and safety requirements of laboratory, field, and shipboard research.
• Ability to lift sediment‑filled cores and other field equipment, work for extended periods at a microscope or computer workstation, and perform prolonged sitting, standing, stooping, bending, and other physical activities associated with field and laboratory research.
• Ability to participate in ocean research cruises and safely perform shipboard activities during extended periods at sea.
• Ability to successfully complete a federal background investigation and maintain required access credentials.

Company Information:

Cherokee Federal is a trusted team of government contracting professionals who rapidly build innovative and advanced solutions across environmental science, immigration, national security and intelligence, cybersecurity, health care, and logistics. Cherokee Federal is owned by Cherokee Nation Businesses, and 100% of profits support Cherokee Nation citizens through health care, education, and job creation. To learn more, visit cherokee‑federal.com.

#CherokeeFederal #LI‑DH1

Cherokee Federal is a military‑friendly employer. Veterans and active military members transitioning to civilian careers are encouraged to apply.

5 Keywords:

• Stable Isotope Ecology
• Deep‑Sea Food Webs
• Benthic Ecology
• Ecological Modeling
• Marine Research

5 Similar Job Titles:

• Marine Ecologist
• Deep‑Sea Research Scientist
• Stable Isotope Scientist
• Benthic Ecologist
• Food‑Web Modeler

Legal Disclaimer:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Many of our job openings require access to government buildings or military installations.