Research Scientist 2 (Temporary)

Job description

**Job Description**

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world.

UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

**The** **Columbia Basin Research** **has an outstanding opportunity for a** **Research Scientist 2​ to join their team.**

The Research Scientist works with a small team of other scientists, database manager, and web specialist at Columbia Basin Research (CBR; www.cbr.washington.edu ).

CBR is a research center within the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, College of the Environment, University of Washington.

CBR conducts basic and applied research on the impacts of regulated river operations on the freshwater and marine survival of salmon in a changing environment.

The Research Scientist will play important roles in the development of models for managing endangered species under critical water conditions.

The Research Scientist would lead and assist with research studies that may include Salmon and Steelhead river migration, mark-recapture modeling, river temperature modeling, and open science.

These studies contribute to annual planning and real-time river operations and management by federal, state, and tribal agencies.

The studies also contribute directly to understanding ecological mechanisms that will be needed to manage rivers under changing environmental conditions.

The position offers great opportunities for professional and personal growth in a stimulating research environment on applied ecology and endangered Salmon and Steelhead.

The position is funded for 12 months with possible extension based on availability of funding.

**Key Responsibilities**

The position’s major duties and responsibilities include: 1) handling large data sets with samples sizes of more than a million tagged fishes, 2) complex analyses with models of a non-linear nature and data on changing environmental conditions, and 3) communication of study findings to support decision making and management of regulated rivers and endangered migratory fishes.

Research and Analysis (60%)

+ Leading and assisting in developing models of salmon survival, abundances, growth, and migration
+ Developing appropriate statistical algorithms for updating model parameters estimates
+ Working with database manager to organize the fish data and environmental covariates
+ Analyzing data and producing interactive graphical visualizations
+ Documenting versions of models and research in progress
+ Applying creative methods for applied research relevant to mechanistic, ecological processes; decision-making; and management of natural resources

Written Communication (30%)

+ Leading and collaborating on writing for peer-reviewed publications
+ Writing sections of technical reports in coordination with other researchers
+ Co-authoring short pieces for public audiences

Verbal Communication (10%)

+ Effectively communicating with collaborators, project sponsors, and stakeholders on research at meetings
+ Presenting research at scientific conferences
+ Creating video tutorials for greater accessibility of research and methods

**Required Qualifications**
To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and any additional requirements listed below.

**_Minimum Qualifications_**

+ Bachelor’s degree in Aquatic & Fishery Sciences, Ecology, Biometry or related field and two years of relevant experience in quantitative analysis and ecological research.

Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

**_Additional Qualifications_**

+ Working knowledge and experience with R, Stan, Nimble, or other relevant analytical software.
+ Knowledgeable of Bayesian statistical methods, numerical modeling methods, and other complex quantitative analytical methods.
+ Experience with open science practices, using GitHub or other relevant and equivalent platforms.
+ Demonstrated ability of strong written and oral communication skills.
+ Demonstrated ability to execute logical judgment and work independently.
+ Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative setting.
+ Demonstrated ability to prioritize work to complete deliverables in a timely manner.
+ Demonstrated ability to learn complex quantitative methods quickly and innovate independently and collaboratively.
+ Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain positive, ethical, and professional interpersonal relationships.

**Preferred Qualification**

+ Masters Degree in Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Ecology, Biometry, or related field, AND at least three years in related area or equivalent combination of education/experience.
+ Outstanding interpersonal skills, including team ethics and relationship-building, and critical thinking skills
+ Interest in supporting the scientific process leading to insights and understanding of natural resources and ecological processes to help with conservation, fishery management, research, and collaboration with communities.
+ Knowledge of Pacific Salmon and Steelhead ecology, which can include experience working with live aquatic animals in the laboratory or in the field.
+ Experience in project management and coordination
+ Experience or interest in modeling river temperatures or other river conditions
+ At least three years of experience in programming with a collaborative team.
+ Demonstrated ability to work with users of decision support tools to analyze and develop solutions to meet work needs.

**Compensation, Benefits and Position Details**

**Pay Range Minimum:**

$78,000.00 annual
**Pay Range Maximum:**

$85,200.00 annual
**Other Compensation:**

-
**Benefits:**

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-temporary-per-diem-and-less-than-half-time/
**Shift:**

First Shift (United States of America)
**Temporary or Regular?**

This is a temporary position
**FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):**

100.00%
**Union/Bargaining Unit:**

Not Applicable

**About the UW**

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world.

In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

**Our Commitment**

The University of Washington is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer (https://hr.uw.edu/eoaa/) .

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment.

Disclosure is required under Washington state law (https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28B.112.080) .
University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Required Skill Profession

Other General