Staff Scientist, Terrestrial Ecology & Climate Change

We seek a permanent, full-time ecologist with expertise in northeastern forest and/or alpine ecosystems and a focus on climate change science or impacts. Suitable candidates will develop a research portfolio with a focus on forest ecology, landscape ecology, alpine communities, soil science, or a combination of these. AMC’s Research Team, in cooperation with our Maine forestry team and academic and NGO partners around the region, maintains permanent alpine phenology plots, forest inventory sites, and climate sensors across the region, engages in long-term monitoring of lakes and streams, and conducts applied research focused on climate change, habitat connectivity, mountain and alpine ecology, pressures of energy infrastructure siting, and forest conservation and silviculture. This position is expected to focus on our priority theme, climate change and natural resource protection in the mountains and forests of the Northeast, with latitude to develop a research program in one or more specific areas that address this theme. We seek an accomplished scientist with a track record of peer-reviewed publications and funded research in ecosystem science or climate change, a strong interest in field science, and data harmonization and synthesis, to take advantage of our decades of monitoring data and partners’ data resources.  

AMC’s Research Team includes full-time staff and term positions (research fellow, interns) that conduct scientific research, monitoring, and assessment in a range of areas relevant to AMC’s mission, including mountain ecology, climate change, air and water quality, community science, and GIS-based landscape assessments. Research staff also support other AMC staff and departments in multiple ways including providing scientific guidance to the development of AMC public policy positions, supporting facilities and trail management, and developing cartographic products and educational materials.  

While nominally based at AMC’s Pinkham Notch Visitor’s Center in New Hampshire, the incumbent will occasionally need to travel to other AMC facilities and locations, which span from Virginia to Maine, and work in the backcountry. 

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING AT AMC  

The terrestrial ecologist will provide a wide range of support services including but not limited to: 

• Field data collection 
• Management of large datasets 
• Statistical and GIS analysis 
• Training and supporting seasonal interns and community science volunteers 
• Maintaining and deploying field data collection equipment 
• Assisting in the development of research publications and public educational materials 
• Providing expertise on threats and impacts to ecological resources and presenting research results in both formal and informal settings.  
• Communicating with policymakers in state and federal roles 
• Assessing the scientific basis for policy decisions.  

• Ph.D. in a natural resource-related field, plus two or more years of academic, NGO, or agency experience preferred. 
• Record of peer-reviewed publications and successful research proposals in the field. 
• General knowledge of northeastern ecology. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. 
• Strong quantitative and analytic skills. 
• Knowledge of R or other statistical analysis software. 
• Experience in working with large data sets. 
• Experience in field data and sample collection. 
• Valid driver’s license and personal vehicle (mileage reimbursement provided). 
• Experience and comfort with backcountry navigation and working in remote field settings. 
• Supervisory experience (e.g., supervision of interns, assistants, students) 
• Ability to work constructively with other AMC staff, volunteers, and partners. 
• Passion for conservation of the outdoors and commitment to AMC’s mission.