Lead Scientist/Coordinator The Roadside Ecology Center (REC) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale invites applications for a Lead Scientist/Coordinator to lead the scientific and compliance operations of the Center's biological and wetland science team. The REC is a multi-institutional applied research and environmental compliance center operating under a long-term Intergovernmental Agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation. The Center's scientists conduct field surveys, threatened and endangered species assessments, and wetland evaluations across the southern third of Illinois to support IDOT's environmental review obligations and the REC's applied research program. The Lead Scientist/Coordinator receives and triages incoming IDOT taskings, assigns projects to scientists based on expertise and capacity, oversees the quality of compliance deliverables, and manages the team's progression from field data to peer-reviewed publication. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. Examples of DutiesTriage incoming IDOT regulatory taskings: evaluate scope, urgency, and taxonomic requirements, assign projects to appropriate scientists, maintain an active project tracker, and ensure all compliance deliverables are completed accurately and on schedule. Provide direct scientific oversight of four Interdisciplinary Biologists and four Wetland Scientists and reviewing deliverables prior to IDOT submission. Manage the team's applied research pipeline in coordination with the Director; facilitate the transition of compliance data streams into peer-reviewed publications by actively participating in manuscript preparation, providing scientific review, and co-authoring papers led by staff scientists. Establish and maintain field data collection standards that support regulatory compliance while also preserving the research utility of compliance datasets. Participate in field surveys as needed to support team capacity during peak workload periods, maintain multi-taxa proficiency across the biological and wetland disciplines represented on the team, and fill coverage gaps as needed across the southern Illinois service area. Monitor team capacity and geographic coverage needs across the southern Illinois service area; communicate proactively with the Director when tasking volume or staffing constraints require prioritization decisions. Represent the scientific team at quarterly state endangered species meetings, relevant interagency forums, and annual conferences; communicate field findings to IDOT and agency partners as directed by the Director.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
PhD in ecology, wildlife biology, conservation biology, environmental science, or a closely related field 4+ years of post-degree professional experience in applied ecological field work, environmental consulting, or natural resource management, including demonstrated responsibility for leading scientific teams or managing multi-species compliance project portfolios 2+ years of direct supervisory experience managing field-based biological or environmental staff Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publication in applied ecology or conservation biology, commensurate with the university-level Associate Scientist classification Broad field competency to sufficiently evaluate work quality and provide substantive scientific guidance to specialists on both the biological and wetland teams Working knowledge of Illinois and federal regulatory frameworks applicable to environmental review, including Sections 7 and 10 of the Endangered Species Act, Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, and Illinois state incidental take provisions Strong technical writing skills, with experience authoring or reviewing compliance reports and scientific manuscripts Valid driver's license and willingness to travel regularly within southern Illinois and beyond
Preferred Qualifications:- Experience in transportation ecology, road ecology, or environmental compliance review for linear infrastructure
- Direct experience working with state or federal transportation or natural resource agencies, including IDOT, IDNR, USACE, or USFWSBackground in wildlife sampling protocols, with a particular interest in threatened and endangered species
- Background in wetland delineation and functional assessment methods or stream ecology
- Demonstrated experience mentoring scientists or graduate students toward peer-reviewed publication
- Familiarity with Illinois flora, fauna, and natural communities, particularly in the southern Illinois region
Required Documents: Please submit a letter of application, CV/Resume, Statement describing your research program in transportation and road ecology, and three references.
Contact:
Brent Pease, bprease1@siu.edu Southern Illinois University Carbondale is an R1 Opportunity University with a statewide economic impact of $2.7 billion dollars. We offer 200+ undergraduate degrees, minors and specializations, 79 master's degrees, and 40 doctoral degrees. Our main campus is 1,136 acres, with additional acreage in University Farms, Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, and other facilities. The university is an essential part of the city of Carbondale and an important contributor to the culture of the entire region. While Carbondale includes many of the amenities of urban life, it retains its small-town flavor. Cost of living is considerably lower in the region than similar areas elsewhere, and many employees commute from nearby counties. The Southern Illinois region is distinct from the rest of the state, boasting considerable natural beauty including the Shawnee National Forest, many state parks, national wildlife areas, and several lakes beloved for recreation. Local foods are readily available in the area, with a variety of eateries and a growing specialized food truck presence. The area is home to the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, an official wine appellation designation. The wineries extend the cultural reach of the community, hosting live music and continual art exhibits. The campus itself is a microcosm of the area, with a lake and forest on campus, as well as traditional collegiate architecture, quad, and residential halls. Students enjoy outdoor study areas as well as specialized computer labs scattered across campus, including in the three million volume Morris Library. To learn about employee benefits, employee tuition waivers, and find resources about Carbondale and the Southern Illinois region, visit: https://jobs.siu.edu/.Southern Illinois University Carbondale is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer dedicated to building a community of excellence, equity, and diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, genetic information, marital status, disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran. The university will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders, and regulations.
Benefits:
University employees may be eligible for a variety of State of Illinois benefits. These benefits are administered through the Illinois Department of Central Management Service (CMS). These benefits include: Health Insurance plans (HMOs, OAPs, QCHP and CDHP), Dental Insurance, Vision Plan, Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Supplemental Long Term Disability (LTD), Flex Spending Accounts, MCAP and DCAP, and 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. Eligible employees are required to participate in the State Universities Retirement System (SURS). SURS is the retirement administrator for employees in public higher education in the State of Illinois. Other benefits available to eligible employees include: Generous paid time-off, 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plans, and Employee Assistance Program. SIUC also provides extensive tuition benefits for its employees and their families such as: tuition waiver/application fee waiver for the employee and their dependents, a Legacy tuition rate for children of SIU Alumni, and Civil Service Employee Counsel (CSEC) Education Assistance Program (EAP). For more information please visit: https://hr.siu.edu/benefits/
