Associate Wildlife Research Biologist

Summary: The mission of the Biodiversity Research Institute is to assess emerging threats to wildlife and ecosystems through collaborative research, and to use scientific findings to advance environmental awareness and inform decision-makers. The Associate Biologist position will support these goals via assistance to multiple projects. This position will primarily assist the Center for Research on Offshore Wind and Wildlife and the Center for Conservation and Climate Change with field work, animal identification, and data management. Field work will likely include bird surveys (terrestrial and marine), bird capture (terrestrial and marine), and field data collection and equipment management. Field work locations will include Maine and other locations in the northeastern United States, as well as other regions of the U.S. and other countries as needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: the Associate Biologist is responsible for:

• Leading observation and identification of wildlife in photographic imagery and standardized field surveys (mostly birds, including shorebirds, seabirds, and passerines, but also including marine mammals, sea turtles, and fishes);
• Conducting and supporting field work for a variety of programs and projects including bird surveys (terrestrial, freshwater, or at sea), habitat assessment, migration banding, studies involving bird capture, sampling, and tracking, and acoustic data analysis; and
• Assisting with data entry, data management, and data analysis in Microsoft Access, program R, and/or ArcGIS;
• Assisting with report writing, development of posters and presentations, website updates, and scientific manuscripts;
• All other duties as directed or assigned.

The above duties require the abilities to work well independently as well as in a small group; carry 50 lbs.; walk for several miles per day in potentially rugged terrain; have a valid U.S driver’s license; and work a flexible schedule, including occasional weekend work or overnight travel.

Qualifications: Successful candidates will have a bachelor’s or M.S. and will have a useful working knowledge of field techniques and data analysis and management tools. A successful applicant will have demonstrated ability to:

• Identify bird and other wildlife species in a variety of field settings and media, ideally including a wide range of avian taxa,
• Have strong organizational and data management skills,
• Have knowledge of various ornithological field techniques,
• Have solid science writing skills, and
• Handle difficult conditions (field or otherwise) with composure and enthusiasm

In the application, please note specific experience/skills with the following (including geographic regions to which each experience is most relevant): point counts, passerine and raptor migration banding, at-sea surveys, target netting and sampling, identification of bird calls in acoustic data, identification of birds from photographic imagery.

Hours/Schedule: This is a full-time (40 hours/week), salaried, one-year position with possibility for extension. Expected start date is flexible, but target is early to mid-spring 2023. Position is based at the Canco Road, BRI office in Portland, ME, but some flexibility for remote work is possible depending on proximity to field work and other considerations. Travel for field work and other responsibilities is expected.

Compensation: Commensurate with education and experience; $800/week. Lodging and per diem are provided during overnight travel to locations outside the greater Portland area. BRI offers a fully paid employee health insurance premium, plus optional dependent coverage, dental, LTD and life insurance, 401k with match, and generous paid PTO and holidays. Costs associated with work travel are reimbursed. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

To Apply: Please send a cover letter, general resume, field work resume(s), and 2-3 references (all in one document) to jobs@briwildlife.org using the subject line: Associate Wildlife Research Biologist. In addition to general experience, the application should include a banding resume and other resumes for specific skills sets as applicable (see “Qualifications,” above). Applications will be reviewed as they are received.