Research Scientist

Purpose:

This position requires a highly motivated and creative individual to capable of working in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary natural resources research lab. The primary purpose of this position is to assist the PI (Principal Investigator) in coordinating and facilitating activities about several grant-funded projects. Significant activities include hosting workshops, conferences, student exchange visits, summer camps, and other outreach activities.

Essential Job Functions:

Demonstrated expertise in geospatial data mining and machine learning applications related to agriculture or forestry, numerical computing languages, open source (Python, R) coding, and strong knowledge of statistical analyses.

Primary job responsibilities include project planning, training, and mentoring students and staff and interacting with community members during programming. This position requires the applicant to have a valid driver's license and be able to transport other employees and students in a Lincoln University vehicle.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Plan, manage, and conduct project activities for the Forestry and Natural Resources Management Laboratory, including NASA-funded research and youth STEM education.
• Collect, analyze, and prepare data for detailed reports and presentations.
• Help write and edit grant proposals, project budgets, and reports to secure additional external funding.
• Organize and lead extension events, including the Forest Farming Workshops.
• Maintained laboratory facilities, ordered project supplies, and assisted in managing budgets.
• Supervise graduate and undergraduate students during project work activities.
• Ensure all safety guidelines are followed in both the laboratory and fieldwork areas.
• Engage with community members, students, farmers, and fellow researchers to build new working relationships.
• Collaborate with fellow LU employees, outside researchers, and community stakeholders to achieve research objectives.
• Communicate research findings at prominent conferences throughout the United States.
• Develop and disseminate LU guides and factsheets.

Qualifications:

• MS/PhD degree in earth system science, physical geography, environmental science, or other relevant fields. The degree must have been received within the past five years.
• Strong background in remote sensing, and image processing to analyze land cover, vegetation, and environmental parameters.
• Good computer skills, including solid competency with excel spreadsheet, PowerPoint presentation, word processing, etc.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Personal Characteristics:

• Demonstrated written and oral communication skills.
• Assistance with outreach efforts such as field days and workshops are expected.
• In-state travel for research and outreach programs may be required.

Physical Demands:

• Prolonged periods of working remotely in an office environment.
• Must be able to lift and move up to 50 lbs.
• Must be able to work in cold and hot environmental conditions

This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of Lincoln University. Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility.

All grant-funded positions are contingent upon receipt of funding specifically for that purpose. Note that grant funding positions terminate upon:

• completion of the term of the grant
• early termination of the grant by Lincoln University or the funding agency
• exhaustion of the available funding for the position provided for under that grant, whichever occurs first.

This is a 12-month fixed term position, effective from the date of employment. Renewal on an annual basis is contingent upon job performance and funding availability.

Current Openings for Research Scientist Jobs at Lincoln University of Missouri