Research Project Manager - Military Veterans

Research Project Manager

The West Lab at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities is seeking a full-time (Researcher 4 8354RG) to work with several research projects in wildlife ecology and conservation, including those with a focus on bioacoustic monitoring. The position will be based in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology and the Research Project Manager will be supervised by Dr. Elena West.

Research in the West Lab focuses on the ecology, conservation, and management of wildlife, with an emphasis on North American birds. Current projects address how human activities shape the behavior, movement, and population dynamics of (largely) terrestrial animals and emphasize the development of innovative methods to study species of conservation concern. We use field data, bioacoustic monitoring, spatial analyses, community science data, and quantitative approaches to provide applied outcomes for pressing conservation issues.

The Research Project Manager will contribute to all components of the lab's research, with an emphasis on the Bioacoustics for Broadscale Species Monitoring and Conservation project. The successful candidate will co-lead the project's community science recruitment, training, coordination, as well as manage acoustic recording unit (ARU) inventory, lending, and data management. Responsibilities will also include sampling design, project coordination and communication with partners and volunteers, field data collection, data management/analysis, reporting to funders and external partners, preparation of manuscripts, and grant writing. This individual will also support graduate and undergraduate student researchers and research infrastructure (e.g., field vehicles, equipment, physical lab space).

Competitive candidates will ideally have diverse professional work experience including conducting research, supporting and facilitating project management processes, and relevant administrative or research experience that positions them to be able to proactively and creatively develop and coordinate programmatic workflows given initial onboarding.

Responsibilities

Develops and executes protocols and procedures for field and lab work as part of research projects (40%)

• Duties include purchasing equipment and supplies, recruiting community science volunteers, promoting the Bioacoustics project via various media outlets, assisting with the maintenance of a project website, training and supervising volunteers, students and staff, creating training material for community science volunteers (including How-to videos and workshops on ARU setup and sound file upload as well as updating procedure documents), coordination of community science volunteer communication and ARU lending (mailing ARUs and equipment to volunteers, collecting and organizing equipment once returned).

Assists with data management, analysis, and interpretation for multiple research projects (20%)

• Duties include compiling data from multiple sources into a usable and cohesive format, quality control on these data, using R to extract, analyze, share, and visualize data, Identifying and applying appropriate analytical methods in consultation with supervisor, analyzing data and interpreting results, and communicating findings via presentations and written materials.

General support of and assistance with lab group operations (15%)

• Ensuring adherence to regulatory and safety requirements for lab and field work, including obtaining necessary permits, coordinating with the University Animal Use and Care Committee, developing trainings on field/lab equipment, and ensuring that all lab members are up to date on required trainings.

Assists with preparation and publication of scientific manuscripts, included as co-author (15%)
Assists with preparation and submission of grant proposals and grants management (10%)

Pay Range: $31.25 per hour ($65,000/annually) - $33.66 per hour ($70,012.80/annually) depending on education/qualifications/experience.

This is a 2-year position with potential for extension based on performance and available funding. There are opportunities to learn more advanced skills on the job; for eligibility in the higher end of the range, demonstrated skills across the core principal duties would be expected.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in ecology, biology, environmental science, or a related field and at least 5 years of related experience with project management specific to this field OR a Master's degree and 3 years of related experience OR a combination of education and relevant experience to equal at least 9 years.
• Experience with data management and analysis (including spreadsheets, data visualization, and the statistical software R)
• Organizational and time management skills
• Care and attention to detail in field, laboratory, and computer-based research
• Demonstrated ability to clearly and effectively communicate scientific and technical concepts both verbally and in writing to diverse audiences
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Enthusiasm for science communication and engaging with diverse stakeholders, including non-academic audiences and community science volunteers
• Valid U.S. state driver's license
• Ability to work long hours outside and in inclement weather conditions
• Willingness to travel for work for several days at a time (some weekend work required)
• Ability to safely work in rugged field environments, including driving and hiking

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in ecology, biology, environmental science, or a related field
• Experience recruiting, training, and retaining citizen volunteers/community scientists and/or teaching adults or youth
• Prior experience working in bioacoustics and/or wildlife ecology
• Experience writing scientific manuscripts
• Experience preparing proposals for research funding
• Experience with field collection methods for birds, including mist nets and traps
• Prior experience working with large datasets
• Experience working with interdisciplinary teams, including academics and non-academics
• Ability to safely operate 4-wheel drive vehicles