Research Associate l, ll, & lll

Position Title Research Associate I, II, III – Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries

Status Full Time

Job Summary

Tuskegee University invites applications for a Research Associate I, II, III – Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries. This full-time position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to innovative, interdisciplinary research in sustainable natural resource management, environmental monitoring, forestry, wildlife ecology, and fisheries science.

The successful candidate will work collaboratively with faculty, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and external partners to design, implement, analyze, and communicate research that advances ecological understanding and supports science-based conservation and resource management.

Essential Job Duties

• Design, coordinate, and conduct field and laboratory research in forestry, wildlife ecology, fisheries, natural resources, and environmental monitoring, including developing research protocols, implementing sampling strategies, collecting and analyzing ecological data, and interpreting research findings.
• Apply statistical, geospatial, and quantitative analytical methods to evaluate habitat conditions, population dynamics, watershed processes, ecosystem health, and other natural resource management issues.
• Collaborate with principal investigators, faculty, postdoctoral researchers, students, and interdisciplinary partners to develop, implement, and manage research projects while ensuring timely completion of project objectives and deliverables.
• Maintain long-term research databases, laboratory and field records, and data quality through standardized documentation, metadata management, and quality assurance procedures.
• Manage laboratory and field operations, including maintaining equipment, coordinating laboratory resources, managing inventories, procuring supplies, and ensuring compliance with laboratory, field, biosafety, wildlife-handling, and environmental-safety regulations.
• Supervise, mentor, and train graduate and undergraduate students, interns, and laboratory personnel while assisting with the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and fostering a collaborative research environment.
• Assist with preparing competitive grant proposals, funding applications, technical reports, progress reports, scientific manuscripts, and other research-related publications and communications.
• Present research findings at scientific conferences, workshops, seminars, stakeholder meetings, and other professional venues.
• Review and synthesize scientific literature to support ongoing research initiatives and identify emerging opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and external funding.

Qualifications (Education, Experience and Specialized Training)

• Wildlife camera trapping
• Telemetry
• Vegetation surveys
• Forest inventory methods
• Aquatic ecology and fisheries sampling
• Water quality monitoring
• Habitat assessment
• Remote sensing and GIS
• Scientific publishing
• Grant proposal development
• Student mentoring and supervision

Physical Demands

• Conduct field research in varying environmental conditions.
• Operate standard laboratory and field equipment.
• Walk extended distances over uneven terrain.
• Lift and carry research equipment and field supplies.

Skills and Attributes

• Knowledge of ecological research methods, environmental monitoring, and field and laboratory safety protocols.
• Proficiency in forestry, wildlife, fisheries, and aquatic sampling techniques, habitat assessments, and ecosystem monitoring.
• Experience using statistical, geospatial, and analytical software, including R, Python, ArcGIS, QGIS, and remote sensing platforms.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail and research integrity.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to prepare scientific reports, publications, grant proposals, and presentations.
• Ability to manage multiple research projects, prioritize competing deadlines, and maintain accurate research records and datasets.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within multidisciplinary research teams.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and supervise undergraduate and graduate students, interns, and laboratory personnel.
• Commitment to maintaining laboratory, field, and regulatory compliance while promoting safe research practices.
• Experience with grant writing, proposal development, and collaborative research is highly desirable.