Research Associate II - Ecological Analyst

The Research Associate II - Ecological Analyst position at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO, involves supporting research on virtual fencing technology, invasive species mapping, and erosion impacts. The role requires a Master's degree or a Bachelor's with relevant experience, proficiency in R and ArcGIS, and offers mentorship opportunities. The position qualifies for hybrid/in-office work, with a salary range of $55,000 - $60,000.
Position Location

Fort Collins, CO

Work Location

Position qualifies for hybrid/in-office work

Research Professional Position

Yes

Posting Number

202500479AP

Position Type

Admin Professional/ Research Professional

Classification Title

Research Associate II

Number of Vacancies

1

Work Hours/Week

30

Proposed Annual Salary Range

55,000 - 60,000

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
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Desired Start Date

Position End Date (if temporary)

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on

04/13/2025

Description of Work Unit

The NREL is a research and teaching unit at Colorado State University with a mission “to ensure the sustainability of the Earth’s ecosystems through the generation and application of new knowledge.” The department’s interdisciplinary, ecosystem research promotes collaborations among disciplines and across fields of expertise at CSU and throughout the world. As a soft-money research unit, this role is critical to ensure adequate funding to sustain its vital role in the research community both locally and across the globe.

Position Summary

This position will support ongoing research efforts to understand the use of virtual fencing technology on livestock moment and rangeland conditions, explore advanced techniques for mapping invasive species, investigate erosion impacts of modern logging practices, and other ecological projects to be determined. This position will conduct technical spatial and non-spatial analyses to support numerous ongoing projects with The Nature Conservancy, private landowners, state agencies, and partner universities that involve ecosystems across Colorado and the western United Stated. In collaboration with team members, the position will organize relevant data, prepare data for analysis and perform applicable analyses using R statistical programming language and various geographic information systems such as ArcGIS. The individual will document methods and results and communicate these to team members and stakeholders. The individual may also provide mentorship to young professionals and student programs associated with the laboratory.

Required Job Qualifications
• Master’s degree in Ecology, Rangeland Ecology, Ecosystem Science, or related field

OR Bachelor’s degree in one of these fields plus at least three years applicable working experience
• Demonstrated experience with virtual fencing technology and summarizing associated spatial data
• Experience summarizing rangeland field data such as point-line-intercept in R

Preferred Job Qualifications
• Experience with the NASA DEVELOP program
• Proficient with ArcGIS
• Demonstrated experience in technical writing and manuscript production.
• Understanding and use of remote sensing data from publicly available sensors such as Landsat and Sentinel-2 to perform analyses

Essential Duties

Job Duty Category

Technical Analysis

Duty/Responsibility

Develop, test, and execute R scripts to perform analysis related to virtual fence technology and other lab associated projects. Use geographic information systems to access, manipulate, analyze and visualize remote sensing and field data and associated results.

Percentage Of Time

70

Job Duty Category

Report and Publication Development

Duty/Responsibility

Support or lead the creation of technical reports for stakeholders and sponsors. Assist with the development of peer-reviewed scientific publications and proposals including writing and figure generation.

Percentage Of Time

25

Job Duty Category

Mentoring

Duty/Responsibility

Mentor teams of early career professionals and students working on research projects and advise them on technical approaches as well as career goals and science communication.

Percentage Of Time

5

Application Details

Special Instructions to Applicants

Interested applicants must submit a cover letter which addresses how professional experiences align with identified required and preferred qualifications of the position, a current resume, and the names, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of three (3) professional references. CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.
References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Conditions of Employment

Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License

Search Contact

nicholas.young@colostate.edu

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.