Environmental DNA Research Scientist

Our Mission: Since the 1893 World Columbian Exposition, our organization has aimed to connect people to the natural environment and human history.

The Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago seeks a research scientist for its growing work with environmental DNA (eDNA) and ancient DNA (aDNA) to expand understanding of species diversity and relationships, as well as conservation outcomes for biodiversity. We seek PhD-level candidates demonstrating excellence in collections-based research and applied conservation employing eDNA and aDNA techniques to develop and lead the Museum s eDNA and aDNA efforts.

The Environmental DNA Research Scientist will develop externally funded eDNA research and conservation projects, contribute to surveys of remote areas, expand the Museum s collection through eDNA, provide information to conservation decision-makers to help establish effective conservation areas, and lead Museum eDNA standards of excellence and collaborations. The Research Scientist will run the Museum s clean laboratory facility. The clean lab serves a vibrant research community at a world-class research institution in biodiversity conservation and collections-based natural history research. The Research Scientist will ensure that the clean lab is at full functionality, providing user training, developing lab standards, and improving workflow procedures for eDNA collection, extraction, sequencing, analysis, and management from aquatic, air, and sediment samples, as well as ancient DNA.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic direction for eDNA research at the Museum, guiding the development of new, inclusive projects and the integration of existing projects.
• Develop and cultivate key collaborations to support the Museum s Keller Science Action Center, Negaunee Integrative Research Center, and Grainger Bioinformatics Center to effectively contribute to aDNA and eDNA research that furthers understanding and conservation of the natural world.
• Manage progress on projects and budgets, leading regular communications regarding progress and shifts to internal and external entities, and lead monitoring, evaluation, and iterative improvement of the Museum s eDNA work and clean lab.
• Build necessary funding support for eDNA research and clean lab together with Directors and Institutional Advancement.
• Develop and maintain lab protocols that guarantee research and data quality standards, as well as advance new technologies and methodologies using eDNA.
• Manage full functionality of eDNA clean lab, assisting and training users, ensuring adherence to standards of excellence in techniques, analysis, data management, and research collaborations; collaborate with IT and scientific leadership to deliver research interpretations; [manage user billing].

Qualifications:

• PhD or equivalent experience, and 5 years experience in the collection, sequencing, and bioinformatics analysis and conservation utilization of eDNA data.
• Experience managing research and conservation projects, including budget management and fundraising.
• Proficiency in operating high-throughput sequencing platforms, particularly Illumina sequencers, and familiarity with related library preparation protocols.
• Knowledge of at least one common programming language, preferably R or Python, and strong experience with eDNA bioinformatics tools, such as QIMEE and QIMEE2.
• An effective leader of fieldwork (preferably in the Amazon and Chicago regions) with experience in collecting, organizing, and managing eDNA samples and field data.
• Teaching experience, including training field teams during fieldwork collecting eDNA samples.
• Demonstrated commitment to working in multidisciplinary collaborations and teams with diverse members, including mentoring, motivating, cultivating respect, building capacity, and deepening collaborations.
• Strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills; able to structure ideas clearly and communicate them in English; additional languages are a plus.

The Field Museum is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination, embracing diversity, and fostering mutual respect. We value the unique perspectives each team member brings, which empowers our ability to innovate and overcome challenges.

At the Field Museum, we are dedicated to making our career website and recruitment process accessible to everyone. If you encounter any difficulty when using or accessing our online application, or if you need a reasonable accommodation for completing your application, participating in interviews, or any other part of the selection process, please reach out to us at [email protected].