RESEARCH LANDSCAPE ECOLOGIST, GS-0408-12/13

The scientist is a research landscape ecologist at the Northern Research Station (NRS) Research Work Unit NRS-06, Climate, Fire, and Carbon Cycle Sciences, stationed at the Forestry Sciences Laboratory, Delaware, Ohio. The work unit’s research falls into three main topic areas: climate change research, fire research, and carbon cycle research. As a unit we embrace and value diverse perspectives that reflect our broad array of talented scientists that make up our supportive community. The scientist focuses on research in the areas of climate vulnerability and adaptation and is integral to the Landscape Change Research Group within the unit. This group is responsible for the research, development, and delivery of the nationally and internationally recognized Climate Change Atlas, which documents the current and possible future distribution of 125+ tree species and 140+ bird species in the Eastern United States under climate change emission scenarios. The group also works closely with colleagues in the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science (NIACS), providing research products relevant to management and fostered through the adaptation coordinators of NIACS.

The research scientist takes a landscape approach to characterizing ecological processes and stresses, as well as ecosystem management practices and anthropogenic perturbations. This broad-scale characterization is applied at multiple temporal and spatial scales using a variety of techniques to elucidate and model complex systems. Together, these techniques address how a changing climate may affect forest ecosystems, with cascading effects on wildlife populations. Working across scales helps reveal how landscape patterns influence ecological processes and species diversity, producing results that are directly relevant to existing and proposed management practices. 

This position is permanent, full-time, and is eligible for flexible work arrangements, but it is not a virtual position.  Government housing is not available.