Title: Research Assistant III or IV Department: Avian Ecology Classification: Exempt (Ineligible for Overtime) Supervisor: Program Director, Sahas Barve

Summary/Objective

The Avian Ecology Program at Archbold Biological Station is seeking a Research Assistant, reporting to Dr. Sahas Barve, Program Director of Avian Ecology, to begin July 2026. This role manages the day-to-day of the long-term demography research on the federally Threatened Florida Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens, FLSJ) at Archbold Biological Station and the surrounding Lake Wales Ridge landscape in South-Central Florida, and, therefore, has significant Project Management and Public Engagement duties within the Avian Ecology Program.

This is a leadership role responsible for ensuring the feasibility and completion of all field work. Away from the field, this role will take part in advancing impactful conservation research through scientific writing and continuing innovative public education and outreach. They will be expected to be an engaged citizen of the Archbold community and collaborate with other research programs as needed.

The ideal candidate will have conducted at least four seasons of relevant field work and have significant bird banding experience, as well as project management and mentoring experience. The candidate will have the ability to work independently as well as a field-team leader. The candidate is expected to have a deep interest in birds, conservation biology, ecology and evolution, natural history, and active research. The candidate should also have an interest in conducting their own independent research during their tenure.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Schedule and manage fieldwork across all Program staff to ensure all tasks required for the long-term project are seamlessly executed.

Collaborate with Program Director and other Program Research Assistants to complete all offsite-contract deliverables (e.g. surveying, mapping, and banding FLSJ populations on State and Federal lands outside of Archbold and writing technical summary reports).

Lead Program staff hiring as and when required. Hiring includes editing and posting position descriptions, reviewing applications, scheduling and conducting interviews, and doing reference calls. There is at least one hiring cycle (interns) every year.

Train and supervise Program Interns and Research Assistants in all field work techniques.

Co-mentor Program Interns alongside Program Director.

Monitor all streams of data entry by every Program staff to ensure data accuracy and quality on a daily or weekly basis.

Manage and QAQC databases for all projects at the end of each field-season.

Databases at Archbold are maintained in Microsoft Access. Knowledge of this software is preferred.

Fieldwork will include, but is not limited to conducting monthly censuses of FLSJs by re-sighting color-banded individuals; habituating FLSJs for subsequent trapping; banding; collecting, processing and storing blood samples from nestling, juvenile, and adult FLSJs; finding and monitoring nests; mapping territories; conducting annual acorn surveys; operating ATVs and 4WD trucks.

Maintain an inventory of field equipment and research supplies and conduct purchases as needed.

Pool data for and from collaborators and sub-permittees

Maintain and recruit as needed, volunteers for both off-site and on-site field work.

Perform education and outreach about FLSJ biology and research through Archbold summer camps, public presentations, invited talks, conferences, birding festivals etc.

Conduct independent research including data collection, analysis, manuscript preparation, and conference presentations as relevant

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work/Benefits

This is a full-time position - 40 hours per week – requiring lab and field work

Base pay starting at $23.00 per hour – pay is commensurate with experience

Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Life Insurance, Paid Time-off, Sick Leave, and Paid Holidays

Travel/Housing

Station vehicles will be provided for all research activities.

Housing not provided

Work Environment

A work computer, monitors and desk space will be provided for all office work.

Will regularly navigate and work alone in the field with a map. Must be able to use compass and GPS. GPS is not always available, and the ability to read paper maps is required.

Will require experience safely operating an ATV and 4WD truck in all terrains including muddy holes, wetlands and loose/soft sand.

Tolerance for biting insects, early mornings, and extreme heat/humidity and rain.

Will work some weekends during FLSJ breeding season (March-June).

Physical Demands

The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; lift, push and pull items up to 50 pounds; climb stairs; stoop, bend, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear. Will travel uneven surfaces for long periods of time by foot, ATV, or truck. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus and use binoculars. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent level of scientific experience

Valid driver’s license

Operate an ATV and 4WD truck in all terrains including muddy holes, wetlands and loose/soft sand.

Find nests using behavior, particularly the nests of open cup nesters

Watch, record, and interpret bird behavior

Band nestlings and adults of medium sized passerine and near-passerine birds

Ability to read paper maps and operate manual compasses

Experience and willingness to be alone in the field and make decisions independently

Management experience for a project with a significant field and research component

Mentoring and training experience

Attention to detail and a penchant for organization and coordination

Communicating science to the public

Tolerance for biting insects, early mornings, and extreme heat/humidity and rain

Motivation and enthusiasm for working at a rural field-station

Effective and responsive communication with supervisors, coworkers, and collaborators

Competencies and Additional Eligibility Qualifications

An understanding of and commitment to the Archbold mission

Candidate expected for a minimum tenure of 3-5 years

US citizenship or a permission to work legally in the US is required

Acknowledgment

This information is not designed to be a complete inventory of the job duties, responsibilities, and qualifications. Rather, it’s designed to give the general nature and level of work to be performed by an employee assigned to this job title. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

To apply, upload the following in a single pdf titled with your surname:

Curriculum Vitae - (CV)

A single-page cover letter outlining how your previous experiences and interests are relevant to the job responsibilities and qualifications listed above. Be sure to mention your research interests and describe how this position aligns with your personal experiences and goals.

The names and contact information of three references

For questions, please contact Tori Bakley (avianecol@archbold-station.org). We will start reviewing applications after the deadline on April 26th, 2026 for a June 29th, 2026 start date.