Skip to main content

Cornell University, Lab of Ornithology

Position ID:
Cornell-Lab-BIO1121_SRRA_BOW [#23512, WDR-00034083]
Position Title: 
Senior Research Associate Avian Systematist, Birds of the World - Lab of Ornithology
Position Type:
Other
Position Location:
Ithaca, New York 14850, United States of America
Subject Areas: 
Biology
Natural Resources
Ecology
Ornithology
Evolution
Appl Deadline:
2022/11/13 11:59PMhelp popup finished (2022/10/31, finished 2023/05/25)
Position Description:
   

*** this position has been closed and new applications are no longer accepted. ***

Position Description

Senior Research Associate: Avian Systematist, Birds of the World
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Ithaca, NY

College Description:  

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. 

About Us: 

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is the world's leading resource for research, education, and citizen science focused on birds. The Lab is a vibrant unit within Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), where full-time faculty and other renowned professionals direct mission-driven programs. Staff at the Lab teach undergraduate courses, advise graduate students, collect and disseminate world-famous digital resources on biodiversity, and engage with partner organizations and citizens around the world to conduct scientific research and lead conservation actions. Many of the Lab's most extensive and broadly used data resources rely on an underlying database framework that is based on constantly updated information on avian systematics (the field that integrates phylogeny, taxonomy, and nomenclature). These internal and public resources for which expert systematics information is critical include the Macaulay Library archives, the eBird database of more than 1B records, and the Birds of the World (BOW) project that provides authoritative, up-to-date life history content and data services for every bird species (10,000+) and family (~250) in a web-based living scientific journal format.

The Lab is an inclusive community and we recognize that diverse, inclusive communities create more innovative and impactful work to address global challenges and benefit humanity and nature. The Cornell Lab is committed to fostering a healthy workplace that values diverse perspectives and backgrounds as well as supporting growth and advancement opportunities. The Lab welcomes staff who are still learning in their careers and who are motivated to take on new challenges.


Job Description:

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology seeks a scientist with academic knowledge of avian systematics and experience in scientific writing, research, formal and informal science education, and public outreach to serve as Avian Systematist. The Avian Systematist will research and synthesize systematics to maintain an up-to-date resource on avian diversity covering all birds of the world, to serve all Lab and external stakeholder applications, products, publications, and databases that are based on currently accepted avian taxonomy, nomenclature, and phylogenetics. The Avian Systematist will further oversee workflows associated with implementing taxonomy and nomenclature changes annually through the editing and production of species accounts in the Birds of the World project.

This position resides with the Lab's Birds of the World (BOW) team, although it is also closely connected to the broader groups and infrastructure through which all of the Lab's avian databases are consolidated. BOW is an online series of scholarly monographs that aims to provide authoritative and comprehensive life histories of all bird families and species. Rooted in and linked to the eBird/Clements taxonomy, this series aims to update each family and species account by leveraging the strengths of a community of scientific contributors and editors. Birds of the World produces current, living digital monographs that are available through web and mobile services for students, professionals, citizen scientists, and government agencies worldwide. 

Systematics underpins nearly all the science outputs generated at the Cornell Lab, and has significant ramifications for conservation, communication, and appreciation of birds. Keeping up with the pace of science in the domain of avian systematics requires significant effort, expert knowledge of avian systematics, and an eye toward global collaboration and cohesion.

Participating in a global community of taxonomists and generating the annual Clements/eBird taxonomic update that can be applied across all Lab projects and databases are key outputs of the Avian Systematist.

The Avian Systematist will (75%):
  • Conduct systematics research and synthesis and work to serve as a core Lab representative of a global team of systematists generating and maintaining a global consensus avian taxonomy (Working Group of Avian Checklists).
  • Research, interpret, and synthesize all relevant systematics evidence required to update and maintain the scholarly excellence of the eBird/Clements taxonomy, as well as other Lab projects informed by this taxonomy.
  • Develop and implement efficient workflows for comprehensive annual systematics literature reviews and syntheses, making associated science-informed decisions that lead to taxonomic updates in Birds of the World and other Lab projects.
  • Coordinate and manage a community of professional scientist authors and associate editors to produce and review incoming content focused on systematics.
  • Edit and evaluate revised systematics sections generated by species account contributors to ensure depth, scholarly accuracy, and research domain expertise.
  • Mentor and supervise Cornell undergraduate students who are working with BOW and/or engaged in independent research projects that advance our understanding of avian systematic relationships.
  • Direct the application of taxonomic updates throughout a suite of Cornell Lab assets (e.g., sound recordings, photos, video, maps, diagrams, etc.) that illustrate various aspects of each species’ natural history.
  • Ensure high-quality standards around taxonomy, systematics, and nomenclature, and ensure that they are reflected in Birds of the World and other Lab outputs.
  • Serve as a key academic/professional component and resource for the Lab’s Phylogeny team to ensure the taxonomy and phylogeny data products are aligned.
  • Keep abreast of and take part in current research related to this position, especially around global avian systematics.
  • Represent the Lab at professional scientific conferences, on international working groups, and in similar contexts related to avian systematics and taxonomy.
  • Work closely with and provide scientific expertise to a team of technical information specialists and software designers at the Lab who will assist in developing the infrastructure required to build taxonomy curation and management tools.

The Avian Systematist will simultaneously  engage in primary scientific research in the discipline of avian systematics (25%).

  • Conduct and/or supervise original field research on avian systematics, taxonomy, and/or phylogeny;
  • Prepare and submit manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed scientific publications;
  • Individually and in collaboration with colleagues, prepare grant proposals for external funding and serve as PI or co-PI on sponsored research projects; 
  • Engage with the Lab’s outreach programs (e.g., Communication and Marketing, Education, Multimedia Productions, Citizen Science) to communicate with segments of the general public about the taxonomy and systematics of birds and related issues of broad popular interest.

Supervision: Reports to the Biodiversity Sciences and Higher Education -- Digital Publications Lead (currently Brian Sullivan)

Supervision Exercised: supervision of 1-2 staff and supervision/mentoring of student workers.

Term of position: 

This is a full-time, 2-year appointment (January 2023 to January 2025), with extension pending renewable funding, available work, and successful performance.

Required Qualifications: 

  • PhD in biology, ecology, natural resources, or related field required
  • At least 5 years experience and strong professional background in avian systematics required, including a sustained peer-reviewed publication record in avian taxonomy, nomenclature, and/or phylogenetics.
  • Demonstrated ability to work constructively with collaborators from a broad range of backgrounds and nationalities.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills required
  • Proven experience in the development and successful execution of externally funded research.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Expert-level knowledge of bird species of the world
  • Experience in writing scientific literature on avian life history at the family and/or species level
  • Experience and good working knowledge of scholarly publishing, particularly online
  • Familiarity with and connectivity to the global community of avian systematists
  • Strong record of enhancing the performance of a team through productive collaborations

Salary or Rewards/Benefits: 

Commensurate with experience.

Cornell provides great benefits that include professional development, access to wellness programs, employee discounts with local and national retail brands, broad range of comprehensive health care options, and generous paid leave provisions:  3 weeks of vacation, 13 holidays (including end of year winter break), paid family leave, and superior retirement contributions.

Application Instructions

Interested applicants should submit a CV, letter of interest, a 1-2 page research statement, contact information for 3 references and a statement of contribution to diversity, equity, and inclusion via Academic Jobs Online at the following link: academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/23512.  Applications must be submitted by November 13, 2022.  If you have questions about this position, please email Brian Sullivan at BLS42@cornell.edu. 



Employment Assistance:

For specific questions about the position or application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or for general questions email mycareer@cornell.edu.

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at accommodations@cornell.edu.

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. 

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEO Statement:

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. 

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

Pay Ranges:

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

  • Prior relevant work or industry experience.
  • Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.
  • Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)
  • Unique applicable skills.


Application Materials Required:
Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:
  • Cover letter
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • 1-2 page Research statement
  • Statement of Contribution to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • Three references (no actual letters, just names and email addresses help popup)
And anything else requested in the position description.

Further Info:
 
159 Sapsucker Woods Road
Ithaca, New York 14850