Research Associate in Agricultural Sciences

Research Associate

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns:

• Achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world’s complex, interlocking systems.

• Access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right.

• Ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere.

By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is the world's leading resource for conservation, 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 world-class, 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 conservation actions. Our management and staff are committed to the highest standards of ethics and excellence in all areas of our work, and our Board leadership includes faculty from Cornell and other universities, successful entrepreneurs and managers from the business and non-profit sectors, and conservation-minded citizens from the United States and beyond.

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 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 and data resources that are available through web and mobile services for students, professionals, citizen scientists, and government agencies worldwide. BOW is in the process of transforming from a text-based resource to a more data-driven one where appropriate, and avian life history data design and development will be a major focus of the program moving forward.

Position Function

This Research Associate position requires an experienced scientist who will lead our Birds of the World Data Engine team on developing a species-level ecological traits database and more broadly serve as the expert resource for the growing number of projects in our lab that use such data to test major questions about avian biology, such as the drivers of ecological change and population trends. They will thereby contribute critical data to the management and conservation of diverse wildlife populations worldwide, many of which are threatened by human activities.

In collaboration with faculty and staff leaders based at the Lab and elsewhere at Cornell and beyond, this Research Associate will:

• Design and develop a species-level traits data schema.

• Use multiple complementary approaches to populate the data (e.g., human processing, AI processing, linkages to outside data providers).

• Publish an annual versioned data product.

• Conduct and publish original research on these data focused on avian ecological traits.

The successful applicant will contribute to a vibrant, innovative, collaborative and productive research program that capitalizes on the many intellectual opportunities available at the Lab of Ornithology, which connects to and leverages the broader strengths of Cornell University.

The Research Associate is expected to:

• Promote interdisciplinary dialogue and work with other researchers to identify and define technical needs in the area of avian ecological traits.

• Support the interactive atmosphere within the Program, with other Cornell units, and with external collaborators.

• Provide oversight to a large and dynamic community of undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and visiting researchers.

To achieve these objectives, the successful applicant must have substantial previous expertise in avian ecology data, bioinformatics skills, and a strong interest in expanding analytical abilities as new techniques evolve in this fast-paced area of scientific discovery.

The applicant must also have experience supervising undergraduate workers in the laboratory and field, and in guiding independent student research projects through to successful completion. The Research Associate may have opportunities to guest lecture in undergraduate and graduate courses in ornithology, evolution, conservation, or related subjects, and to participate in other Lab endeavors that can leverage their domain knowledge and skills in avian biology.

This is a full-time, 2-year initial appointment, renewable pending available funding.

Anticipated Division of Time

• Research (60%): Conduct and publish research on avian traits, including organizing and publishing species-level traits datasets. Baseline expectations are two first- or senior-authored papers per appointment year in strong journals (e.g., Evolution, Conservation Biology) or equivalent, plus additional co-authorships. Represent the Lab at scientific conferences, seminars, workshops, and meetings.

• Outreach Activities (20%): Work with Cornell Lab and University development staff to engage philanthropic supporters, Lab members, and public audiences. Collaborate with communications staff to disseminate findings via online, print, and external media.

• Mentoring, Teaching, and Training (15%): Train and supervise individuals from varied backgrounds. Supervise undergraduate workers and mentor independent student research projects leading to senior theses and publications.

• Other (5%): Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements

Required

• PhD in avian ecology, evolutionary biology, or a related field.

• Record of regularly publishing peer-reviewed papers.

• Experience as a research mentor and/or teacher of students and colleagues.

Preferred

• Three or more years of postdoctoral-level (or equivalent) research in ecological traits.

• Strong analytical and data handling skills.

• Strong record of meeting schedules and milestones in multi-stage, collaborative projects.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple ongoing research projects.

Supervision Exercised

• Formal supervision of up to 10 undergraduate student workers annually.

• Academic supervision of 2–3 undergraduate independent study research students annually.

• Training of staff, undergraduates, graduate students, postdocs, and visiting scholars.

Pay Range

Refer to Posting Language

The hiring rate of pay will be determined considering:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience.

• Education level as relevant to the position.

• Academic discipline.

• Unique applicable skills.

Employment Assistance

For questions about the position or application process, contact the Recruiter listed in the posting or email: mycareer@cornell.edu.

For disability accommodations during the application or recruiting process, contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at (607) 255-2242 or email accommodations@cornell.edu.

Applicants without internet access may use local libraries, Departments of Labor, or request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation at Cornell’s Ithaca campus by emailing mycareer@cornell.edu.

Notice to Applicants

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as 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, including but not limited to: race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, disability, arrest/conviction record, military/veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial/marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Cornell embraces workforce diversity and seeks candidates who contribute to a supportive climate for students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit and encourage applications from historically underrepresented and marginalized identities.

Cornell engages in affirmative action for qualified protected veterans (VEVRRA) and qualified individuals with disabilities (Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act). We also recognize lawful preferences for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

Date Posted: August 25, 2025

In your application, please refer to Professorpositions.com