"Senior Research Associate -Located at Cornell Biological Field Station Bridgeport NY"

College Description:

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: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world's complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that 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.

Department and Unit Description:

The Department of Natural Resources and the Environment is one of the pioneer departments of natural resources in the nation and known as a center for fisheries research. The Department is part of the School for Sustainable Development and the Environment and the home for the Environment and Sustainability major at Cornell University with a 30+ faculty studying and teaching both ecological and social aspects of environmental and natural resource management. The Cornell Biological Field Station (CBFS) is an internationally renowned center for fisheries and aquatic research located on the shore of Oneida Lake. The person in this position will lead the fisheries program at CBFS continuing our 70 year collaboration with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Bureau of Fisheries (NYSDEC).

Job Description:

We seek an individual with the ability to develop and lead a strong research program in fish ecology and fisheries management with funding from NYSDEC. The incumbent will conduct research on issues associated with warmwater fisheries management in New York State, with a focus on Oneida Lake. This collaboration between NYSDEC and CBFS started under Dr. John Forney and has used both traditional fisheries management tools and an ecosystem approach for 70 years. Studies on Oneida Lake have resulted in one of the best long-term data series on fish and fisheries in North America, which offers numerous opportunities for understanding fish and fisheries in a changing world.

The Sr. Research Associate will be expected to work with NYSDEC fisheries managers and with scientists at Cornell to develop and conduct research projects on Oneida Lake and potentially other fisheries across New York State and contribute to scientific-based management of New York's warmwater fisheries resources. New York State is a water-rich state with a variety of inland lakes and rivers from deep Finger Lakes to small ponds. The position requires frequent interactions with NYSDEC fisheries managers, including participation in working groups, field activities, analysis of fisheries data and technical consultation. Duties include working with the PI and CBFS Director (Lars Rudstam until July 1, 2026, Olaf Jensen thereafter) to co-lead the NYSDEC-funded warmwater fisheries research grant, being the primary contact between NYSDEC fisheries and CBFS, and supervising field and laboratory personnel working on NYSDEC-funded projects at CBFS. The incumbent is responsible for reports and white papers requested by the granting agency (NYSDEC), is expected to contribute to the peer-reviewed literature on fisheries and aquatic science, and to the development of future grant applications.

Term of position:

This is a full-time position located at the Cornell Biological Field Station by Oneida Lake in Bridgeport, NY. The initial appointment term is for one year and is renewable depending on available work, funding and satisfactory performance. Frequent travel to the Cornell Ithaca campus to participate in departmental, college and university activities, and supervise graduate students is expected.

Anticipated Division of Time:

Research 80%
Outreach/Service/ 20%

Preferred Qualifications:

Two or more years' experience supervising field and laboratory personnel.
Experience working with:

• fisheries management agencies.
• quantitative fisheries methods
• database management and/or analysis of large data sets
• various field sampling methods.
• food web ecology and modeling

Supervision Exercised

The incumbent will supervise a research group that includes research support specialists, research technicians, and undergraduate student interns. Supervision of graduate students and participation in graduate student committees are expected. Outreach activities associated with New York fisheries and service associated with CBFS administration, field classes, and the CBFS intern program are also expected.

Salary:

CALS hiring rate for this position is $90,000 - $95,000.
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Cornell offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Application Instructions:

Applications will be reviewed as received, continuing until a suitable applicant is identified.