Applied Biodiversity Science Lead

Job Summary

Working within the Partnerships for Applied Research Centre (PARC) and the Wildlife Science Centre (WSC) at Biodiversity Pathways, and in partnership with the Okanagan Institute for Biodiversity, Resilience, and Ecosystem Services (BRAES) at UBC Okanagan, the Applied Biodiversity Science Lead contributes scientific and technical leadership to collaborative biodiversity monitoring and applied research initiatives. This position bridges rigorous ecological science with community partnership, supporting programs that span Indigenous community-based monitoring, wildlife data collection and analysis, and field-based biodiversity research. The role requires good quantitative and data management skills alongside the interpersonal ability to work effectively with a range of partners including Indigenous communities, government agencies, and academic collaborators.

Organizational Status
The Applied Biodiversity Science Lead will be hosted within the Okanagan Institute for Biodiversity, Resilience, and Ecosystem Services (BRAES) at UBC Okanagan, and reports to the Director, Partnerships for Applied Research Centre (PARC) at Biodiversity Pathways. The position works closely with the Applied Wildlife Science and Monitoring Lead within the Wildlife Science Centre (WSC) and collaborates across BP program areas and with external partners.

Work Performed
Applied Science and Field Programs

• Leads and supports the delivery of applied wildlife monitoring and biodiversity research projects, contributing to study design, protocol development, data collection, and reporting.
• Provides expertise in wildlife ecology and biodiversity monitoring techniques, such as camera traps, wildlife surveys and collars.
• Contributes to literature reviews and synthesis of ecological knowledge to inform project design and adaptive management.
• Supports logistical planning and field delivery, including protocol development, site selection, training, and data upload and checking.
• Prepares technical reports, project summaries, and scientific manuscripts for technical and non-technical audiences.

Data Management and Analysis

• Designs, builds, and maintains reproducible data pipelines for wildlife monitoring, telemetry, and community-collected biodiversity datasets, applying rigorous quality assurance and quality control throughout.
• Conducts statistical analyses using R and/or Python; develops and documents repeatable analytical workflows.
• Works with GIS platforms (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS) to support spatial analysis, mapping, and habitat modelling.
• Manages structured ecological databases and supports the development of data products and reporting outputs.
• Ensures Indigenous data sovereignty principles are respected in all data management and sharing activities.

Collaborative Program Development

• Works with Indigenous communities, government, and/or industry partners to identify information needs and co-develop biodiversity monitoring programs.
• Facilitates co-learning and knowledge-sharing with communities, including respectful engagement around Traditional Knowledge and data sovereignty.
• Fosters and maintains relationships with external project collaborators, supporting proposal writing and funding development.
• Schedules, organizes, and facilitates project meetings; tracks and follows up on action items with project teams.
• Works with the Director and external collaborators to identify funding opportunities and develops these into full grant proposals and applications.
• Participates in budget forecasting and preparation for project and program funding, including tracking multi-year budgets.

Knowledge Mobilization and Communication

• Communicates project outcomes in written and oral form to non-technical and technical audiences.
• Supports scientific publication and reporting, including organizing and interpreting results for collaborators, staff, and stakeholders.
• Accurately documents decisions, implementation actions, and project progress.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Given the external partnership aspects of this role and its community-facing responsibilities, errors in scientific judgement, data management, or communications can result in significant credibility and reputational implications for Biodiversity Pathways. Poor project management will reduce team productivity and risk deliverables being late or over budget. This position builds long-term trust with community partners; consistency, honesty, and integrity are critical. Budget decisions over $2,500 will normally involve documented consultation with the supervisor.

Supervision Received
The Applied Biodiversity Science Lead makes professional decisions and recommendations on all aspects of assigned research and monitoring work, and is accountable for the scientific quality and rigor of that work. The role also makes decisions regarding funding sources for specific projects and leads the preparation of funding and grant applications.

Supervision Given
The Applied Biodiversity Science Lead is supervised by the Director, Partnerships for Applied Research Centre (PARC) at Biodiversity Pathways, with day-to-day scientific collaboration also occurring with the Applied Wildlife Science and Monitoring Lead (WSC).

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of three years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own.
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree (M.Sc., Ph.D. is an asset) in wildlife ecology, environmental science, conservation biology, natural resource management, or a related discipline.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills; strong written and oral communication.
• Demonstrated proficiency in at least one programming language for data analysis (R and/or Python strongly preferred), including experience organizing and working with ecological or environmental datasets.
• Experience with data management, including organizing, cleaning, and quality-checking complex datasets.
• Working knowledge of GIS software (ArcGIS, QGIS, or equivalent).
• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical or scientific information clearly in written and oral form.
• Experience working with Indigenous communities, government, and/or industry partners in a collaborative research or monitoring context.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects with some independence, including tracking deliverables and coordinating with collaborators.
• Experience building reproducible analytical workflows; familiarity with version control (e.g., GitHub) or willingness to learn.
• Familiarity with wildlife monitoring methods including camera traps, wildlife surveys, telemetry, acoustic monitoring, and/or ARUs.
• Knowledge of Indigenous data sovereignty principles (e.g., OCAP®).
• Familiarity with statistical approaches used in wildlife ecology (e.g., habitat selection models, occupancy models).
• Familiarity with machine learning or remote sensing tools applied to ecological data.