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: 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.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a unit within Cornell-CALS and is a world-leading center for research and education focused on birds and nature. The Cornell Lab’s mission is “to interpret and conserve the earth's biological diversity through research, education, and participatory science focused on birds.” One of six centers at the Lab, the Center for Engagement in Science & Nature engages the public by gathering biological information at large spatial scales while creating dynamic educational content and web applications through which the public can better understand the natural world. The Cornell Lab is widely viewed as a global leader in the field of public engagement, and in particular, participatory science, managing exemplary projects while pursuing methodological innovation for moving the field forward. Two large-scale participatory science projects are housed within the Center:  NestWatch (nestwatch.org) has been gathering data on reproductive success in birds since the 1960s (>860,000 nest records), and FeederWatch (feederwatch.org) engages > 30,000 people annually in collecting protocol-driven data on bird abundance and distribution (millions of records across the U.S. and Canada since 1989). 

Position Function

The Lab’s Center for Engagement in Science & Nature seeks a creative, collaborative scientist with experience in analyzing and publishing with “big data.” The successful candidate will contribute to cross-disciplinary research utilizing the Cornell Lab’s extensive biological data sets. The position provides the opportunity for collaboration with the global scientific community, as well as opportunities to engage a talented pool of students from Cornell University. 

Specifically, the research focuses on avian reproductive ecology (NestWatch dataset, nestwatch.org) and distribution and abundance (Project FeederWatch, feederwatch.org), with considerable freedom to pursue additional research interests aligned with the Center’s goals. Primary collaborators include the research team in the Center for Engagement in Science & Nature, additional researchers across Centers at the Lab of Ornithology including an extensive network of postdoctoral scholars (~25), researchers at Cornell University, and researchers external to the University. An essential job function is interfacing with the broader research community to publish findings and ensure that the Lab’s data resources are used to their full potential.

While this position focuses on ecological research questions, the Center is heavily engaged in social science research focused on the practice of engaging the public in participatory science. Engaging in social-ecological research and collaboration with interdisciplinary research teams is key to success in this position. Key collaborators within the Center include Dr. David Bonter (co-Director), Dr. Tina Phillips (Assistant Director, social scientist), Dr. Olivia Sanderfoot (Leader, Project FeederWatch), Robyn Bailey (leader, NestWatch), and Kim Savides (ecological research assistant).

Many opportunities also exist to mentor and engage Cornell undergraduate students in publishable research.

Anticipated Division of Time:

Research (65%). Conduct and publish scientific research utilizing the Center’s and the Lab’s open access, big data resources, focusing on ecological research questions. Contribute and collaborate with researchers internal and external to Cornell to ensure publication of high-quality research in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Develop analytical approaches and R packages promoting best practices in analysis of the Lab’s data sets. Serve as a key point of contact for the members of the global research community who are interested in our platforms and data resources. Collaborate with the social science research team on research focused on the human dimensions of the Center’s work. Baseline expectations for research productivity are two first-authored papers per year in strong journals, plus additional co-authorships resulting from collaborations and mentoring. Attendance and presentation of research and workshops at relevant scientific conferences is expected (2-3 / year). 

Mentoring (15%). Independently and in collaboration with the Center’s co-Director, mentor Cornell University undergraduate students in conducting research leading to senior theses and peer-reviewed publications with the students as lead authors. Identify projects amenable to student training and success. While much of the work should focus on utilizing the Lab’s existing data resources, developing additional projects in ecology and ornithology is encouraged. 

Funding activities (10%). Partner with Lab and external collaborators to seek grants (Cornell, state, federal or foundation) to support research initiatives. Work with the Cornell Lab’s Advancement team to engage and steward our extensive and generous donor network.

Outreach and Extension (10%). Work with the Center’s project teams and the Cornell Lab communications staff to disseminate findings to public audiences through the Lab’s online and print communication channels. Other ad hoc duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements:

PhD in a relevant field (e.g., ecology, biology, data science, natural resources, behavioral ecology) with extensive knowledge of research and literature in avian ecology. Strong record of publishing scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals. Proven success in mentoring undergraduate research. Mastery of R, strong documentation skills, and willingness to collaborate in the GitHub ecosystem are required.  

Salary: 

Commensurate with experience. Hiring range for this title is $80,000 - $82,000.

Appointment: This is a full-time, 1-year term, with possibility of renewal up to 3 years pending funding, available work and successful performance.

Supervision: 

Primary supervisor is Dr. David Bonter, co-Director of the Center for Engagement in Science & Nature, Cornell Lab.

Supervision Exercised:

Supervision of undergraduate student employees and research students for projects leading to senior theses and peer-reviewed publications.

Location: 

In-person work based at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York is required to facilitate collaborative research across the team and to effectively recruit and mentor student researchers. Hybrid flexibility will be considered (e.g., in the office 3-4 days/week, and/or flexibility in work location within NYS for 1-2 months/year). 

To apply: 

Please apply via Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/31619

Qualified candidates should submit a 1-page cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references via the website. 

Applications will be reviewed starting March 9, 2026, continuing until a suitable applicant is identified.