Field Research Scientist at Natural State

We are seeking a highly motivated and talented Head of Field Research to join our team focused on revolutionising the monitoring of carbon and biodiversity, with an initial focus on African rangelands but broadening to other biomes. The Head of Field Research will work with Natural State's Head Biometrician to coordinate the successful delivery of research activities and ensure the timely achievement of the department's milestones. As a young organisation, Natural State requires employees to be flexible, quick to learn new skills, and ready to tackle evolving responsibilities and challenges.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scientific

• Manage, train, and mentor the Field Implementation and Botany teams in the implementation of their data collection and research activities to meet Natural State's goals and commitments to donors and partners.
• Work with the heads of the Biometrics, Carbon Sciences, Technical Delivery, and Lab Science teams, other NS scientists and specialists, and external partners and collaborators to design and implement state-of-the-art field research projects aimed at improving how we cost-effectively monitor biodiversity and carbon stocks.
• Work with the Head Biometrician and Head of Project Implementation to translate research projects into widely applicable tools to underpin financial mechanisms for restoration and conservation projects.
• Ensure that all field data collected are accurate, properly categorised and labelled, and in the format required by NS protocols, including designing automated Quality Control workflows.
• Contribute to the development of Natural State's ecological intactness index and other monitoring tools and services.
• Coordinate with team heads and leads to write reports to partners and donors on the activities undertaken by the Research & Monitoring department.
• Coordinate with team heads and leads to develop and optimise sampling protocols and data models for collecting field observations including writing and reviewing survey design documents, standard operating procedures, and field manuals.
• Work with other scientists to write and publish scientific articles on Natural State's work in peer reviewed publications and present scientific outputs at conferences and workshops.

 Logistical

• Coordinate with team heads and leads on the planning and logistics of research activities.
• Foster and maintain partnerships and collaborations with external stakeholders, organisations and institutions.
• Attend meetings with landowners and stakeholders to build and maintain collaborations across focal landscapes.
• Act as a point of contact for academic partners and students.
• Assist with budgeting, procurement and logistical planning of the Research & Monitoring department's work.
• Work with the Director of Research & Monitoring to manage resources and ensure timely completion of activities, documentation, and communication of funding and reporting deadlines.
• Represent the Research & Monitoring department with visiting donors, partners, and researchers.

Operational

• Assist Natural State's fundraising team in developing funding pitches and grant applications tailored to research and development projects of specific interest to the Research & Monitoring team.
• Coordinate with Natural State's Operations department to facilitate the procurement of field equipment for the Research & Monitoring department.
• Coordinate with Natural State's Operations department on permitting requirements for all fieldwork activities. This will include supporting the preparation, submission and renewal of research permits, facilitating the acquisition of export permits for biological samples and import permits for equipment whilst also ensuring that Natural State's fieldwork complies with all location-specific guidelines.

Human Resources

• Contribute to a productive, positive and inclusive culture in the team.
• Practise Natural State's core values.
• Contribute to the professional development of direct reports and their teams.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Postgraduate degree in biology, ecology, conservation or related discipline.
• 3 years of experience leading field research with exceptional organisational and planning skills.
• Fieldwork experience in African rangelands.
• Experience interpreting and analysing scientific data.
• Experience managing large data sets.
• Fluency in English and Kiswahili.
• Good writing skills.
• Proficiency in open-source data management and statistics software, such as SQL, Python, and R, and the ability to rapidly learn new software programmes. At a minimum, the Head of Field Research will need to develop basic proficiency in ODK, Markdown, Apache Superset, Earth Engine, and Data Build Tool in addition to the aforementioned programmes.