Data Scientist, Temporary
Powdermill Field Station and Nature Reserve is Carnegie Museum of Natural History's research station and environmental education center, located approximately one hour southeast of Pittsburgh in the beautiful Laurel Highlands region. Powdermill encompasses 2200 acres where scientists conduct an array of biological research and where the public can enjoy miles of hiking trails, exhibits, and camps and classes. Carnegie Museums is interested in candidates who, through their experience and collaborations, will contribute to diversity and excellence of the Carnegie Museums community.
This is a Temporary position.
Please scroll to the bottom of this page to see information on the starting pay rate.
This is a temporary benefits eligible assignment expected to run from August 4, 2025, through August 3, 2026.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History (CMNH) seeks a Data Scientist for a one-year project at Powdermill Nature Reserve (Powdermill), its research station and environmental education center located approximately one hour southeast of Pittsburgh in the beautiful Laurel Highlands region of western Pennsylvania. Powdermill staff and visiting researchers have conducted a diverse array of research across its 2,200 acres including bird banding (64 yrs), avian point counts (12 yrs), vegetation surveys (17 yrs apart), salamander surveys (6 yrs), and aerial photogrammetry of succession of tornado blowdowns (12 yrs). Additional information about the long-term bird banding program can be found at https://powdermillarc.org/ and the vegetation surveys at https://maps.carnegiemnh.org/index.php/projects/vegetation/.
The successful candidate will play a leading role in the collection, organization, analysis, and interpretation of existing long-term data at Powdermill. Responsibilities for this position include gathering and digitizing data collected by Powdermill staff and visiting researchers, centralizing and organizing data in cross referenced databases for synthetic and cross taxa analyses, visualizing and analyzing data for exhibits online or at Powdermill’s Nature Center. Publishing results in scientific journals is desired but not required. The Data Scientist may also provide additional statistical support for other research projects undertaken by the Powdermill Research Staff and assist with current data collection as needed.
The ability to work on site at Powdermill is strongly desired; however, a competitive candidate could work remotely with regular travel to Powdermill including an initial two-week orientation to Powdermill research and datasets, and quarterly multiday meetings thereafter. The position is funded through a grant and is guaranteed for one year. If promising research and publications are developed that require additional time to complete, an extension of the position may be possible.
QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- PhD preferred.
- Master’s degree in Ecology, Conservation Biology, Ornithology, Forest Ecology, or related field required.
- Applicants must have experience with database development and management, and proficiency with Microsoft Dataverse, GIS, or R to visualize and analyze data.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Must have experience organizing, managing, visualizing, and analyzing data.
- Must be able to work well both independently and as part of a team as well as excelling in scientific communication.
- Proficiency writing scientific publications is strongly desired.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Work is primarily sedentary in nature; no special demands are required.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:
- Creation of a singular or cross reference database to allow synthetic ecological analyses across taxa, allow outside researchers to easily access data and metadata, and convey to the general public the value of long-term data. The Data Manager & Analyst will work with the Education and Exhibits Departments to create data driven web-based or physical exhibits.
- Other duties as assigned.
Expected starting pay range, based on experience, $54,000 - $60,000.
The following PA Act 153 clearances, or proof of application of clearances, are required beginning employment and as a condition of continued employment: Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check FBI Fingerprint Criminal Background Check Obtaining the required clearances is completed as part of the new hire process.
Carnegie Museums is an Equal Opportunity Employer
The above job description reflects the essential functions and qualifications for the position identified, and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position. The job description does not constitute an employment contract and does not alter the at-will relationship between CMP and the employee.
*GUIDANCE ON ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) requires employers to consider and accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities. An individual is qualified if he or she can perform the essential functions of a job with or without reasonable accommodation. An essential job function is any task that is a fundamental part of the job. When considering essentiality, one must focus upon whether the function is essential to this particular job and not to the department as a whole. Some additional guidance on essential functions follows below. Please note that the following guidelines are non-exhaustive. If you have any questions or need additional guidance, please contact Human Resources. A. Is the function required to be performed on a regular basis? If the function is rarely performed, it may not be essential. B. Is the function highly specialized? Is the incumbent hired for his/her expertise or ability to perform the function? The need for special expertise is an indication of an essential function. C. Does the position exist, at least in part, to perform the function? If so, the function is more likely to be essential. D. How much time is spent performing the function and how often? Note that even functions performed 10% of the time could be essential if they are required on a regular basis. E. Would elimination of the function fundamentally alter the job? If so, the function is more likely to be essential. F. What are the consequences of not requiring the incumbent to perform the function? If they are significant, the function is more likely to be essential. G. Are there a limited number of employees among whom the performance of the function could be distributed if the incumbent could not perform it? If so, it is more likely to be essential.
Other details
- Job Family Vacation Category II
- Pay Type Salary
- Carnegie Museum of Natural History - Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1847 State Route 381 RD, Rector, Pennsylvania, United States of America