National Park Service Long-Term Monitoring Data Scientist (Internal Employment Opportunity)
Oregon State University
Data Science
USD 70k-85k / year
Posted on Dec 5, 2025
Position Information
| Department | Acad Prog / Student Aff (LCB) |
|---|---|
| Position Title | Senior Research Associate I |
| Job Title | National Park Service Long-Term Monitoring Data Scientist (Internal Employment Opportunity) |
| Appointment Type | Academic Faculty |
| Job Location | Bend |
| Benefits Eligible | Full-Time, benefits eligible |
| Remote or Hybrid option? | |
| Job Summary | This is an Internal Employment Opportunity. Oregon State University-Cascades, Human and Ecosystem Resilience and Sustainability Lab, invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term, National Park Service Long-Term Monitoring Data Scientist position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Dean of Academic Affairs. This position is located in Bend, Oregon. The Oregon State University Human and Ecosystem Resilience and Sustainability (HERS) Lab is a research institution that delivers expertise in ecological assessment and monitoring, restoration, and native plant materials to support evidence-based conservation for the 21st century. The HERS Lab hosts the Upper Columbia Basin Inventory and Monitoring Network of the National Park Service (UCBN), East Cascades Native Plant Hub (ECNPH), Wildlife Connectivity Hub and the Northwestern Bat Hub on the OSU Cascades campus in Bend, OR. The Lab is hiring one Research Associate for a three-year full-time appointment, with a possibility for extension subject to availability of funds and/or project requirements. This position serves as the Research Associate at OSU-HERS to support an existing project in collaboration with the National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Division. The project entails working with staff representatives for NPS I&M and HERS Lab to design and implement a coordinated data analysis plan for pre-existing long-term monitoring datasets collected over the last 20 years for bats and other wildlife, forest, shrubland, rare plant, and wetland communities, freshwater and marine ecosystems, and wildfire and climate impacts on these and other natural resources in national parks. The Research Associate will use R and Python programming languages, GIS, and related tools to establish and conduct complex and reproducible analysis workflows, summarize information using maps, graphs, tables, and statistical tools, and report findings in technical reports, peer-reviewed manuscripts, and conference presentations. The Research Associate will make recommendations to NPS I&M for analysis interpretation and translation into management strategies, identify needs for and contribute to updates and revisions to existing data collection and analysis protocols associated with projects, and assist analysis team members in maintaining a dynamic program of quantitative ecological discovery applied to conservation decision-making in and around National Parks and protected areas. The Research Associate will report to the lab director/project PI and will work closely with the National Park Service and HERS Lab team members to prioritize and complete project tasks. |
| Why OSU? | Why OSU-Cascades? Founded in 2001, Oregon State University – Cascades brings higher education to Central Oregon while leveraging the excellence of a land grant and top-tier research university in one of the most dynamic cities in the Pacific Northwest. Located near downtown Bend and surrounded by mountains, forest and high desert, OSU-Cascades offers small classes that accelerate faculty-student mentoring and experiential learning in an innovative environment that accelerates opportunities for student, faculty and staff development and advancement. With a 128-acre campus under development and a goal to grow to 3,000 to 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students, OSU-Cascades is delivering on a 40-year grassroots community effort to bring the benefits of a comprehensive university to the region: Student Body and Alumni Student and alumni data is as of fall 2024. • 1,370 undergraduate and graduate students • 78% from Oregon • 42% Central Oregonians • 24% first generation students • 23% students of color • 19 students on average per class • 95% of 2023 graduates employed or in graduate school within 6 months of graduation • 5,625 degrees awarded since founding Academic Majors A growing portfolio of degree programs at OSU-Cascades is designed to meet regional and state industry workforce and economic needs. Research Research underway at OSU-Cascades focuses on challenges in energy, the environment, human wellness, social justice and society. Labs at OSU-Cascades include the FORCE biomechanics lab, the Laboratory for the American Conversation and the Sustainable Tourism Laboratory. Campus Development OSU-Cascades’ campus development is driven by an award-winning long range development plan and engineering efforts that are transforming brownfields into a thriving university campus. Sustainability plans include net zero energy, waste and water goals. Initial sustainability efforts are seen in geothermal sourced energy to heat and cool buildings, and native plant landscaping requiring little or no irrigation. In addition to an academic core, campus plans includes a 24-acre innovation district, mid-market affordable housing, and 10-miles of walking/biking trails. Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job! Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all. FACTS: • Top 1.4% university in the world • More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined • 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S. • 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties • 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone • 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates • 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color • 217k+ alumni worldwide • For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about Locations: Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport. Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances. Total Rewards Package: Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including: • Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents. • Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources. • Retirement savings paid by the university. • A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave. • Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities. • Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program. • Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life. Oregon State University is deeply committed to the principles of a Health Promoting University. This commitment drives a collaborative approach across OSU’s safety and well-being programs, reducing silos and coordinating efforts to enhance employee safety and well-being. By prioritizing resources that support the health of both employees and students, OSU fosters a culture of care and a healthier campus environment where everyone can thrive. Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU. |
| Key Responsibilities | This position is responsible for the day-to-day coordination and implementation of quantitative analyses and communication of findings for a portfolio of long-term monitoring projects in and around National Parks and protected areas. 70% Data analysis
20% Science communication and decision support
10% Teamwork, including effective participation in Lab strategic planning |
| What You Will Need | Ph.D. in ecological data science, statistics, biometry, quantitative ecology, or related field. At least five years of research experience applying research methods, procedures, and techniques in the natural resources management and conservation fields, and specifically related to protected area management; applying statistical and forecasting principles and procedures; planning and designing research projects and/or inventory and monitoring programs specifically tailored to protected area management; writing technical research reports and/or documents; and using statistical computer software packages. This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030. |
| What We Would Like You to Have | Demonstrated experience with the following:
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| Working Conditions / Work Schedule | The majority of work will be conducted in office settings, although the position will require occasional travel to field locations in the region. Field visits will be conducted in remote locations and require foot travel over rough terrain in all weather conditions. |
| Pay Method | Salary |
| Pay Period | 1st through the last day of the month |
| Pay Date | Last working day of the month |
| Recommended Full-Time Salary Range | $70,000-85,000 |
| Link to Position Description |
Posting Detail Information
| Posting Number | P09588UF |
|---|---|
| Number of Vacancies | 1 |
| Anticipated Appointment Begin Date | 01/01/2026 |
| Anticipated Appointment End Date | |
| Posting Date | 12/04/2025 |
| Full Consideration Date | |
| Closing Date | 12/12/2025 |
| Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search | Competitive / Internal |
| Special Instructions to Applicants | This is an Internal Employment Opportunity. When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents: 1) A Curriculum Vitae 2) A Cover Letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position. 3) Publications You will also be required to submit the names of at least three professional references, their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers as part of the application process. Starting salary within the salary range will be commensurate with skills, education, and experience. For additional information please contact: Matt Shinderman matt.shinderman@osucascades.edu 541-322-3159 We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status. OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire. OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. This job has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks website including the for candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at employee.relations@oregonstate.edu. |