Summary: The scientist will lead a research theme within the William L. Brown Center on plants for food, including agrobiodiversity, crop wild relatives and wild utilized plants, and their role in global food security. Building on background in agrobiodiversity, ethnobotany, plant systematics, taxonomy, or related fields, the scientist will leverage MBG's strengths and build new initiatives to advance science in support of the WLBC mission to understand the relationships between humans, plants, and their environment. They will take a leadership role in developing and directing a program of studies of important food plant species, including cultivated, crop wild relative, and edible species, and may use field studies, geographic comparisons, monographic, morphological and/or molecular approaches to address questions related to the analysis, maintenance and future trajectories of food plant diversity. They will have the ability to attract funding and to conduct strategically aligned projects with significant independence. They will have at least some understanding of botanical garden collections and interest in producing knowledge that addresses societal challenges, including engagement with policy and local and Indigenous communities.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assumes a leadership role in developing and executing research projects that advance ethnobotanical science and the understanding of plants for food; drawing upon expertise and collections of WLBC and the Garden.
- Publishes research results in high-quality peer-reviewed journals and other publications.
- Shares research findings at scientific meetings and with the public through talks and other outreach initiatives.
- Supports colleagues and students in the development and execution of collaborative research projects.
- Identifies funding sources and writes competitive grant proposals.
- Manages funded projects including budget oversight and supervision of support staff, contractors, or volunteers as necessary.
- Provides mentorship to undergraduate, Master's, Ph.D. students, interns, volunteers, and Post-Doctoral Fellows.
- Collaborates with other Departments and Divisions within MBG such as Conservation, Restoration and Sustainability and Education.
- Fosters external collaborations and partnerships to enhance MBG's William L. Brown Center.
- Serves on scientific panels, committees or academic society leadership as needed.
- Represents WLBC and MBG at scientific and non-scientific meetings, events, and outreach activities.
- Engages with diverse local and Indigenous community members and decision makers as necessary to develop programs and inform policy.
- Prepares detailed reports on projects for internal and external stakeholders.
- Review sand contributes to various documents including grant proposals and journal articles.
- Adheres to MBG's guidelines for budgets, contracts, agreements, and projects.
- Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.
- Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork, cooperation, and respect within our division and throughout the Garden with all employees, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and others
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities: This position supervises 1to 2 Research Specialists. May provide guidance to junior staff for their career development. They will also provide direction and training to undergraduate students, graduate students and/or postdoctoral fellows.
- Communication - Listens to others and asks questions for clarification; Writes clearly and presents information accurately; Speaks professionally and responds well to questions; Supports positive visitor relations.
- Collaboration -Demonstrates teamwork and promotes respect in the workplace; Engages in problem solving and group initiatives; Cooperates in implementing procedures and process improvements; Strives for positive visitor experiences.
- Accountability - Demonstrates commitment to responsibilities and adaptable to changes; Effectively prioritizes, troubleshoots and takes appropriate actions; Follows policies and procedures, meets deadlines, quality, and safety standards; Strives to proactively, address visitor and internal colleagues' concerns.
- Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems; Includes supervisor before taking action as necessary; Recommends solutions, demonstrates creativity and resourcefulness; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment in decision making process; Includes appropriate people in making decisions.
- Stewardship - Promotes and adheres to sustainability, safety and security protocols; Fosters a culture of respect, diversity and inclusion; Demonstrates effective and prudent use of Garden resources; Maximizes contributions during work hours.
- Leadership- Incorporates a cluster of knowledge, skills and abilities required for management of people, budgets and assigned business functions/operations
Qualifications/Experience:
- Documented scientific record with a minimum of five (5) years' experience in one or more of the following fields: agrobiodiversity, ethnobotany, plant systematics, taxonomy, or related fields.
- Demonstrated ability to publish research in high-quality peer-reviewed journals.
- Demonstrated ability in grant proposal writing and managing projects.
- Capacity to conceive and develop projects that will advance the fields of plant explorations, conservation or restoration.
- Some management experience.
- Some understanding of financial budget development/management and forecasting process.
- Experience in seeking external funding, including negotiation.
- Experience writing scientific papers, grant proposals, and reports.
- Ability to work effectively and respectfully with diverse teams including international colleagues.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 25% of the time.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills: professionalism; ability to speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, to listen and get clarification, and to respond well to questions; is tactful and treats others with respect.
- Scheduling flexibility is required to work evenings, weekends, or holidays as needed.
- The Garden is committed to the safety and well-being of our employees, volunteers, and guests. All staff are strongly encouraged to receive all vaccinations as recommended by your healthcare provider prior to hire date. The Garden reserves the right to require future proof of current vaccination status based on local health department guidelines. When international travel is necessary for Garden business, staff must be able to obtain required travel clearances, driving permits, and vaccinations for all countries where travel is required.
- The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.
- Ph.D.in one or more fields of focus for William L. Brown Center: biological sciences with emphasis on agrobiodiversity, ethnobotany, plant systematics, taxonomy, or related fields. Candidates with social science background focusing on ethnobotany, policy, and/or food sciences with a strong understanding of biodiversity may be considered.
- An equivalent combination of education, skills, and experience may be considered.
- Ability to communicate effectively in English (oral/written).
- Excellent public speaking skills.
- Requires ability to conduct independent research and to actively participate in team work; apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution; represents the interests and projects a positive image of the Missouri Botanical Garden.
- Proficiency in basic statistics and statistical techniques
- Advanced quantitative skills are highly desirable.
- Ability to track and analyze budgets.
- Advanced college math aptitude - requires the ability to perform algebra/calculus equations, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; calculate percentages and decimals, etc.
- Proficiency using Microsoft Office Word and Excel programs required; strong working knowledge of Outlook features required and PowerPoint preferred.
- Solid Internet research skills.
- Ability to use e-mail to communicate with MBG staff in order to answer questions and service their needs.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a passport for international travel.
- Must be able to obtain visas, vaccinations and immunizations for all countries where travel is required.
- Ability to travel independently for long periods on airplanes, trains and other conveyances both domestic and international.
- May be required to perform tasks at varying heights and at high altitudes.
- Ability to lift up to 10 lbs.
- Ability to utilize computer keyboard (typing), and operates copiers, printers, fax machines and computers.
- Ability to sit for extended periods (up to 50% of workday).
- Ability to move about facility frequently throughout workday.
- Ability to walk, stand, kneel, or climb as required and move about for extended periods.
- Ability to understand travel safety requirements and wear personal protective equipment, as needed.
- May require working long hours to meet deadlines.
- Office and laboratory environment in St. Louis and overseas; overseas assignments, including in developing countries.
- Outdoor setting; ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions (i.e., in temperatures over 100F as well as temperatures below 0F, in rain, snow and other inclement weather conditions as needed).
- Comfortable working in immediate proximity to general public, in a safe and friendly manner, answering questions.
Contacts with Individuals/Organizations inside/outside the Missouri Botanical Garden:
- Garden employees and volunteers
- Collaborators, guests and international scientists
- Local and Indigenous community members
- Professional organizations
- Director of the William L. Brown Center
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Missouri Botanical Garden
62,899 USD
Aug 26, 2025