Vice President for Science

Vice President for Science

Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies

Cary Institute is a premier global independent ecological research institution based in Millbrook, New York. In the last decade, the Institute has hired a new generation of Cary scientists, renovated our physical infrastructure, and expanded both the scope and scale of our work. We continue to expand and diversify our strong base of public and private support. We are excited and ambitious for the future of the Institute.

Position Summary

We are creating a new position, the Vice President (VP) for Science, to support our research programs and catalyze the continued growth and needs of our scientists. Working with our scientists, the VP for Science will lead the process of defining and establishing robust and integrated systems of support (labs, computational facilities, information access) for our scientific endeavor. They will ensure that our staff have the resources and institutional support necessary to continue to pursue cutting-edge, high-risk, high-reward research, and will anticipate future support needs in a rapidly changing research landscape. We expect the VP will be a scientist with a strong track record of supporting collaborative and synthetic research.

Creativity, forward thinking, and a willingness to experiment and adapt are essential to success in this position. The development of priorities for research support will continue to be a collaborative effort among the scientists and other staff, working in concert with and coordinated by the VP for Science.

The VP will serve on the Executive Management Team with the President, Comptroller/VP of Administration, VP of Strategic Partnerships, Senior Director Communications and Engagement, and Director of Development, and is expected to represent the views and needs of the scientists in the management of the Institute.

Success in the position will be evaluated against the administrative responsibilities identified in the job description.

Limited research consistent with execution of these responsibilities will be considered.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and management of shared resources

The VP for Science will develop a vision for, build, and expand shared resources and infrastructure including laboratory/analytical, computational, and information resources in support of current and future institutional needs. They will engage with the scientists to surface ideas, build alignment around priorities, and move objectives from discussion to action. They will be responsible for managing the staff and budgets of science support.

Success will require the VP establish clear and transparent priorities, processes, and timelines for the acquisition, management, and access to shared resources. An early priority for the position is working with the scientific staff, support staff, and internal standing committees to assess the current structure of our scientific support and develop a strategy to ensure that we have the scientific support we need for the next decade and beyond. Specifically, this will include executing a strategic vision for our analytical labs, computational resources, and library access, and data management. Identifying and helping secure the financial resources (public and private) for these activities will be key to success. The VP for Science will lead or assist in grant writing as required.

Catalyze a scaled vision for our research

In collaboration with our scientists, identify, catalyze, and amplify a scaled vision for our research that brings together themes and topics into larger-scale initiatives that will be led by scientist(s). The role of the VP is to work with the scientists to build on existing strengths and activities to position the Institute to have greater standing and impact, leading to larger-scale funding, both private and public. The VP will work with the Core Scientists and the Development office to facilitate the alignment of initiatives with funding opportunities. The VP may lead on writing proposals and assist with fund-raising efforts.

Review, reappointment, and promotion of core scientists

Cary Institute does not grant tenure, and our staff reviews (annual, reappointment, and promotion) are a critical part of empowering core scientists to reflect on their past accomplishments, refine and enunciate their goals, and identify and overcome barriers to success. As the line manager of the 14 core scientists, the VP will be responsible for conducting their annual reviews. As part of this responsibility, the VP will support and advance professional development working with each staff member to define individual goals, evaluate progress, and identify professional training and development opportunities. As Chair of our standing Staff Review Committee, composed of senior scientists, the VP will manage the staff reappointment and promotion process. The President will retain ultimate approval of reappointments and promotions.

Steward internal grants, convening opportunities, and fellowships

The VP will be responsible for managing a set of activities and internal funding resources aimed at building collaborations, funding early-stage, high-risk, high-reward research, and convening to address emerging issues in ecology. This will include our Science Innovation Funds, our Visiting Scientist Program, our Cary Fellows program, and the Cary Conference series. The VP for Science will be responsible for managing the process of internal granting, including calls for proposals, proposal review, and awards and is therefore not eligible to compete for these funds.

Represent the Institute

While the VP’s responsibilities will primarily focus inward, at times they will be expected to leverage their broad understanding of Cary’s science portfolio to amplify the impact of Cary’s science within professional science societies, governments and agencies, and the media to maintain and amplify the Cary Institute's reputation.

Required Qualifications

• 15 years experience in ecology, ecosystem science or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience and creativity in developing and managing research support across multiple laboratories, departments, institutions, and/or collaborative research networks.
• Proven ability to think across diverse fields and sub-fields, and to foster a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven team culture.
• Strong leadership and staff management skills employed to guide and motivate staff with a team approach while fostering a culture of collaboration, respect, and kindness.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication abilities (written and verbal).
• Experience in grant writing and fundraising across scales (projects to institutional initiatives).
• Demonstrated integrity and professionalism.

Preferred Qualifications

• A PhD in ecology, ecosystem science or a related field.
• Experience connecting scientific research with policy, management, or other applied fields.
• Experience supporting scientist evaluation, career development, mentoring, and/or professional advancement.
• Experience in building collaborations and maintaining relationships with peer organizations.
• A track record of fostering professional development and building professional networks.
• Experience with representing science to a range of audiences, including the public.

Working Conditions

• This position will be based at the Institute’s headquarters in Millbrook, NY, and the VP for Science is expected to live locally.
• Full-time, Exempt, benefitted position.

Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, disability, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, sincerely held practice or religion, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status, marital status or status as a domestic violence survivor and any other characteristics protected by law.

If you’d like to view a copy of the company’s commitment to equal opportunity, please email Human Resources at [email protected].

The Institute provides reasonable accommodations for providing job application assistance to qualifying individuals and disabled veterans. If you require assistance in using our online application system due to a disability, you may contact [email protected] or fax us at 845-677-7600.