Ecological Data Scientist

ECOLOGICAL DATA SCIENTIST

​Reports to: Head of Data Science

Location: Remote within Continental US

Applications will be open until March 8th, 2024 with an anticipated start date as soon as April 2024.

About Funga

Funga is a public benefit corporation harnessing forest fungal networks to address the climate crisis. We combine modern DNA sequencing and machine learning technology with breakthrough research on the forest microbiome to put the right native, biodiverse communities of mycorrhizal fungi in the right place. This leads to more quality wood created more quickly, more carbon sequestered, and more resilient forests. We serve land partners seeking to implement regenerative forestry practices that improve productivity and sustainability, and corporate carbon buyers building high-quality carbon removal portfolios with strong social and biodiversity outcomes. We’re a team of passionate scientists and builders on a mission to draw down at least three gigatons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by 2050.

About the Role

We are currently seeking an Ecological Data Scientist to join our dynamic team. This role is instrumental in advancing our mission to revolutionize forestry practice and environmental sustainability. As an Ecological Data Scientist at Funga, you will play a pivotal role in the analysis for forestry data and model development of forest microbiome recommendation engine, assisting in the development of novel strategies for sustainable forestry.

We are a small team, and each of us operates beyond our roles on a daily basis. We are looking for someone excited to implement new approaches, problem solve and think creatively. This role is an opportunity to develop a novel forest fungal inoculation program and address one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.​

If you are excited about starting new things, learning as you go, and being hands-on in applying your work to the private sector, you will dig working with us. We encourage you to apply even if only some of the criteria below are met – just tell us why you’re excited about Funga!

In This Role, You Will:

• Develop innovative ecological models to predict forest biomass given the environment and particular microbiome profiles.
• Build scalable data science pipelines for integrating multiple data streams: DNA sequencing, environmental, forest productivity, and experimental trial results.
• Manage and document special projects that incorporate understanding a variety of aspects of forestry and fungal inoculation.
• Perform analyses using forest productivity data to determine treatment effect sizes and their potential correlation with inoculation.
• Collaborate across forestry and data science teams to contribute to informing inoculation experimental targets.
• Participate in company strategy for field collection design.
• Travel up to 20% of the time to quarterly team offsite events and other meetings as needed.

Our Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Ph.D. or equivalent technical experience in quantitative ecology, ecological modeling, biometric modeling, or a related field.
• Research experience in forest ecology.
• Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in ecological modeling, version control, and analysis documentation software (e.g., Python, R, git, and Markdown).
• Demonstrated experience building reproducible pipelines for data integration and complex modeling using innovative methods.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently as well as part of a collaborative team.
• Flexibility in assisting the team with other computational tasks as needed related to forest health and environmental data information.
• Passion for ecological research, biodiversity, and addressing climate change.

Why Join Funga:

• Make a meaningful impact: Contribute to innovative solutions addressing one of the most pressing global challenges – climate change.
• Collaborative environment: Work closely with a diverse team of scientists, foresters, and data experts who share a common passion for sustainability.
• Career growth: Be part of a pioneering company with opportunities for professional development and leadership within ecological modeling.
• Hands-on experience: Apply your ecological modeling skills directly to environmental conservation and forest management.
• Participate in comprehensive healthcare benefits and employee equity programs.

If you are enthusiastic about leveraging ecological modeling to transform forestry practices, eager to learn, and excited to collaborate on groundbreaking research, we encourage you to apply, even if you do not meet all of the criteria listed above.

Salary and Benefits

The expected salary range for this role is $65,000 – $85,000 USD, with actual salary based on qualifications and experience.

Funga offers a competitive benefits package including equity in our fast-growing startup; a flexible time off policy; medical, dental, and vision benefits; and a wellness reimbursement program. Our team is in a dynamic growth phase. By joining us at this stage, you can shape our benefits and culture!