Ecologist

OXMAN

OXMAN is a hybrid Design and R&D company that fuses design, technology, and biology to invent multi-scale products and environments. The fusion of disciplines within our work opens previously impossible opportunities within each domain—allowing design to inspire science and science to inspire design.

At OXMAN, we question dominant modes of design that have divorced us from Nature by prioritizing humanity above all else (human-centric design). Although it is design that has caused this rift, we believe that design also offers the greatest opportunity to heal it.

We propose a Nature-centric approach that delivers design solutions by, for, and with the natural world, while advancing humanity. In this pursuit, we reject all forms of segregation and instead call for a radical synergy between human-made and Nature-grown environments.

This approach demands that we design across scales for systems-level impact. We consider every designed construct a whole system of heterogeneous and complex interrelations—not isolated objects—that are intrinsically connected to their environments. In doing so, we open ourselves up to moving beyond mere maintenance toward the advancement of Nature.

Summary

OXMAN is seeking an Ecologist to join an all-star interdisciplinary team of deep thinkers and brilliant makers. This person is passionate about expanding our current understanding of plant life and how it relates to and communicates with its surroundings. They are observant, creative, and skilled in the art of leading plant-related research across scales, with an emphasis on the ecological and architectural scales. The ideal candidate brings experience with plant communication and biogenic volatile organic compound (bVOCs) emissions. In this role, they will study diverse arrays of plant species, strains, and structures, spanning from roots to shoots. They will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of data-driven bioengineering and design projects involving photosynthetic organisms and associated ecologies.

Successful applicants embody stellar technical skills, hold the capacity to navigate and resolve uncertainty, and demonstrate a unique “language” of biology (wetware) / computing (software) / fabricating (hardware), or a combination thereof. They have produced and can present a prolific corpus of research and experimental demonstrations rooted in sound scientific approaches and process-driven design with biology at its core; exemplify a passion for systems-based thinking with a wide range of potential applications for their work; personify an appreciation for engineering, science, and art; and seek synergy between biology and technology in research, practice, and direct industrial utility.

Core responsibilities

• Lead studies of plants and their environments, relationships, traits, and processes
• Design experiments for both lab and field environments (for example, to test the effects of weather, pollutants, pests, and other stressors on various plant species)
• Conduct fieldwork (e.g., collecting and testing plant samples, recording observations, botanical surveys, natural community mapping, ecological impact assessments)
• Analyze plant responses and report on findings, trends, benefits, or concerns
• Maintain plant growth of a variety of species in environmental chambers
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of literature and technology related to plant communication in ecological systems across multiple plan species
• Maintain high-quality documentation of scientific output and research in the forms of written reports, electronic lab notebooks, internal databases, code comments, etc.
• Actively seek opportunities to publish work in top-tier journals and other platforms for diffusing scientific knowledge
• Nurture and augment the scientific vision of OXMAN, upholding core design principles and ensuring the highest and most innovative quality of work
• Actively partner with a multidisciplinary team of professionals, including other biologists, engineers, and designers, across scientific and design pursuits
• Communicate ideas, work, and progress clearly, including by engaging in team meetings, presentations, and other creative communication outlets

Qualifications & competencies

• PhD or MS degree in botany, plant science, biology, ecology, or a related field
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a professional lab environment
• Portfolio of successful scientific work from conceptualization to implementation, demonstrating out-of-the-box thinking and stellar taste
• Experience growing a wide range of plants and working with a variety of ecosystems (terrestrial, marine, etc.) ideally in different contexts (field, greenhouses, growth chambers, etc.)
• Occasional travel to field sites will be required
• Excellent skills in plant identification and plant taxonomy
• Experience with plant communication is a plus
• Expertise in analysis of a wide range of biogenic volatile organic compounds (bVOCs) ideally from a variety of plants and microbes is a plus
• Familiarity with plants and ecosystems around the world; an interest in rare and culturally significant plants is a plus
• Experience in quantitative techniques for monitoring photosynthesis and growth is a plus
• Proficiency in applying computational methods to experimental design and data analysis is a plus (algorithm design, statistical methods, etc.)
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment
• Independent, self-motivated, detail-oriented, accurate, and highly organized
• Strong commitment to the team; maintains positive working relationships with diverse people, including internal team and external partners
• Embodies ethics and integrity in all work with impeccable scientific integrity, respecting both company and broader community policies in all conduct

OXMAN does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristics.

NYC Salary Range: $83,000-$225,000

Salary is based on a number of factors including job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other business and organizational needs. Our compensation package also includes variable compensation in the form of year-end bonuses, benefits, immigration assistance, and equity participation.