The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second-largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world’s complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.
Located in the Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary in Ithaca, New York, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (the Lab) is dedicated to advancing the understanding and protection of the natural world. The Lab brings together scientists, technologists, educators, and conservation practitioners to make new discoveries, share knowledge, and inspire conservation action globally.
This position will be based in the K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics (Yang Center), one of the Lab’s six programmatic centers. The Yang Center collects and interprets sounds in nature by developing and applying innovative technologies across ecologically relevant scales to inform and advance the conservation of wildlife and habitats worldwide. The Center’s interdisciplinary team works across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine systems in collaboration with partners around the globe.
POSITION OVERVIEW
We are seeking an innovative leader and educator to direct the Yang Center’s Capacity Sharing Team and lead our Cornell undergraduate courses in Conservation Bioacoustics. Capacity Sharing is one of three foundational pillars of the Yang Center, alongside cutting-edge bioacoustics research and the development of conservation technologies. The initiatives in capacity sharing aim to strengthen global expertise in conservation bioacoustics through multiple pathways: international mentoring initiatives in the Global South, developing a virtual curriculum, workshops, Cornell undergraduate courses, and our prestigious endowed "Katharine B. Payne Fellows Program in Conservation Bioacoustics” for emerging leaders working in key biodiversity areas.
As a Team Leader, you will be at the forefront of harnessing conservation bioacoustics approaches to sustainably safeguard biodiversity by developing and sharing critical capacities among individuals, organizations, and communities worldwide. The ideal candidate will be an experienced educator and mentor who champions both pedagogical excellence and transformational leadership. You will foster a dynamic, solution-oriented culture in which team members from diverse backgrounds thrive through collaborative support, professional development, and a shared commitment to the highest standards of scientific and educational practice.
POSITION FUNCTIONS & DIVISION OF TIME
Capacity Sharing Team Leadership & Management (40%)
- Provide leadership and supervision to teams of academic and support staff, while fostering collaborative relationships among the Yang Center's research faculty, technical staff, and student researchers. Develop and implement a unified strategy to expand access and scope of training and mentoring programs for diverse audiences, including practitioners and partner organizations, and to focus on region-specific groups at various skill levels. The main capacity-sharing initiatives include:
International training and mentorship program: Develop a cross-regional, integrated initiative for global capacity building in conservation bioacoustics, building on established and ongoing regional efforts in the Global South. Incorporate strategies that support regional and cross-regional objectives, ensuring careful consideration of both sociocultural and conservation contexts.
International Fellowship Program: Manage the prestigious Katharine B. Payne Fellows Program (https://tinyurl.com/2wnyp5vp). You will (i) coordinate and oversee the development of the fellowship scope, recruitment and selection processes, and support plans for each fellow, (ii) serve as a key mentor to the Payne Fellows by providing dedicated guidance and support to enhance their Cornell residency experience and long-term conservation impact, and (iii) develop long-term impact assessment strategies and create engagement opportunities for program alumni.
Virtual curriculum: Oversee the development, implementation, and updating of a virtual program in conservation bioacoustics that includes both theoretical and practical modules on acoustic monitoring for land and water environments. Manage a centralized digital library for teaching resources, curricula, and educational materials.
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Expect to spend 4-6 weeks on domestic and international travel annually. This will include 2-3 week-long trips to the areas where we are engaging in capacity-sharing efforts, including Central/South America, Central Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Academic Program Leadership (40%)
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Lead the content creation and delivery of Cornell's Conservation Bioacoustics course, ensuring academic excellence through innovative educational content and regulatory adherence across all program components. Serve as the primary instructor for undergraduate conservation bioacoustics courses. Implement data-driven systems for course evaluation.
Professional Development and Strategic Initiatives (20%)
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Design and implement comprehensive monitoring and evaluation systems for the Yang Center’s capacity sharing initiatives to ensure program effectiveness and alignment with the Center's conservation mission.
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Identify, seek, and secure external funding through grant writing and fundraising to sustain initiatives long-term.
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Maintain technical expertise in emerging acoustic technologies and virtual curriculum design methodologies.
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Contribute to institutional governance through service on committees such as hiring committees and program reviews.
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Cultivate an inclusive, high-performance culture that promotes innovation and professional development, emphasizing participatory decision-making.
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Collaborate with the Lab’s communication team to support the expansion of a global program reach through strategic story sharing that transforms scientific discoveries into accessible narratives for public audiences across Cornell’s and the Lab's digital and print platforms.
Required Qualifications
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PhD in biology, ecology, computer science, bioacoustics, or related field, with hands-on experience in acoustic monitoring and a proven track record in teaching and mentorship involving acoustic monitoring.
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Minimum of six years of relevant post‑PhD research experience in bioacoustics.
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Ability to manage complex projects, supervise multi-faceted teams, and build collaborative relationships across students, faculty, staff, and external partners with diverse backgrounds.
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Outstanding written and verbal communication skills (in English), with demonstrated cultural competency and professionalism in diverse, international contexts.
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Experience in developing active learning curricula, implementing robust learning assessment strategies, and fostering inclusive, equitable educational environments.
Preferred Qualifications
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Experience applying machine learning, with particular emphasis on bioacoustics analysis and automated species detection & classification.
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Exceptional analytical and creative problem-solving abilities with demonstrated success in developing innovative solutions to complex conservation challenges.
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Proven track record of securing competitive grant funding from federal agencies, foundations, or international organizations to support conservation efforts and education initiatives.
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Works well in active environments with competing deadlines, uses good decision-making skills for important issues, and operates effectively with limited oversight.
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Proficiency in Spanish, French, or other languages relevant to our international training partnerships in Central Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central/South America.
SUPERVISION
The Capacity Sharing Team lead will report to the Assistant Director of the K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics.
The position will be based in Ithaca, NY, USA, and the incumbent will be expected to establish residency in New York. However, at the Yang Center, we embrace flexibility in the work environment, and there will be the option to work remotely 1-2 days per week.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Supervise a team of 4 staff members focused on capacity sharing and engagement.
To apply
Please apply via Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/31967
Qualified candidates should submit a short cover letter, curriculum vitae, a teaching statement, and contact information for three references via the website.
We will start reviewing applications in mid-May and will continue until a suitable applicant is identified.
CALS hiring range for this title is $99,000-$104,000.
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Life. Changing.
Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League and Land-grant university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.
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Pay Range:
Refer to Posting Language
Pay Ranges:
The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:
Prior relevant work or industry experience.
Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.
Academic Discipline
Unique applicable skills.
Employment Assistance:
For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email [email protected].
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2026-04-20
