Job Type: On-site, full-time
Location: Tall Timbers - Tallahassee, Florida
Pay: $50,000 – $60,000/year plus potential on-site housing in Florida
Application Deadline: February 22, 2026 (or until filled)
The Fire Research Biologist is a key position for all fire research at Tall Timbers. The Biologist will assist the investigation of the patterns and mechanisms of post-fire tree mortality and fire-vegetation feedbacks in forests, savanna, and grasslands. The incumbent will primarily focus on a series of large permanent plots where prescribed fire is applied. The incumbent will be supervised by the Director of Research and work closely with other scientists and staff at Tall Timbers and collaboratively with other scientists and staff at the USDA Forest Service, and affiliated NGOs, universities, and land managers.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The incumbent will primarily be responsible for collecting field data, data management, and
writing manuscripts. Additionally, the candidate will assist coordination for multiple field-based projects, including administration, field activities, and supervision of interns and other technicians.
Minimum Qualifications
A completed graduate degree in either forestry, ecology, plant physiology, or a related field.
Candidate should be highly motivated with the ability to work independently. The candidate
should have experience designing and implementing field and laboratory experiments. Experience with advanced statistical analyses is preferred. Valid state driver’s license required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of and experience with two or more of the following topic areas: forest ecology,
community ecology, fire ecology, fire behavior, statistical analyses, and scientific writing.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Ability to perform routine office work and fieldwork in inclement weather and under strenuous
conditions in southern climates throughout the calendar year, including occasional long hours and weekends for field campaigns.
Workplace Environment
Tall Timbers is committed as equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or hate toward any race, ethnicity, culture, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, national origin, veteran status, socioeconomic class, religion, or professional status. We strongly encourage applications from historically underrepresented groups and those that add to and engage the local communities of the region.
Instructions for Applying
Applications should include (in a single PDF): 1) a letter of interest that includes educational and experiential preparation and 2) a current resume. All applications should be emailed to Dr. Morgan Varner (mvarner@talltimbers.org) and Erin Wachter (ewachter@talltimbers.org).
Contact: Erin Wachter, Lead Fire Research Biologist
Contact Email: ewachter@talltimbers.org
Contact Phone: 804-305-1330
Applications Reviewed: February 22, 2026 or until a suitable candidate can be found
Position Start Date: Winter/Spring 2026 (negotiable)
Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time (Exempt)
Salary: $50,000 – $60,000 plus potential on-site housing in Florida
Work Location: Tall Timbers, Tallahassee, Florida
About Tall Timbers
Tall Timbers, a 4,000-acre site founded in 1958, is located in Tallahassee, Florida. Research at Tall Timbers is focused on fire ecology, vertebrate ecology, Northern bobwhite ecology, fire behavior, and advanced fire training to meet next-generation fire management needs. Tall Timbers also owns and manages the 7,800 acre Livingston Place, near Monticello, Florida. Both sites are frequently burned and have a diversity of ecosystems where fire is a dominant ecological process. More information on Tall Timbers can be found here: https://talltimbers.org/
