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Ecosystem Science Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Contribute to a modern, cloud-first technology stack (Azure ecosystem) that meets federal standards for security, privacy, and governance. * Help strengthen the client's internal data-science ...

Contribute to a modern, cloud-first technology stack (Azure ecosystem) that meets federal standards for security, privacy, and governance. * Help strengthen the client's internal data-science ...

Contribute to a modern, cloud-first technology stack (Azure ecosystem) that meets federal standards for security, privacy, and governance. * Help strengthen the client's internal data-science ...

Anomalous Health Incidents Senior Scientist

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$97.90K - $133.80K/yr

... Evaluation (RDT&E) ecosystem and significant experience relevant to AHI. This position is ... Master's degree OR PhD in relevant hard science/engineering (e.g., physics, materials science ...

Data Scientist- TS/SCI

Arlington, VA · On-site

$110K - $210K/yr

... Ecosystem. MORSE is searching for a Data Scientist with expertise in data analysis, data science ... D in Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Physical or ...

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Ecosystem Science information

See Virginia salary details

$23.8K

$89.6K

$178.9K

How much do ecosystem science jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for ecosystem science in Virginia is $89,608.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,626.00 and $118,162.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Ecosystem Scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Ecosystem Scientist, you need a strong background in ecology, biology, environmental science, and data analysis, typically supported by a relevant degree such as a BSc or MSc in environmental or biological sciences. Competence with GIS software, statistical analysis tools, and field sampling equipment is commonly required, along with certifications in environmental monitoring or research methods. Critical thinking, collaboration, and effective communication are essential soft skills for synthesizing data and working with multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualifications are crucial for accurately assessing ecosystem health, informing conservation efforts, and guiding sustainable management decisions.

What are some typical collaborative projects or partners an Ecosystem Scientist might work with?

Ecosystem Scientists frequently collaborate with government agencies, conservation organizations, and academic researchers to address environmental challenges such as habitat restoration, biodiversity monitoring, or climate impact assessments. These projects often involve multidisciplinary teams, incorporating expertise from hydrology, wildlife biology, and data science. Building strong partnerships is essential, as these collaborations enable Ecosystem Scientists to gather comprehensive data, apply for joint funding, and implement effective management strategies across large landscapes.

What is ecosystem science?

Ecosystem science is the study of interactions among organisms and their environment as a system. It focuses on understanding how living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components of ecosystems, such as plants, animals, microbes, soil, water, and climate, interact to shape the structure and function of natural systems. Ecosystem scientists investigate processes like nutrient cycling, energy flow, and ecosystem services, often to inform conservation, land management, and policy. This field is interdisciplinary, combining biology, ecology, geography, and environmental science to address complex environmental challenges.

What is the difference between Ecosystem Science vs Environmental Science?

AspectEcosystem ScienceEnvironmental Science
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Ecology, Biology, or Environmental ScienceBachelor's or Master's in Environmental Science, Ecology, or related fields
Work EnvironmentField research, ecological monitoring, data analysisLaboratory, fieldwork, policy analysis
Employer & IndustryResearch institutions, conservation agencies, universitiesGovernment agencies, NGOs, consulting firms

Both Ecosystem Science and Environmental Science involve understanding ecological systems, but Ecosystem Science focuses specifically on the interactions within ecosystems, often emphasizing field research and ecological modeling. Environmental Science has a broader scope, including pollution, policy, and sustainability issues. Professionals in both fields often share similar credentials and work environments, but their focus areas differ, making them distinct yet related careers.

What are popular job titles related to Ecosystem Science jobs in Virginia? For Ecosystem Science jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Ecosystem Science jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Ecosystem Science job openings:
Data Scientist

Data Scientist

Elder Research

Arlington, VA • Hybrid

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago


Job description

Data Scientist


General Information

Requisition # 693

Locations USA-VA-Arlington

Posting Date 05/06/2026

Security Clearance Required - Active Public Trust

Remote Type Hybrid (Washington DC Metro)

Time Type Full time


Description & Requirements

Elder Research Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of MANTECH international Corporation seeks a motivated, career and customer-oriented Data Scientist to join our team in Arlington, VA. This is a hybrid position with several days onsite per month as needed.

You'll support a U.S. federal civilian agency that serves as the central authority on human capital across the federal workforce, helping advance strategic goals around modernizing its use of data, building a stronger analytics workforce across government, delivering trusted human-capital data products to agencies and employees, and strengthening data governance, privacy, and security.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Develop, deploy, and maintain production ML and NLP models that surface insights from large volumes of human-capital and workforce data, directly supporting decisions made by federal agencies, employees, and the public.
  • Build and modernize data products and pipelines that improve data access, integration, and quality across legacy and cloud-based systems.
  • Translate ambiguous policy and program questions into well-scoped analytical work, partnering with non-technical stakeholders and presenting results in ways decision-makers can act on.
  • Contribute to a modern, cloud-first technology stack (Azure ecosystem) that meets federal standards for security, privacy, and governance.
  • Help strengthen the client's internal data-science capability through pairing, code review, knowledge transfer, and reusable tooling.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • 2–3 years of experience developing, deploying, and maintaining large-scale ML models in production using real-world data
  • Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, engineering, data science, or a related quantitative field
  • Hands-on experience building and evaluating NLP-based machine learning models
  • Strong Python skills for developing and automating ML models and data pipelines
  • Proficiency with collaborative development tools (VS Code, Git, GitHub Copilot)
  • Experience working in Agile teams to iteratively develop and deliver data products
  • Strong analytical, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills, including translating ambiguous requirements into actionable solutions

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience using Azure cloud products such as Azure Databricks, Azure DevOps, Azure OpenAI, and Azure AI Search.
  • Experience delivering data-science work in a federal or other regulated environment, with awareness of FedRAMP, FISMA, or similar compliance regimes.
  • Experience working with human-capital, workforce, survey, or other administrative-record data.
  • Experience with MLOps tooling and patterns for monitoring, retraining, and governing models in production.

Clearance Requirements:

  • This role requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Public Trust clearance. U.S. citizenship or other status meeting the federal investigative requirements is required at the time of hire.

About Elder Research, Inc - People Centered. Data Driven

Elder Research considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to disability or veteran status or any other status protected under any federal, state, or local law or regulation.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to apply for a position with Elder Research, please email us at careers@elderresearch.com and provide your name and contact information.