RESUME

Nico Lübcker (he/him), Ph.D.           

                                         Scientist | Translating Science into Products

Professional Summary

Research & Development (R&D) | Project Manager | Environmental Scientist

Results-driven, multidimensional professional with 10 years of international experience in cross-functional Research and Development, Project Management, and Laboratory Analyses. I am highly adaptive and proficient in diverse mass spectrometry techniques, data processing, and statistical methods, applied to environmental research.

• International leader with 5 successfully led international collaborations, resulting in 21 ISI-accredited publications (H-index of 10) and $600k USD in funding.
• Passionate about sustainable development, quality, safety, ethics, cross-cultural communication, and policy implementation to enhance socio-economic and environmental well-being through data-driven decision-making at regional and international levels.

Education

• Postdoctoral Scientist (2021-2023) in Biogeochemistry, University of New Mexico (UNM), USA.
• Ph.D. Zoology (2017-2020), University of Pretoria (UP), South Africa.

Experience & Transferable Skills                       

2011-2023

Research & Development (R&D)	Project Manager | UNM (2021-2023), University of Stellenbosch (US, PhD), UP (PhD, 2013-2020), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (2011). – Proven track record of fulfilling leadership roles, managing research teams, overseeing field sampling, and laboratory analyses (see publications). – Provided innovative solutions to a broad range of pure and applied scientific questions in terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystems.
Laboratory Experience	Analytical Chemistry | US (2018), UNM (2021-2023) – Proficient in Liquid and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry · Ultraperformance Convergence Chromatography (UPC2) · Picarro Laser Water Analyzer · Compound-Specific Stable Isotope Gas Chromatography-Combustion-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS) · Dual Inlet IRMS (Thermo Scientific™ 253 Plus). – Oversaw laboratory operations with a team of 10 researchers, conducted sample preparation, troubleshooting, and optimized data processing workflows.
Ecological Monitoring	Ecologist | UP (2013-2020), US (2018), UNM (2021-2023) – Practical skills in species-specific consultation, field data collection, study design, permitting, research, statistical modeling, and technical report writing (reptiles, birds, mammals). – Co-led fieldwork, sample, and data analyses for 2 Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) projects. – Extensive stakeholder engagement, research resulted in amendments to the NEMA Act (2015).
Capacity Building & Communication	Science Communicator | Professional Developer | UP, UNM (2011-2023) – Authored 21 publications and delivered 32 presentations internationally and locally (SA) to diverse audiences, garnering 241 citations. – Trained 14 international and local professionals in specialized environmental analysis techniques, including staff from prestigious institutions like Yale and Stanford.

Relevant Skills, Techniques & Awards

Creative Problem-solving · Adaptability and Resilience · Scientific Research Skills · Qualitative Research · Detailed-oriented · Grant Writing and Fundraising · Statistical Programming (R, Python, Mathematica, AI) · Environmental Monitoring· Data Analyses · Presentations · Microsoft and Adobe Pro Products (e.g., Adobe Illustrator; Excel; Access) · Geospatial Analysis (ArcGIS/R) · Predictive Modelling · Academically fluent in Afrikaans and English · Liquid and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry · Conflict Resolution · Mechanically Inclined.

• Completed formal short courses in tutoring, statistics, stable isotope biochemistry, health & safety, first aid, firefighting, and more.
• Academic honorary, UP; multiple scholarships, best presenter awards, and research awards totaling R12 million.
• Outdoorsman · Fishing (3 World Championships) · Cycling · Steel Work · Bonsais · Volunteering · Certified Diver · Peer-Reviewed >30 manuscripts.

P.S. I support diversity, equity, and inclusion and am excited to contribute to your company’s vision.