Dr. Gottschalk is the Project Leader for USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station, Research Work Unit NRS-03 - Ecology and Management of Invasive Species and Forest Ecosystems located in Morgantown, WV, Hamden, CT, and East Lansing, MI. The research units mission is to provide knowledge and methods for protecting and sustaining healthy forests affected by invasive species and disturbances. The units research focus is concentrated in two major areas: 1) enhancing understanding and management of invasions and invasive species (approximately 80% of the units work), and 2) sustaining forests through the regeneration and management of oak-dominated forests (approximately 20% of the units work). The units research efforts include restoration of forest ecosystems impacted by invasive species. Dr. Gottschalks personal research has focused on the silviculture and regeneration of oak-dominated forests and the impact of invasive species on forest ecosystems and the use of silviculture to restore those forests.

During Dr. Gottschalks career he has published over 150 papers, given dozens of invited presentations, and participated in numerous training sessions, workshops, and field tours as an invited speaker and instructor. He has consulted and given presentations in England, France, Germany, Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Finland, Canada, Kyrgyzstan, Australia, South Korea, and many areas across the U.S. Dr. Gottschalk is a member of a number of professional and honorary organizations including: Xi Sigma Pi Honorary, Gamma Sigma Delta Honorary, Alpha Zeta Honorary, Sigma Xi Research Honorary, Society of American Foresters, American Institute of Biological Sciences, and Ecological Society of America. He has received a number of honors and awards including: Outstanding Hardwood Forestry Research 1995 Hardwood Research Council, Certificate of Merit 1997 Awards Program for Excellence in Technology Transfer, Fellow Society of American Foresters, Outstanding Contribution to Silviculture 2005 USDA Forest Service, and Robert W. Bauer Outstanding Service to Forestry Award 2013 Allegheny Society of American Foresters.

Dr. Gottschalk serves and has served in many science and professional leadership roles. He has been Chair-elect, Chair, and past Chair of the Allegheny Society of American Foresters (SAF) and the national Silviculture Working Group of SAF, served on many national and regional science and policy committees including Forest Health Framework and Invasive Species Framework and Strategic Plan, Northern Research Station strategic plan, Northern US regional invasive species integrated team and is currently serving his second term as Chair of the Forest Science & Technology Board of the SAF and on the National Governing Council of SAF.