Senior Climate Scientist
Company: Union of Concerned Scientists
Location: Washington
Posted on: March 7, 2025
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Job Description:
DescriptionSenior Climate ScientistPermanentClimate &
EnergyUnion of Concerned ScientistsRemote Bargaining Unit Position:
Yes Our Organization The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an
independent nonprofit that puts rigorous, independent science into
action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe,
and just future. We envision a peaceful, healthy, and just world
where science serves people and the planet by guiding policy
decisions, reducing risks, and improving lives. For over five
decades, we have been working as scientists, engineers, economists,
advocates, and everyday people to create and advocate for
innovative, practical solutions to some of our planet's most
pressing problems-from combating global warming and developing
sustainable ways to feed, power, and transport ourselves, to
fighting disinformation, advancing racial equity, and reducing the
threat of nuclear war. Values informing our work include: * Science
in the service of people and the planet. * Justice and Equity for
people of all races and incomes-now, and for future generations. *
Courage to take principled, science-based stands in the public
arena. * Integrity to always examine evidence critically, openly,
and honestly. * Democracy to promote a voice for all in government
decisions. * Action inspiring and mobilizing people to build a
healthier, safer, and more just world. UCS's Climate & Energy
ProgramUCS's Climate & Energy program is seeking a Senior Climate
Scientist. The Senior Climate Scientist position provides physical
climate science thought leadership, science direction, and
technical and analytical support to advance the Climate and Energy
Program mission. Senior Climate Scientists contribute to the
development of Theories of Change, design research objectives and
strategies, critically evaluate empirical evidence, and represent
UCS, its values and positions in science advocacy initiatives. The
Senior Climate Scientist will play a lead role in UCS's efforts to
advance, communicate, and defend climate science and climate change
analyses across the C&E program. This position designs and
carries out a robust research agenda including publishing in
peer-review journals and co-creating UCS products for nontechnical
audiences. They aid in background research, planning, and
preparations for the Program's projects related to scientific
integrity and other mission-critical areas and work collaboratively
with coalition and grassroots partners. The Senior Climate
Scientist serves as a lead spokesperson and climate science
technical expert representing UCS in public forums and with media,
policymakers, regulators, and partners. UCS employees center their
work on UCS's core values of racial equity and environmental
justice. They work collaboratively to ensure the effective
operations of the program/department, center anti-racism and equity
in internal and external work, and foster a welcoming, inclusive,
and transparent environment where all staff can thrive and
grow.ResponsibilitiesResearch and Analysis * Design and implement
research and analysis in accordance with legal requirements for
human subjects and environmental protection and upholding
principles of scientific excellence (e.g., regarding plagiarism,
conflicts of interest, intellectual property and copyright, data
governance and archiving, use of artificial intelligence). * Work
with leadership and colleagues to ensure that organizational and
programmatic goals, strategies, priorities and decisions are
grounded in, and informed by, the best available science and
advance campaign goals and objectives. * Identify strategic
opportunities for new areas of research for the Program and
identify solutions to enable novel analytical or policy/litigation
work. * Identify strategic opportunities for collaborative work
across Program to develop and test evidence-based solutions for
policy, regulatory, and other decision-making challenges. * Lead or
support development of science-based products. Ensure accuracy,
credibility, readability, and timeliness of all written material. *
Participate and contribute to the S&A Group and support the
priorities of the Office of Science and Innovation. * Manage
research and analysis projects, including scoping, planning,
execution, and evaluation. Manage day-to-day and long-term
activities, budgets, contracts, coordinating project staff,
maintaining project transparency and communication with project
participants, programs, and the organization. Write, edit and
review peer-reviewed papers, reports, fact sheets, issue/policy
briefs, and other materials highlighting the results of various
analyses following UCS protocols for review, production, and
presentation of results. Help coordinate peer review by external
technical experts, and internal UCS scientific and analytic
products, and make necessary revisions before submitting for
publication. Tailor style and content of materials for technical
and/or general audiences, as appropriate. Apply research results
and conclusions to the formulation and development of public
policies, regulations, and political strategies to promote the
Program's goals. Carry out research objectives, policy approaches
and engagement with others that foster inclusiveness and deliver
greater benefits to underserved communities. Provide a supportive
and welcoming environment that addresses the needs of diverse
entities. Identify opportunities for broadening and diversifying
the voices engaging in Program-related decision-making venues and
equip new collaborators to engage successfully. Apply scientific
tools for advancing social equity. Assessment and Learning *
Understand and value accurate data for the assessment, learning,
tracking, and reporting of UCS's impact. * Routinely track the
impact of work to share with internal and external collaborators;
maintain and safeguard confidential UCS supporter and ally data. *
Maintain in-depth knowledge of, monitor, and assess current and
emerging research, trends in the field, and related
policy/regulatory issues, and apply learning to analysis and
advocacy activities. Campaign Support * Using expertise, supporting
the scoping, planning, design, and implementation of campaigns,
including identifying key partners, research questions, and policy
opportunities. * Collaborate with the Program's Campaign staff to
keep the campaign on track, assess new opportunities, respond to
changing conditions, and communicate key decisions. * Influence the
development and implementation of policies and strategies within
government and nongovernment institutions to advance campaign
goals; collaborate with UCS campaign and legislative staff to
develop and effectively promote UCS-supported positions with senior
government officials, legislators, regulators, opinion leaders,
non-traditional allies, coalition partners, public and media
representatives at local, state, regional, and national levels.
Expert Representation and Advocacy UCS employees in external-facing
roles must maintain awareness of the role as a representative of
UCS, ensure activities and statements enhance the organization's
reputation and credentials among press, public, and private
sectors, promote UCS, advance organizational objectives, and
improve funding opportunities. * Represent UCS, its values, and
positions in coalitions, conferences, workshops, collaborator
negotiations, testimony and congressional hearings, national and
state regulatory commissions, legislative committees, other
government agencies and commissions, market operators and other key
forums. * Establish and maintain alliances with advocates, other
organizations, community leaders, businesses, academics, and
researchers, including regulatory and legislative staff and
governmental agencies, to exchange information, provide technical
information/education and guidance, share resources, advance shared
objectives, engage in collaborative projects, and participate in
coalitions. * Represent UCS in the media, traditional and social;
work with UCS Communications staff to identify key media
opportunities, help draft materials, and serve as direct contact to
the media, including providing rapid response to media requests.
Respond to inquiries and comments from collaborators, media,
members, and the public about issues related to the Program's
mission. * Report research results and recommend research
directions in oral and written form to experts, public, media, and
congressional representatives. * Communicate and uplift UCS's
priorities online and through social media by writing blog posts,
web copy and other digital content. * Serve as an internal resource
to expand UCS staff expertise and visibility. Share research and
insights with UCS staff and collaborate on understanding and
applying that research to advancing UCS strategic priorities. *
Support and provide strategic thinking with respect to UCS's
fundraising and development efforts through donor meetings,
participation in meetings of the National Advisory Board, and other
efforts to cultivate relationships. Senior Designation * Provide
physical climate science expertise and thought leadership to
identify and carry out strategic opportunities for new areas of
research, especially for the Climate Accountability and Resilience
campaigns. * Lead and support the scoping, planning, design, and
implementation of C&E campaigns, including identifying key
collaborators, research questions, litigation or policy
opportunities and providing project management.* Serve as a lead
spokesperson on physical climate science topics for a variety of
internal and external audiences, including leading responses to
requests for physical climate science explanation and review, and
providing expert climate science advice for C&E projects.*
Strengthen UCS's leadership role on climate science and maintain
in-depth knowledge of, monitor, and assess current and emerging
research, trends in climate attribution and related scientific
fields, and related policy/regulatory/legal issues. * Maintain
scientific credentials and engage as an active member of the
climate scientific community by publishing in peer reviewed
journals, attending and presenting at scientific conferences,
serving as a journal reviewer, and providing the US public,
policymakers and campaign-specific audiences with accessible
information on climate science, impacts and solutions.Other Duties
as Assigned Up to 20% of any individual job may contain work that
is not specifically listed in this document. This may reflect
temporary assignments, individual professional development
opportunities (e.g., learning a new set of skills, participating in
a professional growth experience), and/or a requirement to serve in
an organizational citizenship capacity (e.g., participating in JEDI
activities, pitching in/volunteering for extra work, covering for a
colleague on leave). * Support and participate in UCS's internal
efforts to create an anti-racist and inclusive work environment.
Contribute to creating a culture in which all staff on the team are
safe, respected, and heeded, and BIPOC people thrive. People
Management AuthorityThis position may provide technical directions
to staff, interns, fellows, consultants, and volunteers allocated
to specific projects, as assigned. RequirementsQualifications and
ExperienceComparable training and/or experience can be substituted
for degrees when appropriate. * PhD. degree in a relevant field, in
life, physical, mathematical or social sciences, including
economics, medicine, or public health, engineers and people with
expertise in science, history, or science policy. Preference for
PhD in a relevant physical climate science field (for instance, in
atmospheric science or paleoclimatology, etc.).* 9+ years of
comparable and relevant experience, which could include
academic-related work experience. * Qualitative and quantitative
analytical skills, experience in designing and carrying out
scientific research and analysis that rely on relevant data science
techniques, with relevant coding language fluency (e.g. Python, or
equivalent). * Understanding of how science, economic and technical
analyses, and advocacy inform public opinion, public policy, and
litigation. * Innovation skills; ability to develop novel
applications for existing data streams. * Strong collaboration and
relationship-building skills, internally and with external partners
from various backgrounds. * Experience with coalitions, legislative
process, advocacy skills, and policy/planning analysis. * Excellent
writing and presentation skills; ability to communicate effectively
with technical experts and other professionals; ability to
communicate complex scientific matters to non-expert audiences. *
Project management skills. * Ability to work both independently and
in teams in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple
projects and deadlines. * Experience with incorporating equity,
inclusion, and justice into work/projects; demonstrated experience
centering equity in technical analysis. * Knowledge and familiarity
with racial equity and inclusion principles and how race and other
identities intersect in the work, particularly in scientific,
policymaking and environmental communities. Must be comfortable
talking about identities such as race, ethnicity, sexual
orientation, class, ability and its present-day implications.
Physical Requirements* Must be able to remain in a stationary
position for long periods of time. * Continuously operate a
computer and must have the ability to control a mouse and keyboard.
* Communicate in verbal and written formats with internal staff and
external constituents. Work Schedule Regular business hours, which
may vary depending on time zone. Occasional work outside of
standard hours for events, travel, or time-sensitive matters
required. Travel Requirements Periodic domestic and international
travel is required. UCS is an equal opportunity employer actively
seeking to diversify its staff. We're dedicated to broadening
opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are
historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental
advocacy. We're also committed to building an inclusive workplace
culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can
thrive. We believe the inclusion of culturally diverse perspectives
will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental
outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised
communities. BenefitsDetailsThis is a full-time remote position.
For those who meet all position requirements, the salary is
$134,805.12. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work
environment. *CA Resident Only, we offer a 12% salary
differential*Information about the organization is available at
http://www.ucsusa.org. Comparable training and/or experience can be
substituted for degrees when appropriate.More about the team:Our
team is made up of a dedicated group of researchers, scientists,
communicators, campaigners, and advocates from wide-ranging
backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to building a diverse
and inclusive team and a collaborative and supportive work
environment where all staff can thrive. We continually strive to
create an environment which is a welcoming place for the LGBTQ+
community, people of color, parents, empty-nesters, and people with
a wide variety of interests and backgrounds.To Apply: We know there
are great candidates who won't check all of these boxes, and we
also know you might bring important skills that we haven't
considered. If that's you, don't hesitate to apply and tell us
about yourself. Please upload a cover letter and resume. In the
cover letter, please confirm that the listed salary meets your
expectations. Upload materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone
calls, please. This position is in the bargaining unit.Covid
Mandate for New Hires:For in office roles, UCS employees must be
fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Employees are considered fully
vaccinated as defined by the CDC. All new hires who will be
reporting to an office location must provide notice of their
vaccination status and vaccination documentation, on or before
their first day of work. For all others, UCS strongly encourages
full vaccinations among its employees, up to and including booster
shots, even if working remotely.All new employees must comply with
the mandatory vaccination requirements outlined in UCS policies as
soon as practicable. The Union of Concerned Scientists will notify
candidates for employment of the requirements of this policy before
the start of employment.Deadline: Until filled.
Keywords: Union of Concerned Scientists, Washington DC , Senior Climate Scientist, Other , Washington, DC
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