Senior Climate Scientist

Company: Ucsusa
Location: Washington
Posted on: April 6, 2025

Job Description:

Senior Climate ScientistPermanentClimate & EnergyUnion of Concerned ScientistsRemoteBargaining Unit Position: YesOur OrganizationThe 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.
• 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.
• Lead or support development of science-based products. Ensure accuracy, credibility, readability, and timeliness of all written material.
• Manage research and analysis projects, including scoping, planning, execution, and evaluation.
• 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.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 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, support 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.Expert Representation and Advocacy
• 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.Senior Designation
• Provide physical climate science expertise and thought leadership to identify and carry out strategic opportunities for new areas of research.
• Lead and support the scoping, planning, design, and implementation of C&E campaigns.
• Serve as a lead spokesperson on physical climate science topics for a variety of internal and external audiences.Qualifications and Experience
• PhD. degree in a relevant field, in life, physical, mathematical or social sciences, including economics, medicine, or public health.
• 9+ years of comparable and relevant experience.
• Qualitative and quantitative analytical skills, experience in designing and carrying out scientific research and analysis.
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills, internally and with external partners from various backgrounds.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills.
• Project management skills.
• Ability to work both independently and in teams in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple projects and deadlines.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 ScheduleRegular business hours, which may vary depending on time zone.Travel RequirementsPeriodic 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.DetailsThis 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.To Apply: 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.
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Keywords: Ucsusa, Washington DC , Senior Climate Scientist, Other , Washington, DC