Oceans Climate Scientist (Any EDF Office)

With world attention focused on both the environment and the economy, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is where policymakers and business leaders turn for win-win solutions. This leading green group, with programs from Boston to Beijing, has tripled in size over the past decade by focusing on strong science, uncommon partnerships and market-based approaches. You can be part of a vibrant workplace that welcomes diverse perspectives, talents and contributions, where innovation and a focus on results are a way of life.

The goal of EDF's Oceans Program is to help build resilient oceans that provide more fish in the water, more - and more secure - food on the plate and more prosperous fishing communities, all over the world, even with climate change.  In recent years, we have focused on transforming fisheries management in the U.S., China, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Belize, Cuba and Europe, working in partnership with diverse stakeholders and coastal communities. Scientific priorities include developing new approaches to understand and address the effects of climate change on marine ecosystems, including not only resilient fisheries, but also complementary engagements that enhance marine and coastal ecosystem resilience and human wellbeing, especially for disadvantaged and vulnerable populations.  

Overall Function

Under the supervision of the Senior Oceans Climate Scientist, the Oceans Program seeks a recent Ph.D. recipient to work collaboratively with other EDF scientists, economists, and program experts to help develop and advocate science-based, economically sound, fair and equitable environmental solutions, focused on attaining ocean climate resilience.  The Scientist will work closely with the EDF Oceans Science Team on scientific priorities such as assessing fisheries and ecosystem status, analyzing management interventions and strategies suited to fisheries in a changing climate, and identifying strategies to build resilience to climate change across the socio-economic aspects of various fisheries.  

Key Responsibilities

• Researching priority topics to develop a firm foundation for high-impact engagements
• Creating new approaches and tools that help EDF staff and others solve priority problems and implement working examples in the field
• Providing scientific support on priority projects to field staff and partner organizations
• Working to expand scientific capacity in key regions, including leading and participating in training workshops and peer exchanges
• Publishing in the peer-reviewed literature
• Participating in scientific and marine conservation conferences and working groups
• Communicating results to key audiences
• Leading and mentoring research assistants, interns, and fellows
• Communicating results in conjunction with the Oceans Science Team
• Taking full responsibility for work planning and project implementation
• Additional relevant responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

• Ph.D in marine ecology, fisheries science, climate science or related field
• Post-doctoral experience in applied marine ecology, ocean climate science or related field
• Strong quantitative skills (statistical analysis, modeling, spatial analysis)
• The ability to communicate complex ideas to a general audience in writing and orally
• Field experience in fisheries or marine ecology
• Field experience working directly with coastal communities, especially with vulnerable populations
• Demonstrated capacity for carrying out several independent projects simultaneously
• Experience in strategic planning and research in support of strategic planning; leadership of research projects; presentations at scientific conferences
• High level of creativity and mastery of sophisticated analytical methods
• Expertise in international, particularly Asian, fisheries is a plus

Environmental Defense Fund is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.