Opportunity

As an integral member of the science team, the Applied Climate Scientist supports the development and evaluation of nature-based solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation across the grasslands, forests, and freshwater ecosystems of the region. The Applied Climate Scientist serves as a thought partner alongside The Nature Conservancy conservation teams to use science and knowledge to direct climate-driven strategies, fill research and information gaps, and quantify carbon sequestration or GHG emission reductions. Projects could include evaluation of carbon stocks, developing carbon accounting and mapping products for specific conservation actions (e.g., restoration), evaluating effectiveness of adaptation approaches, or staying current on climate topics impacting our geography to advise TNC’s external affairs team. 

In this role, you will contribute to the Science Team’s communication goals by communicating scientific findings, literature, and knowledge syntheses to a diverse audience (including the general public, partners, media, and the scientific community). Communication outlets could include written reports, fact sheets, scientific publications, popular media stories, media interviews, and both formal and informal oral presentations. You will also provide technical and scientific leadership for climate mitigation and adaptation strategies and policy.

As the Applied Climate Scientist you will work with internal and external colleagues to collect and manage data for climate mitigation and adaptation projects. You will convene/facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations, conduct scientific surveys and research, record data, write reports and support donor engagement and develop proposals to support climate science information gaps or needs. Depending on the project, field work might be possible.

The Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota Chapter of The Nature Conservancy is focused on addressing the intertwined challenges of biodiversity conservation and tackling climate change. Nature-based solutions have the potential to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions while also improving conditions for both biodiversity and people.

The Applied Climate Scientist will be based somewhere in the three-state region of Minnesota, North Dakota, or South Dakota. Depending on location, hybrid in-office or flexible work arrangements are possible. The Applied Climate Scientist will be expected to travel occasionally to field offices or for partner meetings within and around the region. Travel frequency will be determined by project needs.

Responsibilities:

As the Applied Climate Scientist, you will contribute to an interdisciplinary team of scientists and staff with expertise in grassland, forest, and freshwater ecosystems and spatial and statistical analyses. You will have the opportunity to inform on the ground conservation actions across a diversity of landscapes and communities with a diverse set of partners and build the evidence base for our conservation work.

TNC is a global organization tackling climate change around the world. While focused on applying carbon accounting and adaptation strategies locally in the Tri-State chapter, you will have the opportunity to collaborate and connect with TNC colleagues working on similar nature-based solutions challenges in other places. In this position, you will take a lead role in informing our climate driven strategies and quantifying climate impacts and outcomes, working both independently and collaboratively with multiple TNC teams and partners. Through this work, you will build and maintain relationships and collaborations with a broad and diverse knowledge and conservation community.

Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in science related field and 2 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience leading and working with cross functional teams
• Experience synthesizing, interpreting, and communicating scientific information
• Experience preparing reports of findings
• Record of peer reviewed publications in scientific journals
• Experience working and communicating with a wide range of people
• Experience in carbon modeling or ecosystem carbon accounting
• Experience with common environmental science software applications (e.g., ArcGIS, R, Microsoft Office)

To apply for job ID 54062, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/.

Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.