Description
What We Can Achieve Together:
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Smithsonian Institution (SI) have launched an innovative partnership to advance sustainability research and shape a more resilient future through a cohort of jointly mentored postdoctoral scholars. Both organizations have a rich history of leveraging science, technology, and community engagement to advance solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges affecting people and nature. Building on a longstanding history of collaboration, TNC and SI are once again joining forces to drive cutting-edge research and innovation for a resilient and prosperous planet. This initiative will support cohorts of emerging scientific leaders, empowering them to work hand-in-hand with stakeholders to co-create evidence-based solutions that strengthen resilience. Each institution will host up to three Postdoctoral Fellows. While Fellows will be embedded in research and professional development activities across both organizations, they will be housed and receive HR support through their hiring institution.
This advertisement is for a postdoctoral fellowship based at The Nature Conservancy. The Postdoctoral Fellow will be co-mentored by a team of scientists from both TNC and SI, including at least one mentor from each organization. The fellow will play a key role in strengthening collaboration between the institutions by contributing to joint research agendas, shared work plans, and coordinated communication and advocacy.
The Postdoctoral Fellow joins a collaborative team working towards solutions to promote the protection and restoration of coastal wetlands, through the bridging of the recently launched Blue Carbon plus initiative of TNC's Climate and Ocean team and the Coastal Carbon Network of SI. They will be jointly mentored by The Nature Conservancy and Smithsonian Institution. The aim of the project is to improve understanding of coastal wetland dynamics and to build pragmatic pathways that promote their resilience, and the communities that rely on them. Specifically, the fellow will lead the following essential functions, (1) inventory, model and map drivers of change across coastal wetland ecosystems and identify spatial and temporal scales at which these changes take place, (2) Use these models to quantify where, when and how coastal wetlands will change under future scenarios, (3) Conduct quantitative assessments of additionality, permanence, and leakage, building data, and analytical tools to support the prioritization of site selection for blue carbon projects, and (4) Include other ecosystem service provisions within these models to assess other benefits of coastal wetlands and their contribution to resilience of coastal communities. More generally, they will design empirical strategies, identify data protocols to test hypotheses, compile large datasets, build digital models utilizing statistical (e.g., Python, R) and mapping tools (e.g., Google Earth Engine, ArcGIS Pro, QGIS), evaluate outcomes and contribute to the development of new theories of change. They will write up findings for peer-reviewed publications. They may administer and coordinate conservation activities and project management to inform programs within a business unit or region and scientific research. They will contribute to grant writing and other fundraising activities. They work hand-in-hand with a partner fellow based at SI quantifying coastal wetland carbon. They also contribute to TNC/SI partnership- and cohort-building and provide project updates regularly to program funders.
This is a 3-year term limited position, expected to start on or before October 1, 2025. The preferred location for this position is working on-site in Raleigh, NC, USA at North Carolina State University's Center for Geospatial Analytics. If working on-site in Raleigh, this position may be eligible for immigration assistance. Candidates may also work remotely from any country where TNC is authorized to work. Remote candidates must have authorization to work within the country where they are located and will not be eligible for immigration assistance.
Responsibilities and Scope
Deliver tools, data, analytical support, field services and training in support of TNC's Climate and Ocean global work
Review, draw methodological insights from and synthesize relevant scientific literature.
Manage and analyze data and write up findings for peer-reviewed publications.
Design experiments and collect data.
Develop visualizations for communicating research results.
Contribute to grant writing and other fundraising efforts.
Develop both internal and external partnerships and work collaboratively to support above functions and responsibilities.
May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, in hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
Develops scientific evidence for informed decision-making on conservation opportunities and priority areas for restoration/conservation.
Incorporate cross-disciplinary knowledge to support project objectives.
May involve domestic and international travel up to 25% of the time.
Are you looking for a career to help people and nature? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together. We're looking for someone who is passionate, motivated problem-solver. Come join TNC and apply today!
What You'll Bring:Ph.D. in a natural or social science discipline relevant to conservation science, awarded by start of the position (and no longer than 4 years prior) and at least 1 to 2 years of related experience.
Expertise in geospatial modeling, spatial statistics, or remote sensing
Knowledge of coastal wetlands ecology or land change dynamics
Experience synthesizing scientific literature, and in writing peer-reviewed publications.
Experience collecting, manipulating, analyzing and interpreting scientific data.
Proficiency in spatial and statistical computing platforms like R, Python, Google Earth Engine, ArcGIS, GRASS GIS, QGIS, etc.
Strong writing and communication skills in English.
Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience is appreciated.
Experience working with large datasets
Experience with ecosystem services valuation, cost-benefit analyses, social and environmental impact assessments, or carbon markets
Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with team members and stakeholders in many partner organizations across geographies with the ability to work independently when required.
Ability to organize work effectively, conceptualize and prioritize objectives and exercise independent judgment based on an understanding of organizational policies and activities.
This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC's Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page under the FAQ section. Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.
Salary Information:This position may be based in any country where TNC has an established entity, taking into consideration legal restrictions, such as non-national ratios and immigration processing times. For U.S. based applicants only, the starting pay range for this position is generally within the range of $64,100 - $73,440 for annual base salary and is based on location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. For all other applicants, pay ranges will be in local currency, the pay range will be based on the local labor market, and not tied to the above pay range. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment and used to determine your actual pay range. Additionally, for all applicants, actual pay will fall within a range based on a variety of factors including, for example, the candidate's qualifications, specific skills, and experience.
Who We Are:
The Nature Conservancy's mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We're rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it's career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there's lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube or on Glassdoor.
Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we'll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we'd love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you'll join for our mission, and you'll stay for our people.”
Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!
TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.
We're proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.
Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!
TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
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