The Washington State Climate Office (WASCO) and the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group seek a full-time research scientist to expand the Office’s capabilities for co-producing high-quality information about climate change, climate change impacts, and its relevance to our local, state, and tribal partners.
Candidates who are passionate about our organizational mission and our co-production model are a must. We are seeking a candidate with the technical background needed to engage in applied research, synthesis, and analysis, along with demonstrated experience in successful communications and engagement. The candidate would be expected to independently lead specific projects or tasks, author/co-author papers and white papers, help identify and scope new project ideas, collaborate independently with external partners, and provide mentoring and supervision for staff and students on specific tasks or projects.
We are looking for a candidate who has a background in climate science or a related environmental field; who is familiar with the science and data related to past, current, and future climate; and can effectively communicate this information to a wide range of audiences. Most importantly, we are looking for a critical thinker who can work independently, rapidly expand into and understand new topic areas, and effectively engage with our partners in a variety of contexts. We hope to attract a candidate who is passionate about our use-inspired mission of co-producing science and the topics of climate variability and change. This is a full-time research position with no teaching expectations and no path to University tenure.
ABOUT US
Based at the University of Washington, WASCO works to support access to, and understanding of, information about the past, current, and future climate of Washington State. Officially established in 2003, the Office works to build regional capacity to use and apply climate information, advances innovative approaches to communication and engagement on climate science, and pursues impactful applied research topics of interest to our collaborators across the state. WASCO developed a new strategic plan in 2022, which can be viewed here: https://cig.uw.edu/2024/01/owsc-releases-new-strategic-plan
The Washington State Climate Office is housed within the Climate Impacts Group on the UW Seattle campus. CIG supports the development of climate resilience by advancing understanding of climate risks & enabling science-based action to manage those risks. Since 1995, the Climate Impacts Group has linked cutting edge scientific research with innovative approaches to community engagement to produce exceptional applied research products; develop strong relationships among resource managers, policy makers and communities in the region; and build regional capacity for addressing climatic variability and change.
WASCO and CIG are member organizations of EarthLab,a visionary institute that pushes boundaries to address our most pressing environmental challenges, with a focus on climate and its intersection with social justice. EarthLab does this by connecting faculty, students and researchers at the University of Washington to community collaborators in businesses, non-profits, public agencies, Tribal nations and others to co-produce actionable research that generates solutions and strategies for local and global impact. EarthLab’s vision, an equitable, just and sustainable world where people and the planet thrive, supports one of the University’s biggest goals. As a Carnegie-classified Community Engagement University, the UW aspires to be the #1 university in the world as measured by impact. EarthLab is inspired by and committed to this challenge.
The College of the Environment promotes diversity and inclusivity among our students, faculty, staff, and public. We are seeking candidates whose experiences have prepared them to fulfill our commitment to inclusion and have given them the confidence to fully engage audiences from a wide spectrum of backgrounds. The University of Washington (UW) is located in the greater Seattle metropolitan area, with a dynamic, multicultural community of 3.7 million people and a range of ecosystems from mountains to ocean. The UW serves a diverse population of 80,000 students, faculty and staff, including 25% first-generation college students, over 25% Pell Grant students, and faculty from over 70 countries. The UW is a recipient of a National Science Foundation ADVANCE Institutional Transformation Award to increase the advancement of women faculty in science, engineering, and math. See here.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The research scientist will independently lead and manage specific research projects or tasks; help identify and scope new proposals; develop, support, and maintain communications efforts; and assist with the administration and smooth functioning of the Office. This person will be responsible for analyzing and interpreting climate impacts data, synthesizing relevant science, and documenting results in both the grey and peer-reviewed literature. In addition to these research responsibilities, the new hire will participate in developing communications products including fact sheets, presentations, and visualizations; deliver presentations for select audiences; and help assess and develop priorities for WASCO engagement. In all efforts, they will independently evaluate project needs and identify key questions or issues, seeking out assistance from colleagues and peers when necessary. Although they will be expected to help identify and scope new proposals, this position will not be responsible for developing their own line of work. Applicants should be ready to learn about new topical areas and build new technical skills as needed to advance the work of the Office.
Research [60%]
• Independently lead specific projects or research tasks, including scoping, planning, evaluating and selecting methods, analysis, and reporting.
• Manipulate, analyze, and interpret data to support WASCO research;
• Identify, review, and synthesize relevant research on climate and impacts;
• Collaborate with academic researchers and external partners, through science synthesis, applied research, technical assistance, and other relevant activities;
• Support proposal development by evaluating technical feasibility and helping to scope efforts;
• Author or co-author reports, papers, presentations, new proposals, etc.
Communications and Engagement [30%]
• Lead collaborations with new and existing external partners;
• Develop and/or supervise the development of communication products (e.g., accessible reports, web content, annotated bibliographies, and fact sheets) for diverse audiences such as local, state, federal and tribal government staff, natural resource managers, water agencies, NGOs, and policy makers.
• Develop and/or supervise the development of data visualizations and tools in support of WASCO projects and communications.
• Deliver presentations for select WASCO audiences.
• Assist in evaluating and prioritizing WASCO collaborations and engagement.
• Support existing and new collaborations by contributing to engagement efforts.
Program Coordination [10%]
• Independently manage specific projects and tasks, including planning, coordination, and logistics;
• Help identify and develop new funding sources, and contribute to proposal development;
• Assist in responding to data, media, and other requests;
• Maintain open lines of communication with regular collaborators, including Climate Impacts Group staff;
• Mentor and supervise staff and students on specific projects or tasks.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s degree in climate science or a related field and four years of relevant experience.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
• Experience independently managing moderate-sized projects;
• Experience synthesizing scientific literature and data;
• Experience with scientific data analysis and associated software (e.g. python, R);
• Evidence of strong oral and written communication skills in engaging with diverse audiences;
• Demonstrated ability to problem-solve and quickly adapt to new challenges (e.g., new topic areas, analysis methods, software tools);
• Attention to detail and insistence on technical accuracy.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Master’s degree or the equivalent in knowledge and experience in climate science or a related field;
• Familiar with Washington state’s climate-related resources, issues and interested parties.
• Experience with applied climate science or impacts research;
• Experience with co-production and use-inspired research;
• Strategic and critical thinker; an energetic self-starter;
• Demonstrated effectiveness as a collaborator.
Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you log into your “My Jobs” page. If you choose to take it later, it will appear on your “My Jobs” page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.
