Early Career Scientific Research Assistant

Early Career Scientific Research Assistant

Physical Climate Risk

Falmouth, Massachusetts or Remote

SUMMARY:

Are you searching for an opportunity to research and share the impacts of climate change and its social justice consequences with decision makers? Are you inquisitive? Do you like to tell stories about how the world is changing with data? Then you’ve found the right opportunity!

Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell) is looking for an early career scientific research assistant to join our rapidly growing Physical Climate Risk Group.

In a typical week you will work with city and municipal leaders in the United States and abroad, asset management companies, influencers, environmental nongovernmental organizations and national security think tanks. Interesting...right?

Your work is focused on using global/regional climate model simulations and Earth observations to quantify future physical climate risk across a suite of climate perils. Everything from flooding to famines, hurricanes to heat stress, and sea level rise to severe wildfire risk.

A high level of quantitative literacy, familiarity with CMIP5/CMIP6 generation simulation experiments, “big data” analytics, and advanced programming skills—with emphasis on Linux and cloud-based computing on Google Cloud Platform and Google Earth Engine—are important in this role. 

Intellectually curiosity and a variety of opinions are welcomed by the Risk Group. If you are passionate about climate change and climate solutions, this is the job for you!

Responsibilities:

• Process and analyze multi-temporal geospatial data (with emphasis on NetCDF format), primarily climate model output and observations.
• Develop metrics of climate stress to inform physical risk and downstream consequences on human systems and the built environment.
• Consider societal impact of climate change, including environmental and climate justice inequities.
• Visualize current and future climate risk indices.
• Work in a highly collaborative, curious, cross-disciplinary environment with multiple internal and external partners.

Qualifications and Experience:

• M.S. (preferred) or B.S. (with commensurate experience) degree in atmospheric, climate or environmental science or applied statistics with demonstrated strong data analysis skills.
• Experience managing large data volumes for analysis and visualization in a Linux environment and/or Google Earth Engine and/or other cloud-based platform.
• Ability to develop programming code (e.g., R, Python, CDO, NCO, GEE), create and manage scientific workflows and learn new skills as needed.
• Knowledge and interest in global climate change and climate justice.
• Ability to assess and implement appropriate computational needs
• Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work both independently and in a highly collaborative environment.

Application Deadline: Until filled.

Desired Start Date: As soon as possible.  

Classification and Compensation: This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position, the salary range is competitive ($50K to $55K depending on experience). Woodwell offers a generous benefits package (health, dental, vision, four weeks of vacation, two weeks of sick leave, and retirement). This is a one-year fixed-term position. The position is funded for 3 years and we anticipate renewing fixed-terms annually.

Location: Falmouth, Massachusetts or remote.

Application Instructions: To apply, please email your cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references in one PDF to careers@woodwellclimate.org.  Please type RA-Risk in the subject line.

Located on a 10-acre campus near the village of Woods Hole, the Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell) is a private, non-profit research center. Woodwell is a leading source of climate science that drives the urgent action needed to solve climate change. Woodwell has 60+ staff members and is excited to welcome new employees to this work.

Woodwell is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information. Woodwell is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Woodwell

WE NEED ALL VOICES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change is the greatest challenge of our lifetimes. Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell) understands that the climate crisis—from causes to consequences—is inextricably linked with persistent social injustice. Effectively addressing either requires addressing both. The climate crisis demands that we bring to bear all of the knowledge, expertise, innovation, and creativity that we can collectively muster, and those who have been marginalized and disproportionately impacted must be heard.

The work Woodwell does—the questions we ask, the ways we seek answers, and the strategies we put forward—is stronger when shaped by a diversity of knowledge, perspectives, and experiences. We strive to welcome, respect, and amplify differing voices. We value individuals as they are, with all their differences in race, age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, language, and mental and physical abilities.

Woodwell acknowledges that our organization, and the scientific community more broadly, have a long way to go in living up to these ideals. We approach the work of improving our organization with the same ambition and commitment to systemic change that we bring to addressing climate change.

We will inevitably make mistakes, but we will continue to listen, learn, and do this critical work. We understand that this work requires an ongoing commitment from each and every one of us. We are actively engaged in building and sustaining an equitable and inclusive culture within our organization, and in fostering greater diversity in climate science.