Atkinson Postdoctoral Science Fellow

Overview

Put your passion and skills to work for the planet. Climate change is the most urgent issue of our time, and we need people like you to help us build a vital Earth - for everyone.

We're Environmental Defense Fund, a fast-paced nonprofit with a growing staff of more than 1,000 people in nearly 30 countries. We deliver game-changing solutions that cut climate pollution and strengthen people's ability to thrive despite the effects climate change is already having. We work wherever we can have the most impact, from local communities to top companies to governments worldwide, and even in space.

Our culture, values and commitment to diversity make EDF an exciting and meaningful place to work. Every job here makes a difference. Won't you join us?

Responsibilities

Program Overview

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 Ocean Science Program is to deliver the science that will 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 the science behind robust transformations of 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.

Location

U.S. Remote, with possibility to work out of an EDF Office location (Austin, TX; Boulder, CO; Boston, MA; New York, NY; Raleigh, NC; San Francisco, CA; Washington D.C.), with travel to Cornell University and other EDF locations as needed. Fellow supervisors are in Boston, MA, Seattle, WA, and Ithaca, NY. Eligibility to work in the U.S. is required for the duration of the fellowship.

Term

This is a 2-year fellowship with an anticipated start date between July 1 and September 1, 2024.

Overall Function

The Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellow will develop a model to evaluate the food and nutrition provisioning implications of prospective commercial fisheries targeting mesopelagic (midwater) marine fishes and zooplankton for use in aquaculture feeds (e.g., fishmeal), and conduct a trade-off analysis of climate mitigation and food production goals from such fisheries. Specifically, the fellow will calculate the fishmeal production potential from fisheries in 1-2 geographies (potentially the California Current, Humboldt Current, and/or the North Atlantic), and calculate the potential protein and micronutrient yield of aquaculture species portfolios reflecting different management goals (e.g., maximize protein, maximize specific nutrients, maximize profit). This analysis would be integrated with ongoing modeling of the carbon sequestration potential of mesopelagic species, to enable a trade-off analysis. The fellow will determine the optimum level of harvest of mesopelagic species in each geography that could support food security provisioning and minimize disruption of carbon sequestration. This model and trade-off analysis will be developed into one or more academic journal articles, as well as policy briefs and communication materials to share with national and international fishery management bodies, industry representatives, and climate leaders.

The fellow will work with Dr. Julia Mason, Social-ecological Systems Scientist and Dr. Mattias Cape, Marine Biogeochemical Scientist at EDF, and Dr. Eugene Won, a fish biologist and aquaculture specialist at Cornell University. The fellow will be part of a cohort of postdoctoral and research fellows at EDF, and will collaborate closely with research partners at Cornell University as well as other research institutions. Continued professional development, training and mentoring by EDF & Cornell staff and partners will be provided.

Diversifying the next generation of sustainability scholars is a shared goal of Cornell Atkinson and EDF, and we strive to honor and value candidates' identity and experiences. We value lived experience, and so we encourage all applicants to apply even if 100% of the listed qualifications are not met.

Key Responsibilities

Tasks may include but are not limited to:

• Synthesize estimates of mesopelagic biomass and fishing potential in the selected regions.

• Synthesize nutrition content information on mesopelagic species to quantify the potential use of this fishery as an aquaculture feed commodity.

• Collaborate with biogeochemical modelers to weigh food provisioning estimates against carbon sequestration benefits.

• Develop an optimization analysis to characterize scenarios that maximize food security goals while minimizing climate impacts.

• Lead and participate in the preparation of manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

• Develop communications materials including policy briefs, one-pagers, infographics, slide decks, blog posts, and social media posts.

• Present findings at scientific conferences and to decision-making and industry audiences. This could include participation in fora such as Regional Fisheries Management Organization Meetings, the 2025 UN Oceans Conference, or COP29/30.

• Represent EDF and Cornell in external meetings with a high degree of professionalism.

• Participate in advancing EDF Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.

• Participate in the joint Cornell Atkinson and EDF Sustainable Leadership Program for postdoctoral fellows.

Qualifications

• A recent Ph.D. in a relevant field (e.g., biogeochemistry, fisheries science, marine ecology, sustainability science, natural resource management, natural resource economics, food systems modeling, nutrition, social-ecological systems). This position has the potential to weave together different disciplines, so we welcome candidates from diverse fields.

• Quantitative analysis and/or modeling skills strongly desired, such as food web, biogeochemical cycling, economic, or statistical modeling; optimization or trade-off analyses; or systems analyses such as fuzzy cognitive mapping, network analysis, etc.

• Programming experience (e.g., R, Matlab, Python) desired.

• Data visualization skills are a plus.

• Ability to work with wide range of environmental (e.g., oceanographic, biogeochemical, wildlife management, ecological) and/or nutrition (e.g., proximate composition analysis) datasets is a plus.

• Demonstrate excellence in rigorous scientific analyses and in oral and written communication of scientific concepts, especially for public and policy audiences.

• A track record of relevant research and presentations at scientific conferences, including at least one peer-reviewed publication (or manuscript currently under review) on a related topic or using relevant quantitative methodology desired.

• Ability to work independently, using independent judgment and initiative to plan, prioritize, problem solve, and organize workload in a fast-paced environment.

• An interest and commitment to solving environmental problems based on rigorous science and solutions-focused approaches.

• Interest and ability to work in interdisciplinary collaborations.

• Must have the ability to travel domestically as needed.

• Demonstrate self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Application Materials

Interested applicants should attach a 2-page CV and a cover letter with their EDF application. The cover letter (< 1000 words) should include a description of the candidate's relevant experience, their interest in the subject matter, and a brief statement of the candidate's contribution and/or commitment to DEI. If applicable, please also provide reprints 1-3 of your most relevant and compelling publications (can include manuscripts in prep or in review, and scientific communication pieces).

Pay Ranges

We offer a strong total rewards package encompassing competitive salary, robust benefits, and professional development opportunities consistent with a modern global organization. We take into account factors such as candidate experience, skills, training, internal team equity and local norms.

The pay range for this role is shown below.

Please note that pay ranges are country specific. As a result, the stated currency is not meant be converted into any other currency.

Minimum Salary

USD $68,250.00/Yr.

Maximum Salary

USD $68,250.00/Yr.

EEO Information

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.