Senior Social Scientist
SENIOR SOCIAL SCIENTIST
BOSTON, NEW YORK CITY OR WASHINGTON, DC
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 Office of Chief Scientist is the nexus of science at EDF, ensuring that the natural and social science that is the backbone for all EDF policy positions is based on the best available information. To be most effective in this role the Office of Chief Scientist provides programmatic support for all scientists at EDF and fosters relationships with scientists outside the organization.
Overall Function
The Senior Scientist will be a key team member in the Office of Chief Scientist team. Reporting to the Chief Scientist, the Senior Scientist will advise program staff across the organization on a breadth of environmental topics.
As a senior social scientist at EDF, the Senior Scientist will focus on introducing and integrating cutting edge social science concepts into EDF's work. Working with EDF's economists, attorneys and natural scientists, the Senior Scientist will lead the strategy for applying diverse social science concepts to EDF's programmatic work.
Key Responsibilities
With other staff scientists, help maintain the scientific integrity of EDF's work.
Advise program staff on new and existing scientific perspectives related to EDF's advocacy efforts.
Provide assistance to scientists throughout the organization on their work.
Design, lead and advocate for an effort to integrate social science into EDFs program work where appropriate.
Mentor scientists at EDF.
Represent EDF in a variety of settings, including state and federal legislatures, state and federal agencies, meetings with corporate executives, and meetings with other eNGOs.
Effectively translate and distill complex scientific concepts into accessible language for EDF donors and members.
With the Office of Chief Scientist, help keep EDF at the cutting edge of science in all relevant environmental disciplines.
Maintain and build ties to the academic/research communities, through outreach, presentations at workshops and conferences, informal contacts, etc.
Maintain an involvement in publishable research that can inform EDF's work.
Qualifications
PhD in a social science field and minimum 5 years work experience
Established publication record conducting research in relevant discipline
Demonstrated record of scientific work
Superior oral and written communication skills
Desire to work at the interface of scholarship and advocacy
Strong connections to the academic community in relevant fields
Ability to work with and communicate effectively with non-academics and non-scientists
Ability to work as a member of a highly collaborative team in a fast-paced environment
Department/ Location
Boston, New York City or Washington, DC
Start date
This position will begin no earlier than March 1, 2012
Due to the volume of employment applications and queries received, EDF is unable to respond to each application individually. Applicants will be contacted directly if selected as a candidate.
http://www.edf.org/jobs/senior-social-scientist-2
Environmental Defense Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Cynthia Frantz
Associate Professor of Psychology
Oberlin College
United States
