Research Scholar

Stanford University School of Medicine; Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 93,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability is recruiting for a scientist to advance natural capital assessments and ecosystem service modeling on multi-country development initiatives. The role involves cross-disciplinary collaboration with researchers, policymakers, and international partners on land- and sea-scape analyses.

The position emphasizes writing reports and publications, guiding junior researchers, and contributing to high-impact policy guidance while working in a hybrid setup on

Qualifications

• PhD in ecology, hydrology, or environmental economics
• Collaborate effectively within and across teams
• Excellent written and verbal English communications
• Adaptable to changing priorities in a matrix environment
• Strong quantitative and qualitative analysis skills

Responsibilities

• Work with scientists, analysts, consultants, and policymakers in 6 focal countries on development plans for nature-positive outcomes
• Co-create natural capital information for decision makers
• Model land/sea-scapes to assess changes in benefits to people
• Lead interdisciplinary natural capital assessments informing policy
• Advance ecosystem service modeling and publish findings
• Help lead engagements in 1-2 countries
• Guide postdocs and team members to ensure project success

Skills

Collaboration

Independent work

English communication

Matrix management

Quantitative & qualitative analysis

Education

PhD in ecology/related field

Tools

R

Python

Job description

Job Description

This position has been deemed critical by the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability Dean’s Office and is exempt from the hiring pause.

This position is based on Stanford’s main campus with consideration given to the option for a hybrid work schedule (partially onsite and offsite), subject to operational need.

This is a one-year fixed-term position.

Interested candidates must include a resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.

About Us

The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability strives to create a future when humans and nature thrive in concert and in perpetuity. The school is made up of a three-part structure to drive global impact: Our academic departments and programs educate students and create new knowledge across areas of research that are crucial for advancing the long-term prosperity of the planet and people; Institutes bridge scholarship at Stanford and beyond, bringing multiple viewpoints to bear on urgent challenges; The Sustainability Accelerator drives new policy and technology solutions through a worldwide network of partners who work with our teams to develop solutions at a global scale. The school is dedicated to creating and supporting a community with the richness of experience and background needed to create solutions that benefit all people, particularly those most affected by environmental damage and climate change.

Your Responsibilities Will Include

• Support a new effort designed to work with scientists, analysts, consultants, and policymakers in 6 focal countries implementing national-scale development plans that lead to nature-positive outcomes using well-established natural capital mechanisms
• Co-create actionable natural capital information for decision makers in complex government and International Finance Institution processes
• Conduct analytical work with in-country teams modeling how changes in land- and/or sea-scapes might change the flows of benefits to people and/or help build capacity
• Work in interdisciplinary teams to co-develop, scope, identify, and conduct natural capital assessments that inform policy and management decisions
• Advance science frontiers in ecosystem service modeling, consistent with the scholar's expertise
• Write reports and peer-reviewed publications
• Help lead engagements teams in 1-2 countries
• Work with project leaders to guide postdoctoral scholars and other team members to ensure overall project success
• The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field (e.g., ecology, hydrology, environmental economics)
• Ability to collaborate as well as work independently in line with project goals
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• Ability to work effectively in a matrix management context and adapt to changing priorities/needs
• Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills

In Addition, Our Preferred Qualifications Include

Note: Having one or more of the following qualifications is an asset, but we do not expect a single candidate to have all the qualifications listed here.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in Spanish or Portuguese
• Experience working in/with MDBs/IFIs
• Strong publication record
• Ability to travel internationally to meet with project collaborators
• Experience working in participatory processes
• Experience in decision analysis and support processes
• Teaching experience
• Experience in geospatial modeling and GIS
• Experience in R, python, or another scientific programming language
• Experience collaborating on and documenting, sharing, and managing code with version control
• Leadership experience
• Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources by submitting a contact form .

The expected pay range for this position is $93,000 to $148,000 per annum.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.