Senior Research Scientist, Sustainability, WW Sustainability

Amazon; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 159,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

Amazon is seeking a Senior Research Scientist to advance science for value chain decarbonization and establish benchmarks and validation methods. You will independently lead assessments across Amazon businesses, develop quality frameworks, and scale environmental interventions while maintaining rigorous science.

The role requires leadership in research design, data collection, modeling, and collaboration with procurement and sustainability teams to translate methodologies into operations.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of investigating the feasibility of applying scientific principles and concepts to business problems and products
• Knowledge of R or Python
• Experience communicating qualitative research methods and findings to non-qualitative researchers
• Knowledge of quantitative approaches (e.g., t-tests, regressions, ANOVAs, etc.)
• Experience with carbon markets, including additionality concepts, baseline-setting, monitoring/reporting/verification (MRV), registry systems, or environmental attribute certificates
• Domain expertise in agricultural emissions, soil carbon dynamics, biogeochemistry, or land use change assessment
• Experience with risk assessment and uncertainty quantification in environmental systems
• Knowledge of environmental policy and regulatory frameworks (AIM, GHG Protocol, ISO standards)
• Extensive experience using life cycle assessment (LCA) databases and techno-economic analysis (TEA)

Responsibilities

• Develop quality assessment frameworks for environmental interventions
• Build quantitative benchmark and statistical models
• Create attribution methodologies for supply chain interventions
• Develop social and environmental safeguard criteria
• Collaborate with procurement, sustainability operations, and business units
• Lead research activities including data collection, modeling, documentation, interpretation, and validation

Skills

Scientific principles application

R

Python

Qualitative research communication

Quantitative methods

Carbon markets & MRV

Environmental policy knowledge

LCA/TEA databases

Education

PhD or Master's + 5+ years quantitative field research

Tools

R

Python

Job description

Join us at the forefront of Amazon's sustainability initiatives to work on environmental and social advancements that support Amazon's long-term worldwide sustainability strategy. At Amazon, we're working to be the most customer-centric company on earth. To get there, we need exceptionally talented, bright, and driven people.

We are looking for a Senior Research Scientist to join our growing Sustainability team to drive the science behind value chain decarbonization. This role will establish Amazon's scientific methodologies for sector- and cross-sectoral decarbonization mechanisms and establish benchmarks for automated validation and risk assessment.

As a Senior Research Scientist, you will be responsible for independently leading assessments of environmental issues across the full spectrum of Amazon businesses and evaluating sustainability impacts across the value chain. You will independently develop quality frameworks and methodologies that enable Amazon to scale procurement of high-quality environmental interventions while maintaining scientific rigor and environmental integrity.

Key job responsibilities

• Develop quality assessment frameworks for complex environmental interventions, baseline-setting approaches, and measurement methodologies
• Build quantitative benchmark and statistical models that enable scalable evaluation across heterogeneous data sources
• Create attribution methodologies for supply chain interventions across Amazon's diverse footprint
• Develop social and environmental safeguard criteria that integrate community impact assessments
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including procurement, sustainability operations, and business units to translate scientific methodologies into operational requirements
• Work under the direction of senior business leaders while acting as lead Subject Matter Expert for value chain decarbonization science, including designing and leading research, data collection, modeling, documentation, interpretation, and validation

About the team

Diverse Experiences:

Worldwide Sustainability values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn’t followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don’t let it stop you from applying.

Inclusive Team Culture:

It’s in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon (inclusive diversity) conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.

Mentorship & Career Growth:

• 5+ years of investigating the feasibility of applying scientific principles and concepts to business problems and products experience
• PhD, or Master's degree and 5+ years of quantitative field research experience
• Knowledge of R or Python
• Experience communicating qualitative research methods and findings to non-qualitative researchers
• Knowledge of quantitative approaches (e.g., t-tests, regressions, ANOVAs, etc.)
• Experience with carbon markets, including additionality concepts, baseline-setting, monitoring/reporting/verification (MRV), registry systems, or environmental attribute certificates
• Domain expertise in agricultural emissions, soil carbon dynamics, biogeochemistry, or land use change assessment
• Experience with risk assessment and uncertainty quantification in environmental systems
• Knowledge of environmental policy and regulatory frameworks (AIM, GHG Protocol, ISO standards)
• Extensive experience using life cycle assessment (LCA) databases and techno-economic analysis (TEA)

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers.

If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign‑on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.

USA, CA, San Francisco - 183,000.00 - 247,600.00 USD annually

USA, NY, New York - 175,100.00 - 236,900.00 USD annually

USA, WA, Seattle - 159,200.00 - 215,300.00 USD annually