Sustainability Data Scientist - Climate Methodology

Transition Ventures; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 194,000 - 202,000; Full time

Job summary

Watershed is seeking a technico-science leader to develop and maintain built-in sustainability methodologies. You will translate climate science and GHG accounting standards into robust product logic, working with engineers, data scientists, and PMs to ensure rigor, auditability, and scalability.

You will interpret evolving standards, tackle complex data questions, and balance scientific rigor with usability. This role blends science, data, and software in a mission-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in climate science, environmental science, sustainability, industrial ecology, or a related quantitative field.
• 5+ years in corporate sustainability, sustainability consulting, carbon accounting, or related fields.
• A systems thinker who connects sustainability with business systems and identifies leverage points.
• Deep knowledge of GHG accounting standards and reporting frameworks; familiarity with ESRS is a plus.
• Able to read Python code and contribute to a codebase without being a software engineer.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and improve built-in sustainability methodologies translating science, GHG standards, and regulations into product logic.
• Collaborate with engineers, data scientists, and product managers to design rigorous, auditable features.
• Review methodology implementations, write clear specs, and help build tests for scientific correctness.
• Interpret evolving standards like the GHG Protocol and reflect them in Watershed’s product.
• Investigate complex questions at the intersection of science, data quality, and business context.
• Build pragmatic approaches to messy real-world data balancing rigor with usability and auditability.
• Explain methodology choices to customers, auditors, and stakeholders with clarity.
• Contribute to internal methodology standards and document decisions.

Skills

Python

SQL

Typescript

Systems thinking

Scientific communication

Education

Master’s or PhD in climate science or related quantitative field

Tools

Python

Job description

Watershed is seeking a technico-science leader to develop and maintain built-in sustainability methodologies. You will translate climate science and GHG accounting standards into robust product logic, working with engineers, data scientists, and PMs to ensure rigor, auditability, and scalability.

You will interpret evolving standards, tackle complex data questions, and balance scientific rigor with usability. This role blends science, data, and software in a mission-driven environment.