Atkinson Postdoctoral Science Fellow

at  Environmental Defense Fund

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 :

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.

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.