WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER:

The Science for Nature and People Partnership (SNAPP), a collaboration between The Nature Conservancy and Wildlife Conservation Society, has joined the Doris Duke Foundation in an innovative partnership known as the SNAPP Innovation Hub to develop strategies and priorities to advance nature positive solutions in the United States. The SNAPP Innovation Hub combines one regional and two distinct perspectives on US national priorities through interdisciplinary working groups led by Principal Investigators (PI’s) holding positions at different institutions in the US. All working group members will convene October 20-24, 2025, and Fall 2026 at a pre-arranged time and place to both pursue their independent agendas and intentionally cultivate cross-group synergies. The Nature Conservancy is seeking three full-time post-doctoral Research Fellows, each with a unique set of skills and experience. The Research Fellows will coordinate working group research and coalition building, as well as administering arrangements for working group convenings and work products.
All three SNAPP Research Fellows will be hired by The Nature Conservancy’s Global Science Business Unit’s Science Capacity Team and will report to the SNAPP Program Manager for working group coordination. Research will be conducted under the guidance of working group Principal Investigators and working group members. All SNAPP Research Fellows will be co-mentored by a team of scientists including the SNAPP Director and working group Principal Investigators.
The Quantitative Research Fellow will support SNAPP’s United by Nature: Pathways from Knowledge to Action working group, which seeks to synthesize the best available quantitative and qualitative data on the social and economic benefits of nature to US society to highlight these benefits in a way that enables action by diverse agents of change, including communities, Tribes, and small and large nonprofits. This Quantitative Research Fellow will focus on a “synthesis sprint” to produce novel, peer-reviewed economic analyses of nature’s benefits to (and contributions to) people.
This opportunity is intended for Ph.D. post-graduates as the next immediate step in their scientific career. The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. in a related science field with the Ph.D. awarded by the start date of the position, with demonstrated subject matter expertise related to the specific working group focus. They have an interest in conservation science, both ecological and human dimensions, and desire to contribute towards innovative and impactful science that will enhance scientific and conservation priorities and contribute to building resilience in the United States. They have experience working collaboratively, have diverse cultural experiences, and are keen to contribute to TNC and partner organization effectiveness as science-based organizations.
This is a 15-month term limited position, expected to start on or before October 1, 2025. The location for this position is flexible within the United States. The successful candidate will have authorization to work within the United States where they are located. Additionally, SNAPP Innovation Hub Research Fellows are required to attend two in-person Hub convenings (#1 Hillsborough, NJ, Oct 2025, #2 Location TBD, Oct/Nov 2026) and an in-person SNAPP Research Fellows cohort professional development and networking opportunity (Arlington, VA, early 2026).
This prestigious fellowship comes with additional opportunities funded through the SNAPP program and The Nature Conservancy’s Global Science, Science Capacity Team. All members of the cohort will have access to extensive training and professional development opportunities during their tenure.
The SNAPP Quantitative Research Fellow reviews and synthesizes scientific literature and existing datasets to advance the research questions of the United by Nature working group. They analyze data, write reports, and develop proposals to support conservation efforts. They may design empirical strategies, identify data protocols to test hypotheses, evaluate outcomes and contribute to the development of new theories of change. They collect, manage, and analyze data and write up findings for peer-reviewed publications. They coordinate the project management of their working group’s research and are responsible for meeting arrangement administration for their working group, including, but not limited to managing virtual meeting platforms and coordinating flights, hotel reservations and reimbursements, as well as engaging facilitators and supporting meeting agenda creation and execution. They also contribute to the broader Innovation Hub synthesis and cohort-building and provide project updates regularly to communications staff and program funders.

WE’RE LOOKING FOR YOU:

Are you looking for a career to help people and nature? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together. We’re looking for someone who is passionate, motivated problem-solver. Come join TNC and apply today!

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• PhD in geography, ecological economics, environmental science, or related interdisciplinary science.
• Experience with interdisciplinary research questions and mixed methods.
• Proficiency in GIS and geospatial analysis and with ecosystem service valuation.
• Experience with participatory workshops and/or in supporting the co-development of knowledge products for diverse audiences.
• Knowledge of North American ecosystems and human-environment interactions.
• Knowledge of computer technology and common software applications.
• Experience that demonstrates attention to detail.
• Experience working collaboratively across multiple stakeholders including non-scientists.
• Ability to organize work effectively, conceptualize and prioritize objectives and exercise independent judgment based on an understanding of organizational policies and activities.

WHO WE ARE :

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube or on Glassdoor .
Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

• Review and draw insights from and synthesize relevant scientific literature.
• Manage and analyze data and write up findings for peer-reviewed publications.
• Develop visualizations for communicating research results.
• Deliver tools, data, analytical support to staff and partners.
• Work collaboratively across working group leadership, members, advisors, and other Innovation Hub working groups though influence and building professional relationships.
• Undertake internal partnerships and collaborations to support the above functions and responsibilities.
• Coordinate virtual and in-person meeting arrangements, including, but not limited to scheduling and managing virtual meeting platforms, and coordinating flights, hotel reservations and reimbursements for in-person meetings.