Science Fellow; Grant Funded

Science Fellow (Grant Funded)

TERM:
Max 2 Years

Western States

Union of Concerned Scientists

Remote

Bargaining Unit Position:
Yes

Our organization

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent nonprofit that puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future. We envision a peaceful, healthy, and just world where science serves people and the planet by guiding policy decisions, reducing risks, and improving lives.

For over five decades, we have been working as scientists, engineers, economists, advocates, and everyday people to create and advocate for innovative, practical solutions to some of our planet's most pressing problems-from combating global warming and developing sustainable ways to feed, power, and transport ourselves, to fighting disinformation, advancing racial equity, and reducing the threat of nuclear war. Values informing our work include:

• Science in the service of people and the planet.
• Justice and Equity for people of all races and incomes-now, and for future generations.
• Courage to take principled, science-based stands in the public arena.
• Integrity to always examine evidence critically, openly, and honestly.
• Democracy to promote a voice for all in government decisions.
• Action inspiring and mobilizing people to build a healthier, safer, and more just world.

UCS's Western States Program

Under the direction of the Climate Science Director, the Science Fellow will conduct research and analysis and expert representation in support of two foundations that are grant-funded and term-limited projects. The first project housed in the Western States Program explores questions at the intersection of just land transitions, clean energy transitions, and climate resilience, primarily in California's Central Valley.

The second focuses on a climate-resilient grid in collaboration with the Climate and Energy Program transmission team's science-based advocacy for grid infrastructure planning and investments. The ideal candidate will have strong training in applied climate science, with interdisciplinary knowledge and experience in clean energy and power sector infrastructure and markets. The fellow will have explicit responsibilities for both projects, with on average 50% of the time spent on each, which will vary as project timelines demand.

The Fellow will also be expected to communicate their learnings and findings and advocate for technology and policy solutions to build broader knowledge and support for a climate-resilient grid, in the context of California's just land transitions. In sum, this position carries out research including publishing in peer-review journals, and aids in background research, planning, and works collaboratively with coalition and grassroots partners, as project scope demands.

UCS employees center their work on UCS's core values, including racial equity and environmental justice.

They work collaboratively to ensure the effective operations of the program/department, center anti-racism and equity in internal and external work, and foster a welcoming, inclusive, and transparent environment where all staff can thrive and grow.

Research and analysis

• Contribute to future project scoping in coordination with Just Land Transition allies and aligned with UCS's recent Roadmap (outlining guiding principles and recommendations), to advance UCS's clean energy, water sustainability, and equity goals by driving a community-centered vision of agricultural land transition in the Central Valley.
• Provide analytical and project support as needed as part of ongoing Western States program projects, e.g.,a co-developed community needs assessment for just land transitions with UCS's Western States program NGO partner.
• Work closely with the Western States Energy team to evaluate the climate resilience of California grid planning and investment decision processes and support team engagement with the California Public Utilities Commission, which oversees these. This may include evaluating existing transmission systems and busbar mapping processes (mapping electricity generation or storage resources to the transmission system), to assess the extent to which they plan for climate change.
  
  With the team, make recommendations for improvements and identify lessons learned from beyond California as appropriate.
• Work closely with C&E's Associate Director, Transmission Policy to support UCS interventions at relevant regional transmission operators (e.g. Midcontinent Independent System Operator or MISO) and MISO's external consultation processes to advocate for the best available climate science and advanced climate modeling tools to be integrated into MISO and state-led long-term planning processes and to create a consistent and informed drumbeat of advocacy within MISO spaces for more transparent, science-driven climate risk assessments and climate informed planning processes.
• With UCS staff, lead/design a set of expert dialogue convenings that bring…