Biodiversity & Nature Markets Scientist

Overview

As part of the Biodiversity Credits Program at TNC, the Biodiversity Scientist will work with the Global Science Team to build the scientific foundation for strategies that engage emerging biodiversity markets. The role supports credible, equitable, and scalable biodiversity crediting, contributing to research publications and frameworks that strengthen understanding of functional and equitable biodiversity credit markets.

• Play a central part in advancing TNC’s science agenda for biodiversity credits, focusing on biodiversity measurement and accounting.
• Identify priority scientific gaps and research questions needed to scale positive biodiversity outcomes through responsible use of credits.
• Translate emerging biodiversity science into clear, actionable insights that inform strategy, policy, and market engagement across TNC.
• Evaluate and synthesize global biodiversity datasets and emerging monitoring technologies.
• Develop and articulate scientific narratives, frameworks, and foundations needed to strengthen integrity, coherence, and credibility of credits globally.
• Span highly collaborative applied research teams, engage with external scientific partners, write, and contribute to scientific community building.
• Contribute scientific expertise to biodiversity credit projects, assessing feasibility, risks, and outcome integrity from early design to implementation.
• Consider biodiversity market design principles, including demand signals, fungibility, and scalability across regulated and voluntary contexts.

• Master’s Degree in a science‑related field and at least 4 years of experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Demonstrated record of peer‑reviewed publications in relevant high‑impact journals.
• Knowledge of compliance and voluntary nature markets, nature‑positive initiatives, or nature finance.
• Experience manipulating, analyzing, and interpreting statistical or environmental data.
• Experience fundraising and/or writing grants and research proposals.
• Experience leading or participating on cross‑functional teams.
• Experience managing complex projects, including financial aspects and coordinating peers and partners.
• Experience working and communicating with a wide range of people.

• PhD with 1–3 years post‑doctoral experience.
• Multi‑language skills and cross‑cultural experience.
• Experience in interdisciplinary science efforts that balance the rigors of science with pragmatic needs of practitioners and policy experts.
• Familiarity with credit standards bodies, certification schemes, market governance, voluntary corporate nature disclosures and targets, or nature‑positive accounting approaches.
• Ability to convene and facilitate multi‑stakeholder groups and build working relationships across disciplines.
• Experience with rapidly evolving biodiversity science technologies, such as agentic systems, eDNA, acoustic monitoring, camera traps, and associated data, MRV, and biodiversity metrics.
• Experience exercising independent scientific judgment in defining research approaches and analytical methods.
• Ability to work across global time zones and willingness to travel.

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within $109,700 – $113,900

USD for employees in the United States. Pay for international candidates is based on local market conditions.

TNC offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, and other health and well‑being benefits.

Location is negotiable for TNC established NGO locations. No immigration/visa sponsorship or relocation assistance will be provided.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We actively encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures to apply.