Science Policy Advisor

Science Policy Advisor

TERM: 1-Year |
Climate and Energy |
Union of Concerned Scientists |
Remote |
Bargaining Unit Position:
Yes

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent nonprofit that applies rigorous, independent science to address global challenges. Through research, advocacy, and partnerships, we develop solutions and influence policy to safeguard the environment, promote justice, and ensure public health and safety.

• 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 to inspire and mobilize people to build a healthier, safer, and more just world.

This one‑year, grant‑funded role supports UCS’s mission to ensure robust, independent science informs public policy and decision‑making. The Science Policy Advisor will help reimagine and rebuild science policy infrastructure with a focus on climate change knowledge institutions, advancing equitable pathways to safety for a climate‑affected world.

• Contribute interdisciplinary analysis and strategic thinking across the broader initiative.
• Collaborate with colleagues to identify opportunities to strengthen public‑interest science institutions.
• Maintain continuity by tracking emerging work, coordinating collaborators, and documenting lessons learned.
• Support organizational learning, evaluation, and strategic planning related to the initiative.
• Coordinate work across the Climate Reserve and Reimagining Federal Science for Policy initiatives where appropriate.

• Develop analyses and practical recommendations that strengthen the institutions responsible for producing, governing, communicating, evaluating, and applying climate change knowledge.
• Identify opportunities to improve the effectiveness, legitimacy, equity, and public value of these institutions.
• Develop frameworks and recommendations that inform future governance, public investment, institutional reform, and implementation.
• Evaluate approaches that strengthen climate‑change knowledge institutions under changing political conditions.

• Identify opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, practitioners, policymakers, philanthropic organizations, civil society partners, and affected communities.
• Convene and contribute to collaborative processes that advance shared learning and institutional improvement.
• Build and maintain productive relationships across communities of practice.
• Synthesize collaborative discussions into actionable findings and strategic recommendations.

• Produce reports, briefing papers, presentations, blogs, and other written products that translate complex institutional questions into actionable insights.
• Contribute to scholarly, practitioner, and public conversations through writing, presentations, and collaborative engagement.
• Represent UCS at meetings, workshops, conferences, and other public forums where appropriate.
• Cultivate relationships with academic, governmental, nonprofit, philanthropic, and professional partners to advance UCS’s goals.

• Document lessons emerging from fellowship activities and associated initiatives.
• Develop recommendations that strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, institutional learning, and knowledge translation across UCS and partner organizations.
• Prepare transition materials that enable UCS and partners to sustain and build upon the fellowship’s work.
• Share learning internally and externally to improve future work.

• At least 7 years of experience demonstrating deep familiarity in the field.
• Experience integrating knowledge across scientific disciplines, governance, public policy, and practice.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct interdisciplinary research, analysis, or evaluation.
• Deep…