Climate-Ocean and Coastal Law & Policy Research Specialist Climate-Ocean and Coastal Law & Poli
Listed on 2026-09-09
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Research/Development
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Law/Legal
Climate-Ocean and Coastal Law & Policy Research Specialist
Gulf of Maine Research Institute Remote
· Portland, ME, US 11 months ago
Job Type Full-time
Job Title: Climate-Ocean and Coastal Law & Policy Research Specialist
Supervisor: Dr. Janet Duffy-Anderson
Starting Salary Range: $90,000 - $100,000
Overview:
The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) develops and delivers collaborative solutions to global ocean challenges. We are dedicated to the resilience of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. This position directly supports the Institute’s four strategic initiatives :
Adapting Fisheries and Seafood, Building Climate Ready Communities, Supporting the Blue Economy and Working Waterfronts, and Supporting Energy Solutions, through the integration of ocean and climate science into legal and policy frameworks. To learn more, visit gmri.org.
Position
Description:
GMRI is seeking a Climate-Ocean and Coastal Law & Policy Research Specialist to investigate and analyze how climate, ocean, and environmental science can inform and interact with legal, regulatory, and broader governance frameworks (e.g., fisheries law, coastal zone management, working waterfront protection, managed retreat, and/or marine CO2 removal). This individual will work in close collaboration with GMRI scientists, program managers, and external partners to examine how scientific knowledge is incorporated into laws, policies, and regulatory decision-making, effectively bridging science and law.
The individual will evaluate barriers and opportunities for translating science into governance tools and will help design strategies that strengthen ocean-climate resilience through law and governance.
The successful candidate will bring a foundation in environmental or ocean and coastal law (J.D. or PhD preferred; commensurate experience considered), a demonstrated ability to work across legal and scientific domains, and a passion for place-based, community-engaged climate solutions in the Gulf of Maine. The role includes regular engagement with ocean users, public and private coastal property owners and managers (especially working waterfronts), policy researchers, and policymakers across jurisdictional scales.
This position enjoys 18 months of fully encumbered institutional salary support thanks to a generous philanthropic gift, enabling a secure runway as the incumbent gets established. Thereafter, the incumbent will have primary responsibility for working collaboratively to sustain the position through competitively awarded grants or other fundraising efforts. This is a full-time (100% FTE) position located in Portland, ME, USA.
This position is classified as a Pay Grade 8 role. The salary range for this grade is $68,100-$122,700, and we have budgeted compensation at $90,000- $100,000 commensurate with experience.
Responsibilities/ Tasks:- Conduct legal and policy research to assess how climate, ocean, and environmental science can inform laws, regulations, and governance related to Gulf of Maine’s fisheries, working waterfronts, and/or coastal infrastructure.
- Develop legal and policy frameworks that support climate adaptation and resilience.
- Identify barriers and opportunities for integrating scientific knowledge into legal and regulatory frameworks.
- Collaborate with GMRI scientists and external partners to ensure science-based grounding in all policy outputs.
- Translate ocean and climate research into accessible policy briefs, legal guidance, and practical recommendations for stakeholders.
- Engage in field-based work with coastal stakeholders, tribal governments, and communities to inform policy from the ground up.
- Monitor relevant legal and regulatory developments.
- Participate in state and regional working groups on marine spatial planning, marine renewable energy, infrastructure siting, and/or ecosystem resilience.
- Pursue competitive grant funding and/or philanthropic partnerships in collaboration with GMRI’s Development team.
- Participate in policy coalitions, legal forums, and public meetings throughout the Gulf of Maine region.
- Engage with the media and public through various forms of communication.
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