Scientist, Research Scientist

Scientist

Permanent

Climate and Energy

Union of Concerned Scientists

Remote/Washington, DC

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 promotes a voice for all in government decisions.
• Action inspiring and mobilizing people to build a healthier, safer, and more just world.

The Scientist position provides thought leadership, science direction, and technical and analytical support to advance the mission of the Nuclear Safety Project within the Climate and Energy Program. Scientists contribute to the development of Theories of Change, design research objectives and strategies, critically evaluate empirical evidence, and represent UCS, its values, and positions in science advocacy initiatives. This position carries out research, including publishing in peer‑reviewed journals, and aids in background research, planning, and preparations for the Program’s projects related to scientific integrity and other mission‑critical areas, and works collaboratively with coalition and grassroots partners.

The Scientist serves as a spokesperson and technical expert representing UCS in public forums and with media, policymakers, regulators, and other decision‑makers.

UCS employees center their work on UCS’s core values of 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.

• Design and implement research and analysis in accordance with upholding principles of scientific excellence (e.g., regarding plagiarism, conflicts of interest, intellectual property and copyright, data governance and archiving, use of artificial intelligence).
• Work with leadership and colleagues to ensure that organizational and programmatic goals, strategies, priorities, and decisions are grounded in, and informed by, the best available science and advance campaign goals and objectives.
• Identify strategic opportunities for new areas of research for the Program and identify solutions to enable novel analytical or policy work.
• Identify strategic opportunities for collaborative work across the Program to develop and test evidence‑based solutions for policy, regulatory, litigation, and other decision‑making challenges.
• Lead or support development of science‑based products focused on nuclear power safety and security trends, both domestically and internationally. Ensure accuracy, credibility, readability, and timeliness of all written material.
• Manage research and analysis projects on nuclear power and nuclear safety issues, including scoping, planning, execution, and evaluation. Manage day‑to‑day and long‑term activities, budgets, contracts, coordinating project staff, maintaining project transparency and communication with project participants, programs, and the organization.
  Write, edit, and review peer‑reviewed papers, reports, fact sheets, issue/policy briefs, and other materials highlighting the results…