World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a Natural Capital Postdoctoral Fellow

Major Function

The Natural Capital Project is a partnership among WWF and Stanford, University of Minnesota, The Nature Conservancy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Stockholm Resilience Centre. Through pioneering science, cutting-edge technology, and collaborative partnerships worldwide, the Natural Capital Project works to integrate the value nature provides to people into all major decisions. (Learn more at https://www.worldwildlife.org/projects/the-natural-capital-project). This position would be co-advised by the Global Biodiversity Lead Scientist Becky Chaplin-Kramer at WWF and Professor of Ecological/Environmental Economics Steve Polasky.

The Natural Capital Postdoctoral Fellow works closely with the Global Science team and with country offices throughout the WWF network to evaluate nature’s contributions to people, associated with WWF’s conservation strategies and management. This role uses a variety of qualitative and quantitative assessment approaches, modeling techniques, remote-sensing imagery and in-situ data to capture the delivery of benefits from nature-based solutions. The Natural Capital Postdoctoral Fellow also plays a key role in the Natural Capital Project partnership – an effort to map, measure, and value nature’s contributions to people using a diverse portfolio of modeling tools (including InVEST, the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs, the flagship tool of the Natural Capital Project).

• Leads and supports colleagues in conducting innovative interdisciplinary research, including modeling and data analysis, to synthesize data in a way that delivers practice- and policy-relevant information on nature’s contributions to people at relevant scales.
• Links economic analysis with ecological and other Earth science analysis to evaluate nature’s contributions to people in conservation and development contexts.
• Stays abreast of relevant scientific literature and shares important findings with the team.
• Develops compelling written and visual information to convey key results.
• Helps to identify opportunities and emerging science issues.
• Supports the development of proposals and reports.
• Coordinates with academic partners in the Natural Capital Project and scientists across the WWF network.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

*Please send Resume AND cover letter*

• This is a 2-year, limmited term position
• Based in San Francisco or St. Paul, MN is preferred (open to remote for the ideal candidate)
• A PhD (or equivalent relevant professional experience) in environmental economics, environmental science, or a related field – received within the last 5 years
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant, current research methods in natural capital modeling, mapping and synthesis.
• Competency with economic analytical techniques and using socioeconomic data (e.g., cost-benefit analysis, policy analysis and design of incentives, financial analysis, valuation of ecosystem services)
• Competency in using code written in python and with GIS software and spatial analysis.
• Experience in science communications and proposal writing.
• Strong leadership, project management skills, and excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, visual and interpersonal communications skills in English.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a decentralized network with a culturally diverse and international team.
• Ability to travel internationally for work in the field as needed.
• Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values:
  • COURAGE – We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it’s needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home.
  • INTEGRITY – We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure that we learn and evolve.
  • RESPECT – We honor the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.
  • COLLABORATION – We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.

WWF is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and requires all US-based staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. WWF will consider requests for accommodation from the vaccine requirement based on disability, medical contraindication, sincerely held religious belief, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

To Apply:

• Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page, Requisition #24051
• Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone

As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status. WWF values diversity and inclusion and welcomes diverse candidates to apply