Description
What We Can Achieve Together:
The Science for Nature and People Partnership (SNAPP), a collaboration between The Nature Conservancy and Wildlife Conservation Society, has joined the Doris Duke Foundation in an innovative partnership, known as the SNAPP Innovation Hub, to develop strategies and priorities to advance nature positive solutions in the United States. The SNAPP Innovation Hub combines one regional and two distinct perspectives on US national priorities through interdisciplinary working groups led by Principal Investigators (PI’s) holding positions at different institutions in the US. All working group members will convene October 20-24, 2025, and Fall 2026 at a pre-arranged time and place to both pursue their independent agendas and intentionally cultivate cross-group synergies. The Nature Conservancy is seeking three full-time post-doctoral Research Fellows, each with a unique set of skills and experience. The Research Fellows will coordinate working group research and coalition building, as well as administering arrangements for working group convenings and work products.
All three SNAPP Research Fellows will be hired by The Nature Conservancy’s Global Science Business Unit’s Science Capacity Team and will report to the SNAPP Program Manager for working group coordination. Research will be conducted under the guidance of working group Principal Investigators and working group members. All SNAPP Research Fellows will be co-mentored by a team of scientists including the SNAPP Director and working group Principal Investigators.
The SNAPP Research Fellow will synthesize existing biophysical models and scientific literature related to the timing and extent of Gulf tidal wetland transformation along the Gulf coast counties of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas related to TNC’s Restoration, Adaptive Management, and Protection for Future Wetlands (RAMP for Wetlands) initiative. They will incorporate information about time scales, tipping points, biodiversity and socioeconomic information into TNC’s Gulf Resilient Coastal Sites (RCS) data set. The SNAPP Research Fellow will also conduct legal and policy research as well as coordination with agencies and partners.
This opportunity is intended for Ph.D. post-graduates as the next immediate step in their scientific career. The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. in a related science field with the Ph.D. awarded by the start date of the position, with demonstrated subject matter expertise related to the specific working group focus. They have an interest in conservation science, both ecological and human dimensions, and desire to contribute towards innovative and impactful science that will enhance scientific and conservation priorities and contribute to building resilience in the United States. They have experience working collaboratively, have diverse cultural experiences, and are keen to contribute to TNC and partner organization effectiveness as science-based organizations.
This is a 15-month term limited position, expected to start on or before October 1, 2025. The location for this position is expected to be in Mobile, Alabama at the University of South Alabama’s Stokes School of Marine & Environmental Sciences.
The successful candidate will have authorization to work within the United States where they are located. Additionally, SNAPP Innovation Hub Research Fellows are required to attend two in-person Hub convenings (#1 Hillsborough, NJ, Oct 2025, #2 Location TBD, Oct./Nov. 2026) and an in-person SNAPP Research Fellows cohort professional development and networking opportunity (Arlington, VA, early 2026). This prestigious fellowship comes with additional opportunities funded through the SNAPP program and The Nature Conservancy’s Global Science, Science Capacity Team. All members of the cohort will have access to extensive training and professional development opportunities during their tenure.
The SNAPP Innovation Hub Research Fellow reviews and synthesizes scientific literature and existing datasets to advance the research questions of the Future Tidal Wetlands working group. They analyze data, write reports, and develop proposals to support conservation efforts. They may design empirical strategies, identify data protocols to test hypotheses, evaluate outcomes and contribute to the development of new theories of change. They collect, manage and analyze data and write up findings for peer-reviewed publications. They coordinate the project management of their working group’s research and are responsible for meeting arrangement administration for their working group, including, but not limited to managing virtual meeting platforms and coordinating flights, hotel reservations and reimbursements, as well as engaging facilitators and supporting meeting agenda creation and execution. They also contribute to the broader Innovation Hub synthesis and cohort-building and provide project updates regularly to communications staff and program funders.
Responsibilities and scope
- Review and draw methodological insights from and synthesize relevant scientific literature.
- Manage and analyze data and write up findings for peer-reviewed publications.
- Develop visualizations for communicating research results.
- Deliver tools, data, analytical support to staff and partners.
- Work collaboratively across working group leadership, members, advisors, and other Innovation Hub working groups though influence and building professional relationships.
- Undertake internal partnerships and collaborations to support the above functions and responsibilities.
- Coordinate virtual and in-person meeting arrangements, including, but not limited to scheduling and managing virtual meeting platforms, and coordinating flights, hotel reservations and reimbursements for in-person meetings.
We’re Looking for You:
Are you looking for a career to help people and nature? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together. We’re looking for someone who is passionate, motivated problem-solver. Come join TNC and apply today!
What You’ll Bring:
- Ph.D. in a natural or social science discipline relevant to conservation science, awarded by start of the position (and no longer than 4 years prior) and at least 1 to 2 years of related experience.
- Experience reviewing and synthesizing relevant scientific literature.
- Experience collecting, manipulating, analyzing, interpreting, and visualizing scientific and geospatial data.
- Proficiency in ESRI’s ArcGIS platforms.
- Experience preparing reports of findings for peer-reviewed publications.
- Experience with grant writing or other fundraising efforts.
- Strong writing and communication skills in English.
- Excellent organization and communication skills
- Record of peer reviewed publications.
- Based in the United States with appropriate work authorization. Ability to travel to in-person Innovation Hub convenings and training opportunities (3-4 trips over 15 months).
Desired Qualifications:
- Knowledge or experience related to tidal wetlands
- Familiarity with programming and geospatial analyses in Python.
- Experience that demonstrates attention to detail.
- Experience working collaboratively across multiple stakeholders, including non-scientists.
- Ability to organize work effectively, conceptualize and prioritize objectives, and exercise independent judgment based on an understanding of organizational policies and activities.
Salary Information:
The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $57700– $66130. Actual pay will fall within the range and be based on a variety of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, specific skills and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.
Who We Are:
The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube or on Glassdoor.
Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”
What We Bring:
Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!
TNC offers a competitive, 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, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.
We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy’s background screening process.
Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!
TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
