Chief Science Officer (CSO)
Location: Remote (with preference for west coast USA and ability to travel as needed)
Organization: TerrAdapt
Contract Type: Full-time exempt
Main Description: TerrAdapt is a non-profit organization with a mission to help our partners see the risks to biodiversity posed by our rapidly changing environment and act strategically to mitigate them. We empower communities and organizations with the data and tools they need to track emerging threats and opportunities at scale, see the pattern in the noise, communicate the need for action, and prioritize where to implement measures that ultimately foster functioning, diverse, and resilient natural systems.
The Chief Science Officer (CSO) is a pivotal role at TerrAdapt, responsible for leading our team in co-producing science with our partners to drive on-the-ground conservation actions that mitigate risks to biodiversity. The CSO will serve as the leading voice on science for TerrAdapt, ensuring the scientific rigor and innovation in all our projects and initiatives. This role requires a distinguished scientist and visionary leader who can inspire and lead an interdisciplinary team, forge strategic partnerships, help secure funding, and effectively translate complex scientific concepts into impactful solutions for conservation practitioners, policymakers, and communities worldwide.
Key Responsibilities:
I. Scientific Leadership & Strategy:
- Lead TerrAdapt's science team to deliver innovative and impactful solutions to our partners, in alignment with the organizational mission and evolving challenges in conservation science.
- Provide intellectual leadership for all scientific endeavors, ensuring methodological excellence, innovation, and relevance to real-world conservation science applications.
- Stay abreast of cutting-edge scientific advancements in ecological modeling, environmental science, and related fields, integrating new knowledge into TerrAdapt's strategies.
- Advise the Executive Director and Board of Directors on scientific matters, emerging science opportunities, and potential strategic shifts.
II. Research & Development:
- Lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of TerrAdapt's conservation science programs and partner co-production projects, ensuring scientific integrity, ethical conduct, and measurable impact.
- Lead the development of innovative tools, methodologies, and approaches for conservation science as needed to meet our partner's needs for information to drive action.
- Establish and maintain rigorous quality control standards for all scientific outputs, including data collection, analysis, modeling, and reporting.
- Identify and pursue opportunities for new research initiatives and scientific partnerships that enhance TerrAdapt's impact and reach.
III. External Engagement & Partnerships:
- Serve as a scientific representative to external stakeholders, including academic institutions, government agencies, scientific conferences, funders, and the media.
- Contribute to TerrAdapt's communications outreach efforts through public speaking engagements, social media posts, and website content creation.
- Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with leading scientists, research organizations, and policy bodies globally.
- Lead the scientific aspects of major grant proposals and fundraising efforts, articulating the scientific merit and potential impact of TerrAdapt's work to diverse funders.
- Present TerrAdapt's scientific findings and insights at national and international forums, contributing to broader scientific discourse and policy development.
IV. Team Leadership & Mentorship:
- Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing team of scientists, researchers, and technical specialists, fostering a culture of scientific excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.
- Oversee the recruitment, professional development, and performance management of scientific staff.
- Promote interdisciplinary collaboration within TerrAdapt, ensuring seamless integration of scientific insights across programs.
V. Knowledge Management & Dissemination:
- Ensure the effective translation of scientific research findings into accessible formats for practitioners, policymakers, and the public.
- Oversee the preparation and publication of peer-reviewed scientific articles, reports, policy briefs, and other knowledge products.
- Establish robust systems for scientific data management, archival, and sharing, adhering to best practices and relevant regulations.
- Champion the use of scientific evidence and TerrAdapt's dynamic data and tools to meet the challenge of conserving biodiversity in the face of rapid and widespread environmental change.
Requirements:
Education: Ph.D. required in a relevant scientific discipline such as Ecology, Biology, Environmental Science, Conservation Biology, or a closely related field.
Experience:
- Minimum of 15 years of post-doctoral experience in scientific research, leadership, and management, with a significant portion of this experience in fields related to climate change adaptation, ecological resilience, or environmental conservation.
- Proven track record of scientific excellence, including a substantial record of peer-reviewed publications, successful grant acquisition, and impactful contributions to the scientific community.
- Extensive experience in leading and managing complex research projects, particularly those involving interdisciplinary teams and external partnerships.
- Demonstrated experience in a senior scientific leadership role within an academic institution, research organization, government agency, or non-profit.
- Experience working effectively in a remote and geographically dispersed team environment.
Skills:
- Deep Technical Skillset in Conservation Science: Command of relevant scientific principles, methodologies, and emerging research trends in ecological modeling, including species distribution modeling, habitat connectivity modeling, projecting species range shifts, and spatial prioritization approaches.
- Visionary Leadership: Ability to articulate a compelling scientific vision and inspire others to achieve it.
- Strategic Thinking: Capacity to translate scientific knowledge into strategic plans and actionable and applied conservation science.
- Outstanding Communication: Superior written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences (scientists, non-scientists, policymakers, media).
- Public Speaking & Presentation: Proven ability to deliver impactful presentations at high-level scientific and policy forums.
- Grant Writing & Fundraising: Demonstrated success in securing significant competitive grants and other funding for scientific research.
- Collaborative & Interpersonal: Strong ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Analytical & Problem-Solving: Rigorous analytical capabilities and a proactive approach to scientific and organizational challenges.
Values Alignment:
- Demonstrated passion for applied conservation science and TerrAdapt's mission.
- Commitment to TerrAdapt's values, including scientific rigor, co-production of science to drive action, innovation, and integrity.
- Unwavering dedication to scientific integrity, ethical research practices, and evidence-based decision-making.
- Passion for interdisciplinary collaboration and translating science into tangible impact.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Prior experience as a Senior Scientist, Chief Science Officer or equivalent scientific leadership role.
- Experience with ecological modeling in a Python environment
- Experience working in the Google Cloud using Google Earth Engine and other Google Cloud services
Benefits/Conditions:
Compensation: Competitive, commensurate with experience
Reports to: Executive Director
Working Conditions:
- This is a remote position, requiring a reliable internet connection and a dedicated workspace free of distractions where the employee can focus solely on their work during working hours.
- Occasional domestic and international travel is required to attend conferences, scientific meetings, project sites, and meet with partners and funders.
- Ability to occasionally work flexible hours to accommodate different time zones and urgent project needs.
- Standard computer equipment and software will be provided.
How to Apply:
Submit your resume and cover letter to careers@terradapt.org
Applications requested by January 31, 2026
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis
