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Science-Policy Fellow, Ocean-based Climate Solutions 2025
California Ocean Science Trust
USD 65k-65k / year
Posted on Jul 2, 2025
Science-Policy Fellow: Ocean-based Climate Solutions
We are seeking a creative and dynamic colleague to join us in strengthening the role of science to inform policy decisions on ocean-based climate solutions, such as marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) in California and along the U.S. West Coast. This position is an 18-month, full time, fixed-term appointment. We encourage individuals from a broad range of identities and experiences to apply. The position will be open until filled, with priority review deadline of July 18th, 2025. Candidates must be available to start on or before September 1st, 2025.
About California Ocean Science Trust (OST)
We are a state-connected, science nonprofit dedicated to accelerating progress towards a healthy and productive ocean future for California. Created by state legislation, we bridge the gap between cutting-edge scientific research and sound ocean management. Our strength lies in our ability to rapidly respond to state priorities and emerging, complex challenges, providing trusted science advice that directly informs policy decisions for California’s coastal communities and ocean ecosystems. We leverage public and private funding to forge strategic science-policy partnerships, encourage science co-production with communities, and build research capacity focused on California’s priorities and climate goals. This includes developing solution-focused science guidance to California’s executive branch agencies and delivering independent science services to the California Legislature.
Serving one of the most diverse states in the country, we see diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and access as central values to our organizational philosophy and imperative to our mission. We are committed to cultivating a work environment where staff from all backgrounds and identities feel a sense of belonging and can thrive.
Science-Policy Fellow
California Ocean Science Trust collaborates across sectors, institutions, and disciplines to translate and apply scientific information on a variety of topics relevant to ocean and coastal resources in policy settings. A current focal topic is the potential of various ocean-based climate solutions to meet California’s climate change mitigation goals. The Science-Policy Fellow will join our efforts to inform decision makers and state policy makers about the rapidly-evolving science of ocean-based climate solutions such as mCDR. This includes leading collaborative, multidisciplinary efforts at state and regional levels to advance shared understanding and science-policy coordination; identify ocean research, monitoring and innovation priorities; and ensure effective communication of trusted scientific information.
We’re looking for a colleague passionate about communicating and applying trusted, independent science to inform decisions about California’s climate and biodiversity goals. Our ideal Fellow brings a strong science background, experience with leading multi-institutional collaborations, and has honed their science-policy communication skills. You'll play a critical role in shaping statewide and regional science-policy coordination, including cultivating strategic partnerships to boost the transparency and credibility of science in policy discussions. We encourage the Fellow to apply creative input to specific responsibilities which include:
- Supporting OST’s marine carbon dioxide removal work, through opportunities to lead on forging statewide and regional science-policy partnerships
- Engaging in delivery of science advice to state partners
- Collaborating with OST’s Legislative Science Services program.
- Contributing to OST’s broader science-policy communication efforts
The field of ocean-based climate solutions is rapidly evolving with complex scientific questions and policy considerations, so we are seeking an effective communicator and problem-solver with a strong scientific and/or policy background. Strong partnership-building skills, diplomacy and an open communicative style are critical to success in this role. Given OST’s position at the intersection of multiple audiences, prior experience in strategic communications, media relationships, or digital marketing is a welcome bonus.
The Science-Policy Fellow will report directly to, and receive mentorship from, an OST Senior Science Officer. Our work is highly collaborative, where both existing and new partnerships are critical for project development and impact. Our ideal candidate is comfortable in both leading and supporting roles and is willing to adapt roles in response to team and partner needs throughout the course of the fellowship. Ocean Science Trust science-policy fellowships are an immersive learning experience at the science-policy nexus while simultaneously advancing key organizational initiatives.
Location
Ocean Science Trust is headquartered in Sacramento, California but staff work remotely and are based throughout the state. Our team values the flexibility of remote work and is dedicated to effective remote team collaboration. Travel within California will be required, including occasional travel to Sacramento, CA. If not already based in California, the Fellow will need to relocate to California by the start of the fellowship.
Qualifications
Skills and attributes:
- Strong scientific and/or policy aptitude, with the ability to understand, apply, and communicate information across a wide range of disciplines and audiences.
- Ability to synthesize and translate complex science and policy concepts, distill and organize critical information from diverse sources, and identify knowledge gaps and opportunities for science to inform decision making.
- Experience in project management and strong ability to adapt as projects evolve, prioritize among multiple tasks and adjust to short or changing timelines.
- Comfortable working on a small team in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Demonstrates an understanding of and sensitivity to identity, race, and biases, and the dynamics they create in addressing the needs and priorities of diverse communities and people.
- Exceptional communication skills and the ability to write clearly, cohesively and succinctly.
- Strong interpersonal skills to professionally and effectively represent the organization to all partners, funders, vendors, contractors and other constituents.
- Flexible team player, able to take on diverse tasks and play both supporting and leading roles as needed to achieve organizational goals.
- Values diverse knowledge systems and has familiarity and/or interest in the role of environmental justice and equity in the creation of science-policy products.
- Refined political acumen and understanding of policy processes is a plus.
Knowledge and experience:
- Ph.D. in marine science, related natural science, or relevant social science with connections to these fields; or an M.S. and 3+ years of relevant experience is required.
- Knowledge and/or demonstrated experience with marine carbon dioxide removal or an applied scientific background on a relevant topic is preferred but not required.
- Demonstrated experience working within scientific and/or policy partnerships that rely on multi-organizational collaboration rather than formal reporting structures.
- Strong science communication, non-technical writing, and distilling technical information for general audiences.
- Experience with online tools and processes for effective remote team collaboration.
- Familiarity with California’s regulatory and governance structures pertaining to statewide ocean and coastal priorities is preferred but not required.
- Proficiency in developing creative content such as infographics, visual summaries, social media assets, and other non-traditional science communication formats is a plus.
- Experience with branding, strategic messaging, and audience segmentation to increase clarity, trust, and impact of science-policy work is a plus.
- Basic knowledge of digital marketing or communications metrics to track engagement and improve strategy is a plus.
Salary and Benefits
The non-exempt position is an 18-month, full time, fixed-term appointment paid on an hourly basis. The salary for this position is $65,000 per year, in consideration of expertise and experience. We offer a generous benefit plan which includes paid time off, medical, dental, vision insurance, and more. We have flexible, family-friendly schedules, the option to work in our Sacramento office or remotely, mobile phone and internet subsidy, and up to 3.5% employer matching 403b plan after the first year.
To Apply
Select the Apply for this Job button in the upper right corner of your screen to complete a questionnaire and upload materials including a resume and cover letter describing your specific interest and fit for the position. The position will be open until filled, with priority review deadline of July 18th, 2025.
You must be authorized to work in the U.S. and be a current resident of the State of California, or willing to relocate if hired. Ocean Science Trust is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all staff. Thank you for your interest.