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Program Scientist
Schmidt Ocean Institute
New York, NY, USA
Posted on Aug 22, 2025
Schmidt Sciences is a nonprofit organization founded in 2024 by Eric and Wendy Schmidt that works to accelerate scientific knowledge and breakthroughs with the most promising, advanced tools to support a thriving planet. The organization prioritizes research in areas poised for impact including AI and advanced computing, astrophysics, biosciences, climate, and space—as well as supporting researchers in a variety of disciplines through its science systems program.
The Schmidt Sciences Climate Institute seeks to understand how our planet works and the ways it's changing, connect climate research to action by developing science-driven tools, and empower interdisciplinary networks needed to drive climate solutions.
Reporting to the Climate Director, the Program Scientist will execute on all aspects of strategic grantmaking for the carbon portfolio, including leading the Virtual Institute for the Carbon Cycle (VICC) program. The goal of the carbon portfolio is to reduce uncertainty in the global carbon budget by an order of magnitude in order to inform effective climate policy and solutions. As part of their responsibilities, the Program Scientist will lead an integrated and interdisciplinary team to develop new areas and approaches for carbon cycle research. They will manage existing and new programs, including the review and diligence of research proposals, tracking gifts and grants throughout their lifecycle, as well as supporting the awardee community.
The Program Scientist will focus on advancing research frontiers around carbon in the climate system and reducing uncertainty in the carbon cycle. We seek a mid-career scientist with deep subject matter expertise ranging from knowledge of natural processes affecting carbon sources and sinks to modeling the global carbon budget to developing novel approaches for carbon attribution and verification. The Program Scientist may also be called upon to support other Virtual Institutes and foster collaborations and synthesis among all awardees.
Key Responsibilities for this role include the following:
Grantmaking and Strategic Leadership
- Working with the Institute Lead and Climate Director, lead and manage the development and implementation of the strategy of the carbon portfolio and related efforts.
- Lead all aspects of annual grantmaking for multi-million dollar awards, assessing opportunities, evaluating the impact, and managing diverse recipient organizations.
- Serve as an expert advisor on scientific topics for the climate team, including the knowledge of natural processes affecting carbon sources and sinks, modeling the global carbon budget, developing novel approaches for carbon attribution and verification, and approaches to carbon mitigation and reduction.
- Review and vet research proposals for scientific promise and viability, in conjunction with the broader Climate team.
- Work with other parts of Schmidt Sciences while bringing an objective scientific approach to a variety of societal and organizational challenges.
Partner and Awardee Engagement
- Enable awardees to achieve impact by providing expertise and technical assistance, as appropriate.
- Clearly and consistently communicate with awardees, team, and other partners in a transparent, timely, and respectful manner.
- Organize Schmidt Sciences-sponsored meetings of awardees, advisors, and field experts.
- Identify organizations — including universities, labs, other research facilities, and philanthropic and government organizations — that could work in concert with Schmidt Sciences on efforts relating to Climate.
- Represent Schmidt Sciences effectively in meetings, presentations, public forums, and conferences, engaging with awardees, leaders across sectors, officials, academics, and journalists.
Portfolio Development and Organizational Leadership
- Manage the award proposal process to ensure the overall scientific priorities in the carbon portfolio and set future directions for engagement.
- Conduct oversight, management, and evaluation of grants/gifts in the portfolio.
- Refine portfolio strategies, pursue new grantmaking opportunities, and conduct research in strategic priority areas.
- Integrate strategic communications and evaluation into grantmaking; foster ongoing learning among grantees and staff to inform strategy; and synthesize and share insights.
- Help to design programs and strategies that draw upon one or more scientific disciplines related to the program.
- Continually monitor and address complex legal, financial, and technical issues that may arise in partnership with Schmidt Sciences grantmaking teams.
- Create strategy documents, presentations, etc. for Schmidt Sciences leadership and founders.
- Provide support for existing Climate Focus Area programs by providing networking assistance, scientific expertise, and mentorship, as necessary, and by working closely and collaboratively with the teams responsible for delivery.
- Work with other members of the Schmidt Sciences team to drive organizational priorities and role model our values.
Required Qualifications
- Have a scientific doctorate from an accredited institution.
- Have a demonstrated track record of scientific accomplishments, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, patents, successful grant applications, or contributions to innovative research projects, ensuring the ability to bring expertise and insights to advance scientific objectives.
- Have at least 7 years of work experience, preferably with at least some experience in non-profits, philanthropy, or government post PhD.
- Have demonstrated ability to collaborate and a record of impact in high-intensity, team-based environments.
- Have the highest integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Be based at the Schmidt Sciences offices in New York and be able to travel within the U.S. and internationally on a regular basis as needed.
Desired Qualifications
- Demonstrated track record of leading and managing large, multi-million dollar programs.
- Expert-level experience and credentials in at least one, and preferably multiple, fields of science related to climate and the carbon cycle.
- Ability to critically analyze and assess funding proposals and other opportunities.
- Experience working with other science-focused institutions such as philanthropic organizations or academic research institutions.
- Demonstrated ability to develop partnerships and to lead efforts end-to end.
This is an exempt role.