Postdoctoral Researcher in Falmouth, Massachusetts at Woodwell Climate Research Center Inc

Mission:

Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell Climate) conducts science for solutions at the nexus of climate, people, and nature. We partner with leaders and communities around the world for just meaningful impact to address the climate crisis.

Woodwell Climate is a global non-profit, working at the intersection of science and decision-making. We are built on a foundation of world-class research with the drive to take action and contribute real-world solutions - partnering with communities, businesses and policymakers to protect life and livelihoods from the devastating impacts of climate change. Founded in 1985 by world-renowned ecologist George Woodwell, our organization is headquartered in Falmouth, MA with over 150 employees.

Summary:

Join Woodwell Climate’s Research team as a Postdoctoral Researcher seeking to advance the science of quantifying and valuing the non-carbon climate benefits of Amazon basin forests with an emphasis on those stewarded by Indigenous and Quilombola Territories. The successful candidate will have demonstrated research experience and/or a strong interest in understanding the primary biophysical mechanisms by which forests regulate climate (evapotranspiration (ET), surface roughness, and albedo) and the extent to which these mechanisms exert controls over local-to-regional patterns of temperature and precipitation. Working closely with Woodwell science and policy leaders and external partners, the ideal candidate will have a passion for connecting science to impact, specifically opportunities to support and inform land management decisions, climate policy development, and Indigenous rights advocacy.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Conducting research to quantify the non-carbon biophysical climate benefits of forests in Amazon Indigenous Territories and their contribution to temperature regulation and precipitation production

Supporting colleagues in quantifying the economic value of these benefits at local-to-regional scales

Interfacing with colleagues working on related research seeking to connect site-specific deforestation to hydrologic impacts (e.g., decreased rainfall) and the explicit valuation of these impacts.

Participating in project meetings, communicating progress, results, analytical challenges, and methodological decisions clearly and concisely

Sharing progress with project partners including members of local NGOs and Indigenous organizations

Contributing flexibly to related research projects as needed

Produce peer-reviewed manuscripts suitable for publication in high-profile scientific journals

Must have the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Experience working with and/or producing evapotranspiration, surface roughness, and albedo data sets

Experience in modeling temperature and/or precipitation impacts from biophysical drivers

Familiarity with tropical forest and savanna ecosystems, particularly the Amazon and Cerrado

Strong data science, machine learning and/or statistical analysis skills

A solid background in programming for geospatial analysis using Python, R, or other languages

Proficiency using GIS software such as Google Earth Engine, QGIS, and/or ArcGIS

Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment

Documented experience in scientific writing and publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals

Superior communication, networking, interpersonal, and organizational skills

Strong quantitative reasoning, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills

Willingness to travel about 5% of the time

Ability to engage professionally with research partners from different institutional and cultural contexts

Qualifications:

Ph.D. degree in the biological sciences, ecology, geography, remote sensing, environmental science/data science, or a related field

Physical Requirements:

In the office:

● Ability to tolerate sustained periods of walking, standing, sitting

● Ability to lift 25 pounds

● Ability to communicate, verbally and written

● Ability to kneel, bend, and carry items

● Ability to use phone and computers

● Repetitive movements

Work Environment:

The functions of this role are conducted indoors

Hours of Work

This role is paid on a salary basis.

Typically, full-time employees work 40 hours during a Monday through Friday work week. However, this is a salaried position. Therefore, the individual is expected to work as required to complete the duties of the position. This may mean weekend hours and/or hours beyond 40 per week.

Application review will be ongoing, starting October, 1, 2026

Desired Start Date: November 2026

Fixed-term: 1.5 years

Classification and Compensation: This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position, the annual salary range starting at $73,000 (Falmouth, MA based) dependent on qualifications/experience. Woodwell offers a generous benefits package and work life balance. Compensation for remote or out-of-state candidates may vary based on local geographic differentials.

Location: Falmouth, Massachusetts, hybrid or remote.

Application Instructions: To apply, please send your cover letter addressing your experience and qualifications in relation to the responsibilities of this position and curriculum vitae (CV) as a single PDF to our career’s portal. Attention to these instructions will be considered in the review process. Incomplete and/or irregular applications will not be reviewed.

Please visit Woodwell's website to learn more about Woodwell’s work.

Located on a 10-acre campus near the village of Woods Hole, the Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell) is a private, non-profit research center. Woodwell is a leading source of climate science that drives the urgent action needed to solve climate change. Woodwell has 100+ staff members and is excited to welcome new employees to this work.

Woodwell Climate is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. Woodwell is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.