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 for just meaningful impact to address the climate crisis.

Woodwell Climate is a rapidly growing, top-ranked, independent non-profit climate research institute whose mission is to advance science-based climate policies through scientific research and outreach. Our world-leading research and impact helps individuals, organizations, corporations, communities, and nations understand the realities of climate change, recognize the impact on our planet, and embrace the urgent action needed to safeguard the future of life on Earth.

Summary:

Join Woodwell’s Evolving Meta-Ecosystems Institute (EVOME) for a unique opportunity to experience cutting edge research as Journalism Fellow in Northern Alaska. The National Science Foundation-supported EVOME will provide fellowships for six science journalists to participate in a two-week immersion in interdisciplinary evolutionary and global change biology being conducted at the University of Alaska’s Toolik Field Station in northern Alaska.

Ecosystems are complex communities of plants and animals that have evolved with each other and their shared environment over long periods of time. Understanding how these systems change over time is a grand challenge in biology—made even more urgent and policy-relevant by rapid changes in the Earth’s climate. This is particularly true for the Arctic, which is warming at least three times faster than the global average.

EVOME brings together experts from across biological disciplines to generate new insights at every scale of biology, with the goal of understanding whether species and ecosystems can evolve to match the pace of change, or whether they might fall apart or muddle along in a reduced state.

EVOME Journalism Fellowships offer a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with the scientists and experiments answering this critical question. The program will run June 14 to June 28, 2026. The first week will provide a hands-on exploration of key questions being asked at the intersection of evolutionary biology and Arctic ecology as part of the EVOME Institute. Then, fellows will team up with EVOME or Toolik-based research scientists, students, and postdocs, and work side-by-side with them in the field and laboratory. Fellows will have options to conduct interviews with other Toolik scientists, students, and staff, and will be expected to share their expertise in discussions and mentoring sessions with scientists, postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduate students at Toolik.

Minimum qualifications: Applicants must have a minimum of three years of experience as professional journalists or science writers. Applicants must be physically capable of walking a mile over uneven ground, and must pass a background check.

What to Expect at ToolikThe Toolik Field Station, in the foothills of the Brooks Range about 150 miles south of the Arctic Ocean, is the US’s most important Arctic scientific research station. It is the site of the National Science Foundation’s Arctic Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) project and the Evolving Meta-ecosystems Institute (EVOME). The station can accommodate about 130 scientists at any one time. It’s a hub of activity for researchers and students in the U.S. Arctic each summer. Station residents live dorm style in simple but comfortable rooms. Meals are served in a communal dining hall overlooking beautiful Toolik Lake and high peaks of the Brooks Range. Scientists work in a variety of laboratory buildings and permanent tents on the Station’s grounds. Fellows will work in a specially-outfitted field laboratory with heat, electric power, and fast internet access.

The fellowship program will run from June 14 to June 30. Travel will be to and from Fairbanks by truck or van via the Dalton Highway that connects Fairbanks to the oil fields at Prudhoe Bay. The road is about half asphalt and half gravel. The trip is about 11 hours under good conditions but can be several hours longer if there are weather- or construction-related road closures. Large luggage will travel independently, so be prepared with a small bag with water, snacks, camera, or other essential items. We plan one day in Fairbanks before embarking to Toolik.

We will spend the first week visiting EVOME field sites, working with EVOME scientists, and collecting data. EVOME science team members will then work with fellows to analyze and interpret the data. Fellows will work in pairs to create science presentations that they will then present in a mini science symposium open to the Toolik community.

The second week of the program will be less scripted. Fellows will have ample time to visit other field sites near Toolik and talk to the large number of scientists, postdocs, and students who will be at Toolik at that time working on the Arctic LTER and other projects.

You will experience Toolik bathed in 24 hours of sunlight. Daytime high temperatures range from the mid 40s to about 70 o F, but Arctic weather is fickle and can change on a dime. Freezing temperatures and snow are possible at any time. Fellows should plan to spend at least half of each work day in the field, whatever the weather.

Come prepared with a good raincoat, rain pants, and warm waterproof boots. Muck boots are good for short hikes through wet tundra. Newly-sealed and comfortable leather hiking boots are required for hiking in the mountains. Bring layers of fleece, long underwear, a warm hat and good gloves. Sneakers or rubber sandals are good for walking around the gravel pad around camp.

You will undoubtedly want to do some hiking. Bring a good day pack and a water bottle. You can bring your favorite hiking snacks, but the Toolik kitchen is more than amply supplied with great snack foods for the field. Bring binoculars if you are interested in birds and wildlife. Bring a camera. We enjoy posting pictures that document the research and the setting.

Toolik has a sauna and showers. Showers are limited to two two-minute showers per week to conserve water. The sauna is by the lake and operates with men’s, women’s, and co-ed hours evenings. Schedules are posted. Bring a towel, personal care items and any medications you think you might need. Trained first responders are on site at all times.

Work Environment:

The functions of this role are conducted indoors and outdoors

Physical Requirements:

In the field, the physical requirements of this role include:

Air, train, vehicle travel to access field locations

Driving a vehicle to access field locations

Walking or hiking to access field locations

Standing and sitting for sustained periods

Frequent bending, squatting, and kneeling

Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs

Hours of Fellowships:

This role is unpaid volunteer

Travel will be to and from Fairbanks by truck or van via the Dalton Highway that connects Fairbanks to the oil fields at Prudhoe Bay. The road is about half asphalt and half gravel. The trip is about 11 hours under good conditions but can be several hours longer if there are weather- or construction-related road closures.

Large luggage will travel independently, so be prepared with a small bag with water, snacks, camera, or other essential items.

We plan one day in Fairbanks before embarking to Toolik.

Applications for the 2026 EVOME Journalism Fellowships are due Friday, March 27, 2026

Start Date: June 14, 2026 to June 28, 2026

Classification and Compensation: This is a full-time, unpaid, volunteer program. Transportation costs to and from the Toolik Field Station through Fairbanks, AK, plus room and board will be covered by EvoME.

Location: Toolik Field Station in Alaska. Travel will be to and from Fairbanks by truck or van via the Dalton Highway that connects Fairbanks to the oil fields at Prudhoe Bay.

Application Instructions: To apply, please include: (1) a current, CV; (2) an up to 1000 word cover letter outlining why this experience would benefit your reporting and career, (3) three audio or writing samples of work, and (4) name and contact information for three professional references. Please make sure uploaded documents contain your name and code: JFEVOME26. Please include your name in all documents you upload.

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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, or genetic information. Woodwell is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.