Climate Science Serving America Fellowship

Project Drawdown is proud to launch a new Climate Science Serving America Fellowship program. This Fellowship will support world-class Ph.D.-level scientists and engineers advancing climate solutions in the world.

This Fellowship will help scientists and engineers do rigorous research, public outreach, stakeholder engagement, and have a real-world impact. Fellows will work alongside a deeply collaborative team of scientists and communicators at Project Drawdown to help translate science into action.

Fellows will receive:

• A competitive salary and benefits
• A small research stipend to support travel, computer supplies, and publications
• Intellectual independence, free from partisan or financial pressure
• Institutional support to pursue solutions-oriented research in the public interest

Fellows will be appointed for a one-year term, with the possibility of renewal for a second year based on performance and available funding.

About Project Drawdown

Project Drawdown is the world’s leading guide for science-based climate solutions. 

We are an independent, internationally trusted organization driving bold, science-based approaches to stop climate change.

Our work is built on three pillars:

• SCIENCE - Advancing Science-Based Climate Solutions and Strategies. First, we conduct cutting-edge research to identify the best possible climate solutions and design the most effective strategies to bring them to scale. Then, we share our findings with the world through effective science communication, marketing campaigns, and media partnerships.
• STAKEHOLDERS - Engaging Key Stakeholders and Empowering Bold Climate Leadership. Next, we use our science to inform, inspire, and empower key stakeholders and emerging climate leaders – including policymakers, community leaders, philanthropists, investors, business leaders, and others - to take bold action and bring the most effective solutions to the world.
• STORIES - Telling Human Stories of Solutions in Action. Finally, we use the power of storytelling to help shift the narrative on climate change – from problem to solution and from “doom and gloom” to “opportunity and possibility.” Along the way, we showcase new climate heroes putting solutions into action.

In short, we believe that rigorous science is needed to guide climate action. And we believe that this science must be shared in actionable, compelling ways – through stakeholder engagement and powerful storytelling. Our job is to make this happen.

About the Fellowships

The Climate Science Serving America Fellowship program will support outstanding early- and mid-career scientists and engineers focused on climate solutions. Fellows may come from academia, government, nonprofits, or other institutions. 

Fellows will be expected to engage in a variety of activities, including:

• Applied Solutions Research to Change the World
  • Conduct world-class research on climate solutions
  • Produce results that inform real-world decision-making
  • Engage key stakeholders, translating science to action
  • Contribute to wider Project Drawdown research initiatives as appropriate
• Thought Leadership & Public Service
  • Serve as a public-facing subject-matter expert on climate solutions
  • Share work publicly through books, popular articles, op-eds, speaking engagements, public talks, webinars, social media, and more
  • Act as a pro bono advisor to communities, nonprofits, foundations, businesses, and other stakeholders
  • Provide expert testimony or technical input when appropriate
  • Help support Project Drawdown’s media engagement, partnerships, and collaborative projects

We aim to support early-career (up to 10 years of relevant post-Ph.D. experience) and mid-career (between 10-20 years of relevant post-Ph.D. experience) scientists and engineers in this Fellowship program.

Fellows will be offered an annual salary of $130,000-$140,000 (early-career fellows) or $150,000-$160,000 (mid-career fellows), along with competitive health, retirement, and other employment benefits. Fellows will also receive a $10,000 annual stipend to help pay for travel, computer supplies, publication costs, etc. 

Fellows will be appointed for one year, with the possibility of a second year, based on performance and the availability of funds.

Project Drawdown welcomes people of all backgrounds, identities, and beliefs. We are a 100% remote organization based in the United States. 

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess a combination of the following:

• Education: Ph.D. and postdoctoral experience in a relevant physical science, biological science, or engineering field(s).
• Experience: Deep experience working in science-based climate solutions and strategies, based on original scientific and/or engineering research.
• Research: An accomplished publication record in the international scientific literature – e.g., with 10-30 highly-cited publications presenting original results and methods in top scientific journals.
• Expertise: Be an internationally recognized “thought leader” in their discipline.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, including technical/scientific writing, writing for public audiences, and giving highly engaging public presentations.
• Collaborative: Be highly regarded among peers for working collaboratively and cooperatively with internal and external colleagues.

Project Drawdown is a remote-work organization. Candidates should be:

• Comfortable with teleconferencing, collaborative work environments, remote work, and virtual collaboration.
• Available to participate in online meetings and video conferences, typically on weekdays 9:00 am–5:00 pm Central Time US.
• Experienced with Mac-based computing environment.
• Comfortable with Google Suite, Asana, Slack, and presentation software (Keynote preferred) for their work.
• Available for domestic and international travel. 

Position Details and How to Apply

This is a one-year, full-time, salaried Fellowship position with benefits based on a nominal 40-hour work week.  Project Drawdown also provides exceptional benefits, including generous time off, health insurance, and a matching 401(k).

As with all Project Drawdown positions, this role will be 100% remote. Employees can work anywhere within the United States with a reliable, high-speed internet connection. Candidates currently authorized to work in the United States (U.S. Citizens, green card holders, and work visa holders) who reside anywhere in the U.S. may apply. Employees are expected to attend a yearly in-person team meeting. Other travel may be required.

To be considered for this position, please submit your Phase 1 application at https://form.jotform.com/260265015574151, including the following materials:

• A cover letter describing your experience, qualifications, and interest in this Fellowship.
• A detailed CV outlining your professional and educational experience. Please highlight your experience in climate solutions research, your relevant publications, as well as your experience in public outreach and communication, stakeholder engagement, and translating science into action.
• A 2-3 page (total) response to the following questions:
  • Why are you a world-leading scientist or engineer working on climate solutions?
  • How will you share your work with the wider world?
  • How will you ensure that your work gets out of the “ivory tower” and makes a difference in the real world?
  • How might you collaborate with Project Drawdown’s scientists, communication experts, and others in advancing this work?
• Three examples of your peer-reviewed scientific publications
• Three examples of your public-facing communications (op-eds, thought pieces, or videos of your presentations, media interviews, etc.)

Application materials must be submitted as PDF files (not Word documents) – and may include links to outside sources where appropriate (videos of presentations, media interviews, etc.)

Phase 1 applications will be accepted until April 17, 2026, at 11:59 pm Eastern Time. 

In late spring, a small number of finalists will be invited to proceed to Phase 2 of the Fellowship competition, which will include an interview and the submission of a proposal for the work candidates would like to pursue at Project Drawdown. Phase 2 candidates will also be asked to provide at least three professional references. 

Finalists may negotiate their starting date to begin in the summer or fall of 2026.

Project Drawdown is an equal opportunity employer committed to having a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Project Drawdown does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by law, and we will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. We strongly encourage all qualified persons currently authorized to work in the United States to apply for this position. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and the organization’s needs.

To uphold our commitment to equity and ensure a fair hiring process for all applicants, we don’t conduct individual informational interviews related to open positions. However, we encourage you to review our website and the job posting carefully for more details about our work, culture, and the skills we are seeking.

For more information, contact us at jobs@drawdown.org