Scientist, Livestock Methane

Program Overview

The food system accounts for around one-third of global climate impacts, and this will only increase as we work to feed a growing global population of 10 billion people. Methane emissions are a major part of these impacts but are mostly an under-realized strategy for climate action. The livestock sector must accelerate methane mitigation if the world is to slow the rate of climate change and avoid disastrous tipping points.

Dairy Methane Action Alliance (DMAA) is a global initiative convened by EDF to spur action and accountability to drive down dairy methane emissions. With 8 major companies already signed on, it requires signatories to measure, report, and make a public action plan to reduce methane emissions, while providing the tools, resources and networks to unlock barriers and speed action.

Overall Function

The Scientist, Livestock Methane will be a critical part of the Livestock Methane Science team, joining in its efforts to 1) review and provide input to documents targeting corporate audiences to ensure alignment with best available science while staying practical to corporate needs; 2) engaging with outside scientists to fill critical scientific gaps that can push our work forward; and 3) supporting the overall livestock methane science team on critical projects. The Livestock Methane team works in close coordination with the EDF+Business and Climate Smart Agriculture teams, and the Scientist will have a particular focus on the science and technical needs of DMAA members.  

The Scientist will report to the Lead Senior Scientist in the Office of Chief Scientist.

Duration: This is a two-year fixed-term position with the possibility for extension.

Location: This position may either be fully remote or hybrid out of one of EDF’s offices.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct rigorous original scientific research with a focus on livestock methane, nitrous oxide and ammonia emissions.
• As part of the Livestock Science Team, help develop and support a scientifically rigorous livestock methane reduction strategy with a particular focus on the DMAA.
• Work with key stakeholders to receive feedback and build consensus on the work to meet scientific and technical rigor while being able to provide practical and actionable guidance to companies.
• Become familiar with existing and evolving GHG climate standards and best practices, such as the GHG Protocol, SBTi, CA LCFS and others, to determine overlap with DMAA guidance and support overall strategic engagement.
• Define scientific frameworks and standards for models and on-farm tools including Cool Farm Tool, FarmES and RuFaS, COMET Farm, CNCPS, etc. for on-farm quantification of emissions in the Measurement, Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MMRV) framework for different contexts.
• Coordinate, support, and manage key partnerships with technical bodies and/or consultants to coordinate research and pilots to increase the understanding of livestock methane reduction products, technologies and management approaches.
• Collaborate on the development of criteria for determining efficacy of enteric methane inhibiting products for inclusion in calculation of methane reduction in on-farm tools.
• In collaboration with EDF scientists, lead research and regulatory partnerships by developing and executing webinar and technical workshops.
• Publish in scientific journals as lead and co-author as part of EDF’s science team and with science partners outside of EDF.
• Stay up-to-date on relevant research and build and maintain scientific networks.
• Represent EDF externally by attending and presenting at conferences and external meetings.
• Participate in advancing EDF DEI goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.
• Build and cultivate internal and external relationships that deliver project goals and support trust building and idea generation.
• Develop work plans, negotiate project agreements and scopes of work, and manage project work and deliverables.
• Forge strong internal collaborations with the Climate Smart Agriculture, EDF+Business, and Office of the Chief Scientist teams as a critical member of a cross-cutting team working on agricultural methane emissions.
• Evaluate projects, identify new opportunities, engage in thought-partnership, disseminate and communicate progress and outcomes, and support strategic refinement of plans as part of the broader Livestock Methane team.
• Additional relevant responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• 2 years of relevant Postdoctoral work experience and a Ph.D. or a Master’s degree and 5 years of experience in scientific roles required.

• Technical understanding of agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

• Experience or foundational understanding of the dairy industry is preferred.

• Proactive, attentive to detail, and strong research and analysis skills.

• Ability to deploy a diversity of analytical approaches based upon theoretical and/or empirical studies to deliver tailored analysis with an advocacy lens and the ability to synthesize information with a view to drive action.

• Exceptional critical thinking, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work on multiple projects concurrently, both independently and collaboratively as a member of small multidisciplinary teams in a dynamic environment across multiple time zones.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to conduct effective presentations, communicate complex technical aspects to general audiences, and translate scientific and technical concepts for private sector audiences into practicable solutions.

• Ability to juggle effectively multiple tasks, meet tight deadlines, and respond quickly to changing opportunities.

• A broad understanding of food and agricultural supply chains and agricultural GHG emissions reduction opportunities.

• Strong capacity to build strategic relationships and successfully advocate for environmental issues.

• Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.

• Highly proficient computer skills, including MS Office Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time (as appropriate given COVID).

• An understanding of and commitment to Environmental Defense Fund’s mission of protecting the natural environment and limiting humankind’s impact on the planet.