Back to top

Senior Scientist

This job is no longer available

NRDC seeks a scientist (PhD, MD, DrPH, ScD, etc. preferred) to join the Health and Food Division. The individual in this position serves as a senior scientific on issues related to the impact of toxic chemical exposures on human health. Work is focused on reducing exposures to toxic chemicals through policy, litigation, legislation, and corporate campaigns. The work entails travel to Sacramento, CA and Washington D.C. and other locations.

Areas of Responsibility: 
  • Provide scientific expertise to the toxics and drinking water team to reduce exposures to toxic chemicals by reforming the regulation and oversight of toxic chemicals and drinking water through:
  • State and federal legislation, administrative regulation and policy
  • consumer campaigns,
  • and litigation.
  • Identify new advocacy issues and opportunities based on emerging scientific research and/or contaminants of concern. Promote improved strategies for the use of biomonitoring and risk assessment in chemicals policy.
  • Develop and strengthen NRDC relationships with scientists and experts in the fields of environmental health, toxicology, exposure assessment, risk assessment, community-based research, and environmental justice to utilize relevant information for policy, advocacy and legal work.
  • Contribute to the creation of clear and compelling written and visual communications to scientists, policymakers and the general public, including blogs, fact sheets, comments for public hearings, reports and presentations.
  • Serve as a general environmental health policy expert, advocate, and spokesperson as needed for the Health program and other programs in the institution.
  • Participate in fundraising activities including meeting with donors and foundation staff, speaking at donor events, and contributing to proposals and reports to funders.
Educational Background: 
Preferences for doctorate, or equivalent degree, in medicine, public health, toxicology, or a related field. Candidates with master’s degree and significant experience may also be considered.
Skills/Experience: 
  • Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize scientific studies and data.
  • Ability to work with other environmental, health-affected and community groups and people from a wide array of cultures, backgrounds and scientific and technical understanding.
  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in teams and interest in working with lawyers and policy advocates to critically review and draft regulatory language, legislation, or other policies.
  • Demonstrated commitment to nonprofit/public interest advocacy and environmental public health.
  • Demonstrated sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations.
  • Commitment to building and maintaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture.
  • A minimum of five years of experience in a related field.
  • Experience in applying science to policy decision-making highly desirable.
  • Expertise in the following areas highly desirable: harmful chemicals in building materials and consumer products; pesticides; drinking water contamination; risk assessment; green chemistry and alternatives analysis.

Organization Info

Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.

Overview
Headquarters: 
New York, NY, United States
Annual Budget : 
$100-500M
Founded: 
1970
About Us
Mission: 

The Natural Resources Defense Council's purpose is to safeguard the Earth: its people, its plants and animals and the natural systems on which all life depends.

We work to restore the integrity of the elements that sustain life -- air, land and water -- and to defend endangered natural places.

We seek to establish sustainability and good stewardship of the Earth as central ethical imperatives of human society. NRDC affirms the integral place of human beings in the environment.

We strive to protect nature in ways that advance the long-term welfare of present and future generations.

We work to foster the fundamental right of all people to have a voice in decisions that affect their environment. We seek to break down the pattern of disproportionate environmental burdens borne by people of color and others who face social or economic inequities. Ultimately, NRDC strives to help create a new way of life for humankind, one that can be sustained indefinitely without fouling or depleting the resources that support all life on Earth.

Listing Stats

Post Date: 
Sep 11 2019
Active Until: 
Oct 11 2019
Hiring Organization: 
Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.
industry: 
Nonprofit