Analyst

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent nonprofit that puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future. We envision a peaceful, healthy, and just world where science serves people and the planet by guiding policy decisions, reducing risks, and improving lives.

For over five decades, we have been working as scientists, engineers, economists, advocates, and everyday people to create and advocate for innovative, practical solutions to some of our planet’s most pressing problems—from combating global warming and developing sustainable ways to feed, power, and transport ourselves, to fighting disinformation, advancing racial equity, and reducing the threat of nuclear war.  Values informing our work include:

• Science in the service of people and the planet. 
• Justice and Equity for people of all races and incomes—now, and for future generations. 
• Courage to take principled, science-based stands in the public arena. 
• Integrity to always examine evidence critically, openly, and honestly. 
• Democracy to promote a voice for all in government decisions. 
• Action inspiring and mobilizing people to build a healthier, safer, and more just world. 

UCS’s Center for Science & Democracy (CSD)

The Center for Science and Democracy works to make sure that government decisions are informed by the best possible science and evidence, free from political interference, and responsive to diverse community voices. We put science and scientists into action to strengthen US democracy by working for more fair and inclusive elections and processes of governance.  Our aim is that the systems, structures, institutions and practices that govern the American people, places, and environments are evidence-based and serve the broadest public good. 

The Position

As a member of the research team, the Analyst position conducts analyses to advance advocacy campaigns for science and democracy across multiple issue areas, such as science policy and regulation, defense of science, and scientific integrity. Collaborate with members of the campaign teams, including policy, legislation and outreach to achieve policy wins. Serve as a spokesperson on relevant technical and policy issues to stakeholders, partners, donors, media, and decision makers. Champion efforts around justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) in program research and analysis, and broadly support UCS efforts in becoming an anti-racist organization.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Include but are not limited to:

Conduct research and analyses to advance advocacy campaigns.

• Conducts research and analysis on a portfolio covering science policy and regulation (federal and state), defense of science, scientific integrity, and other evolving program issues. Tracks trends and emerging issues in science policy and interprets laws and regulations to predict their impact and develop policy recommendations to guide federal and state decisionmakers, agencies, and public and private organizations.
• Writes and edits research summaries, reports, blogs, journal articles, briefing papers, and data visualizations to communicate findings of policy analysis and policy options clearly and concisely.
• Work with CSD staff on a variety of research-related tasks, including rapid media response, report design and production, technical analysis, and public messaging and branding.
• Recommend future research and analysis direction and ensure research activities are centered in justice and equity. 

Provide expertise on issue areas within UCS and with external audiences.

• Ability and creativity to summarize and communicate research results in a fast-moving environment into clear conclusions that are easy to communicate in oral and written form for experts, public, media, and congressional representatives.
• Respond to inquiries from researchers, advocates and partners, UCS members and sponsors, and the public about CSD issues.
• Attend relevant academic and issue-based conferences, briefings, webinars and trainings.

Support program and campaign development.

• Support program and campaign strategy development, including identifying key stakeholders, time-sensitive research questions, and policy opportunities.
• Represent UCS in coalition meetings, build and maintain relationships with external partners, and identify opportunities for collaboration.

Other duties as assigned

• Up to 20% of any individual job may contain work that is not specifically listed in this document. This may reflect temporary assignments, individual professional development opportunities (e.g., learning a new set of skills, participating in a professional growth experience), and/or a requirement to serve in an organizational citizenship capacity (e.g., participating in internal Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI) activities, pitching in/volunteering for extra work, covering for a colleague on leave). 

People Management Authority

May support supervision of interns on occasion.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Comparable training and/or experience may be substituted for degrees when appropriate.

• Master’s degree or Juris Doctor in a relevant field, such as science policy, public policy, political science, data science, quantitative sociology, behavioral economics or other policy-oriented field in the social sciences.
• Minimum 5-7 years of relevant experience, including policy analysis and advocacy. Experience working on democracy reform is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience achieving deadlines while working on multiple fast-moving science policy research areas and the ability to pick up new topics quickly as issue areas evolve.
• Strong quantitative (such as inferential statistics), qualitative and analytical skills, including experience in developing and executing research projects. Experience with mixed methods and utilization of sunshine laws such as the Freedom of Information Act inquires desirable. Demonstrated knowledge of the role of equity and public participation in science policy.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, especially translating scientific information and complex analysis to a general audience.
• Ability to analyze and write quickly to meet the needs of media.
• Ability to effectively collaborate and build relationships across teams and organizations, and across cultural differences.

Budget Authority

None.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time.
• Continuously operate a computer and must have the ability to control a mouse and keyboard.
• Communicate in verbal and written formats with internal staff and external constituents.

Work Schedule

Regular office hours with occasional work on nights and weekends.

Travel Requirements

10-15% travel to meetings, conferences and events.

Details

This is a full-time remote position. For those who meet all position requirements, the salary is $90,600. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment. *CA Resident Only, we offer a 12% salary differential*

Information about the organization is available at http://www.ucsusa.org.

Comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.

More About the Team

Our team is made up of a dedicated group of researchers, scientists, communicators, campaigners, and advocates from wide-ranging backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and a collaborative and supportive work environment where all staff can thrive. We continually strive to create an environment which is a welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, parents, empty-nesters, and people with a wide variety of interests and backgrounds.

To Apply

We know there are great candidates who won’t check all these boxes, and we also know you might bring important skills that we haven’t considered. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. Please upload a cover letter and resume. In the cover letter, please confirm that the listed salary meets your expectations. Upload materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls, please.

This position is in the bargaining unit.

Covid Mandate for New Hires:

For in office roles, UCS employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Employees are considered fully vaccinated as defined by the CDC. All new hires who will be reporting to an office location must provide notice of their vaccination status and vaccination documentation, on or before their first day of work. For all others, UCS strongly encourages full vaccinations among its employees, up to and including booster shots, even if working remotely.

All new employees must comply with the mandatory vaccination requirements outlined in UCS policies as soon as practicable. The Union of Concerned Scientists will notify candidates for employment of the requirements of this policy before the start of employment.