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Social Scientist

Carbon Direct
Location not specified
Full Time
Posted December 19, 2025
$133k - $163k
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Job Description

The Social Scientist at Carbon Direct will lead and support social impact assessments of carbon management projects, advising on community impacts, social risks, and environmental justice, while integrating social science insights into climate solutions and client recommendations.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and support social impact evaluations of carbon removal, management, and decarbonization projects globally.
  • Refine and expand social impact review methodologies, including qualitative and mixed-method frameworks.
  • Advise internal teams and clients on community impacts, environmental justice, and social risks associated with carbon projects.
  • Analyze and synthesize qualitative and quantitative data to generate insights on social risks, community impacts, and project feasibility.
  • Support project developers and investors on social safeguards, benefit-sharing, and culturally appropriate project design.
  • Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to integrate community impact considerations into technical assessments and recommendations.
  • Communicate social science insights effectively through client deliverables, presentations, and stakeholder engagement.

Requirements

  • A PhD in environmental anthropology, political ecology, human geography, sociology, science and technology studies (STS), environmental studies, or a related social science discipline.
  • Alternatively, a Master’s Degree with significant applied experience in relevant fields.
  • Experience evaluating social impacts of environmental, climate, or infrastructure projects.
  • Demonstrated experience conducting fieldwork, ethnographic research, community-based research, or qualitative inquiry in diverse cultural and political contexts.
  • Applied professional experience in at least one of the following: Federal or state agencies, Tribal governments or Indigenous organizations, Land management organizations, International development organizations, Environmental or climate consulting NGOs, or multilateral institutions.
  • Strong grounding in environmental justice, social equity, or human rights frameworks, and ability to apply them to decarbonization contexts.
  • Experience working with communities in Central and South America, Sub-Saharan Africa, or South Asia is a significant plus.
  • Ability to synthesize complex qualitative data and communicate insights effectively to technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Proven ability to work independently in a fast-paced and interdisciplinary environment.

Benefits & Perks

Salary range of $133,000 to $163,000 per year
Flexible vacation policy and ten company-wide holidays, plus an annual winter break between Christmas and New Year
16 weeks of fully paid parental and family leave with no tenure requirement
Remote-friendly work culture with annual company-wide retreats
Reimbursement for work-from-home setup and monthly work-from-home stipend
Comprehensive nationwide medical, dental, and vision coverage

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