Scientific Integrity Analyst- Washington DC
Organization: Union of Concerned Scientists
Title: Scientific Integrity Analyst
Location: Washington DC
Hours and Compensation: unavailable
Application Deadline: October 16, 2011
Posted On: Sept. 27, 2011
Overview
The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is the leading science-based nonprofit working for a healthy environment and a safer world. UCS combines independent scientific research and citizen action to develop innovative, practical solutions and to secure responsible changes in government policy, corporate practices, and consumer choices. What began as collaboration between students and faculty members at MIT in 1969 is now an alliance of more than 300,000 citizens and scientists that includes people from all walks of life: parents and businesspeople, biologists and physicists, teachers and students.
UCS strives for a future that is free from the threats of global warming and nuclear war and a planet that supports a rich diversity of life. Our specific focus areas include global warming, renewable energy, advanced vehicle technology, nuclear power safety, nuclear weapons and related security issues, preserving the integrity of science, and sustainable agriculture.
Description
The Program: On issues from oil spills to ozone standards, special interests continue to successfully exert significant pressure on the government to manipulate, suppress, and otherwise politicize the science used in making federal policy. President Obama has pledged to “restore science to its rightful place,” a complex task that needs input, support, and oversight. The UCS Scientific Integrity Program works to defend and insulate science and scientists from political interference and restore scientific integrity to federal policymaking. For more information, see www.ucsusa.org/scientific_integrity.
The Position: The analyst is responsible for overseeing a research program with two goals: 1) to improve public understanding of how various interests (including the private sector) influence how science is used in misused in federal policymaking, and 2) to develop and advance solutions that will allow public policy decisions to be fully informed by the best available scientific information.
The analyst will monitor current events and identify issues with a scientific integrity component. He or she will conceptualize and lead long-term and short-term research projects that support the two goals listed above. This requires the analyst to develop and maintain a familiarity with a wide array of public health, environmental and science-related topics and laws, and the legal and organizational structure of multiple government agencies over a variety of topics.
The analyst is responsible for ensuring that all program research products are accurate, accessible, relevant, and timely. He or she collaborates on scientific integrity policy, outreach and advocacy initiatives with other senior program staff. The analyst represents UCS interests in relevant policy-related coalitions and workshops and presents research results and analysis and UCS policy positions to a variety of audiences, including Congress, the Obama administration, coalition partners, and the public.
Qualifications
The position requires comprehensive knowledge of a scientific field, generally obtained through a terminal degree in a science, including the hard sciences, engineering, economics and social sciences, or a related field. The ability to analyze and write quickly for diverse audiences and to meet the needs of the current media and congressional landscape is essential. Candidates should possess a solid understanding of how science informs public policy and a familiarity with general public health and environmental concepts and issues. Robust written and oral communications abilities, strong quantitative and analytical skills, and a working knowledge of and interest in the way in which the U.S. government functions are necessary for this position. Most of all, candidates should possess a passion for improving the way in which science informs policy making, and a demonstrable commitment to working in the public interest/non-profit sector. The strongest candidates will have experience with science policy development and analysis and advocacy.
How To Apply
Please submit a cover letter (referencing where you learned of this position), resume, salary requirements, and three writing samples no longer than five pages each (two of which must non-academic writing, such as a memo, op-ed, newspaper article, press release, or blog post) to [email protected]. Please include “Scientific Integrity Analyst” in the subject line. No phone calls, please. Application Deadline: As soon as possible, but no later than Sunday, October 16, 2011.
