Director of Science Policy

5+ years in science policy, federal research administration, or government relations for a research-driven organization. Examples include time at DOE, NOAA, NSF, or another federal science agency, a national laboratory or university research office, a Congressional science or appropriations role, or the policy function of a comparable technology company.

Working knowledge of how federal research gets funded: how solicitations are written and reviewed, how merit review actually works, and where a proposal lives between submission and award.

Genuine scientific fluency. You should be able to read a paper in atmospheric science, follow the argument, ask a useful question about the methods, and represent our research accurately in a room where no one from the Research Team is present.

Track record of building and winning competitive federal research proposals, including familiarity with the mechanics of grants, cooperative agreements, subawards, and cost-share.

Command of the science policy landscape, especially the authorization and appropriations cycles that drive agency research budgets, the interagency coordination bodies, and the advisory committee processes that shape agency priorities.

Current relationships across the federal science agencies, the Congressional science committees, and the atmospheric or earth science research community.

Ability to operate as both a strategist and a hands-on operator in a fast-paced startup environment, comfortable building a function from the ground up.

Must be based in DC with willingness and ability to travel domestically for Hill engagement, agency and lab visits, scientific conferences, coalition work, and field site demonstrations.