Mycorrhizal Carbon Science Lead

• Lead, manage, and mentor SPUN's Climate and Carbon research group.
• Set the strategic scientific direction for the group, aligning with SPUN's overall mission and identifying future areas of impact.
• Oversee the development of mycorrhizal carbon datasets, analytics, and spatial products.
• Design and execute a strategy for scaling fungal carbon measurements and databases, working with the Climate Breakthrough strategy team.
• Drive the scientific work needed to integrate SPUN's data into Natural Capital models and other quantitative NCS frameworks.
• Collaborate with the leads of the Biodiversity Analytics and Conservation & Applications groups to execute cross-team projects.
• Establish and manage partnerships for pilot user-testing of SPUN data products.

By building the world's first comprehensive datasets and strategies for measuring fungal-mediated carbon flows, you will help bring underground ecosystems into the center of climate action. Your leadership will enable the development of rigorous monitoring and reporting protocols, creating pathways for mycorrhizal fungi to be integrated into Natural Climate Solutions and carbon markets.

• PhD in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Biogeochemistry, Microbiology, and/or Earth System Science.
• Significant experience designing and leading research programs to answer cutting-edge questions in ecosystem ecology, particularly above/below ground carbon dynamics.
• Robust understanding of soil biogeochemistry, particularly the interplay of fungal activities and carbon and nutrient cycles at a variety of scales.
• Demonstrated success in building and interpreting advanced statistical models.
• Excellent data management and coding skills in R and/or Python.
• Proven ability to deliver high-quality scientific writing and possess strong science communication skills.
• Fluent in English.

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: 100% of medical, dental, and vision premiums covered for employees, plus dependent coverage support.
• Wellness & Lifestyle Support: Annual health stipend, flexible spending account (for US-based employees), monthly work-from-home allowance, and wellness days built into your year.
• Generous Time Off: Minimum of 25 vacation days per year (plus local holidays), unlimited paid time off as needed, sick leave, and wellness days to recharge.
• Volunteer Days: Paid time each year to contribute your skills and energy to causes you care about.
• Professional Growth: Annual professional development allowance to invest in your learning, skills, and career progression.
• Workspace & Tools: Hardware allowance to get you set up and annual workspace allowance to create a productive environment wherever you are.
• Celebrating You: Annual birthday meal stipend so you can celebrate on us.
• Global Consistency, Local Care: Benefits tailored to local laws while ensuring everyone has access to the same high-quality standard of support across our organization.

SPUN is a startup NGO with a mission to map and protect the mycorrhizal fungal networks that regulate Earth's climate and ecosystems. Through their global data platform, Underground Explorers program, and network of over 400 Science Associates across more than 80 countries, they generate high-resolution biodiversity maps and ML-powered tools that integrate mycorrhizal data into climate, conservation, restoration, and land management decisions.