Chief Science Officer

Company Description

Satya Carbon is a pre-seed carbon platform built around high-integrity credit assessment. We help find and structure capital for small and mid-size carbon projects that are individually too small to attract institutional buyers — a portfolio approach with insurance wrapping, supported by a Carbon Advisory engine for developer pre-validation. Underneath sits our due diligence framework, explicitly aligned to the ICVCM Core Carbon Principles Assessment Framework.

Role Description

This is a remote, contract role for a Chief Science Officer at Satya Carbon. The CSO has three core responsibilities: oversight of the due diligence framework, the Carbon Advisory engine, and the scientific integrity layer of our portfolio engine. In addition, the CSO will oversee and drive strategic scientific initiatives in our climate-focused endeavors, lead research and development (R&D) of our carbon platform, and ensure alignment with the company’s mission to deliver reliable, high-impact carbon credit solutions. The role exists to hold the company to the highest scientific standard in carbon markets.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in soil biogeochemistry, forest ecology, ecosystem science, atmospheric/carbon-cycle science, geospatial science, or a directly adjacent field.
• 10+ years of post-Ph.D. experience in carbon markets or climate-focused ventures.
• Proven expertise in Strategic Planning, with the ability to develop and lead scientific initiatives aligned with company goals.
• Demonstrated contributions to scientific bodies governing carbon market integrity — including but not limited to ICVCM expert panels, VCS or Gold Standard methodology development, IPCC working groups, or NRC/National Academies committees on greenhouse gas measurement or carbon accounting.
• Substantial peer-reviewed publication record in tier-one journals in your field, with a publicly searchable Google Scholar profile.
• No conflicting commercial board roles at competing carbon intermediaries, rating agencies, registries, VVBs, or NGOs that are active VCM market participants.
• Must be US-based

What This Role Is Not

• This is not a corporate sustainability, ESG reporting, or GHG accounting role.
• This is not a carbon project development, VVB technical assessor, or carbon-credit-broker operational role.
• This is not an entry- or mid-career role. Candidates earlier in their careers should not apply for the CSO seat.

Compensation

We are pre-seed. No cash salary. Compensation is structured as a revenue share scaled to platform performance. We are explicitly looking for someone for whom their primary academic or research appointment remains the primary commitment, and Satya Carbon is a strategically chosen second commitment with meaningful upside.