Research Specialist, Water & Climate Equity

Location: Pacific Institute is a remote-first organization. Must reside in the US Job Type: FTE (35 hours per week) Exempt Salary range: Range USD $80,000-$95,000 per year commensurate with qualifications, geographic location, and includes a competitive benefits package. Travel: Some travel may be required, including overnight stays Application Deadline: Open until filled About Us: The Pacific Institute is a global water think tank that combines science-based thought leadership with active outreach and engagement to influence local, national, and international efforts in water sustainability and resilience. Our vision is to create a world in which society, the economy, and the environment have the water they need to thrive now and in the future. Since 1987, we have worked with diverse groups ranging from major corporations to frontline communities with a mission of creating and advancing solutions to the world’s most pressing water challenges. Our work is routinely featured in national and global top-tier media, and we engage more than 270 partners, including NGOs, utilities, policymakers, businesses, and others. The Pacific Institute’s Water and Climate Equity (WCE) Program focuses on the intersection of water insecurity, climate change, and social inequity and utilizes a collaborative, co-production research approach. It works in collaboration with nonprofit and community-based organizations in frontline communities. The WCE research, decision-support information, and tools are designed to meet the needs of frontline communities and the organizations that support them to strengthen the climate resilience of water and sanitation systems in the United States. About the Role: We are seeking a strong, mid-career research professional to support multi-year applied research and writing on water and climate issues in the United States. This role is designed for someone who excels at deep analytical work, has demonstrated long-term commitment to complex research initiatives, and brings the professional maturity needed to navigate evolving priorities and funding landscapes. We are looking for someone who sees rigorous research as a tool for helping communities shape equitable responses to complex water and climate issues. The ideal candidate is a researcher first: someone who enjoys intellectual inquiry, sustained project ownership, and producing high-quality analytical work, while also bringing the generalist range needed to collaborate across disciplines, translate findings for diverse audiences, and support applied research initiatives. This position is well-suited for candidates who are committed to continuous knowledge development and are driven by the intellectual demands of long-term research. This role is a strong fit if you: Prefer research, analysis, and writing as your core work. You prioritize rigorous research design, deep analysis, and sustained inquiry over primary roles in community engagement, policy advocacy, or communications. Thrive with flexible priorities and ambiguity. You do well when priorities shift and projects evolve with funding cycles rather than needing a highly structured, predictable schedule. Prefer long‑horizon projects. You find intellectual satisfaction in sustained, multi‑year research rather than short‑cycle projects, rapid task switching, or fast‑paced promotion tracks. Work style centered on analytical focus. You do your best analytical work in settings that emphasize concentrated analysis (including home‑office or remote work), while still collaborating with colleagues and partners. Comfortable with limited in‑person interaction. You do not rely on frequent in‑person contact or spontaneous office interactions to stay engaged; you can maintain motivation and productivity with less day‑to‑day social interaction. Energized by remote, self-motivated work. Remote work energizes you; you do not find working from home isolating or draining. Responsibilities: Research and Analysis Conduct rigorous applied research on water-climate-equity topics using mixed methods Collect, analyze, and synthesize quantitative and qualitative data from primary and secondary sources Conduct literature reviews, landscape scans, and interviews to inform projects Collaborate on multi-year research projects, including co-design, planning, and execution Synthesize interdisciplinary research across social and natural sciences Writing, Communication, and Reporting Prepare high-quality project deliverables, including reports, briefs, peer-reviewed publications, and presentations tailored to technical and non-technical audiences Translate technical findings into accessible materials for practitioners, policymakers, and community partners Ensure project outputs meet high-quality standards of rigor, ethics, and relevance. Contribute to the development of decision-support tools, frameworks, and resources for practitioners and policymakers Share project outputs with key internal and external partners and communities Project and Program Management Coordinate team meetings, project workflows, timelines, and deliverables Document decisions, track progress, and communicate next steps Fundraising and Resource Development Support fundraising activities and funder relations, including researching funders and contributing to proposal development and grant reporting. Track and report progress against funder requirements and organizational commitments. External Engagement Work with external research partners to advance shared research agendas Represent Pacific Institute at convenings, partner meetings, and public forums relevant to water, climate, and equity Contribute to a collaborative, respectful, and research-driven team culture requirements: Professional Experience and Tenure Minimum 7+ years of experience in applied research related to water, climate, environmental science, environmental justice Master’s degree with thesis in a relevant field (e.g., water resources, climate sciences, environmental sciences, sustainability, social sciences, natural resource management) Minimum 4 years of continuous employment with a single organization, demonstrating long-term commitment and the ability to contribute to multi-year initiatives Significant experience working in the United States on US water and climate issues working with US-based partners, agencies, or frontline communities (minimum 2 years) Research and Technical Skills Proficient subject matter expertise in water-climate-equity research, with demonstrated ability designing and significantly contributing to applied multi-year research projects Strong interdisciplinary research skills across social and natural sciences Expertise in using qualitative and quantitative methods Expertise in managing and analyzing complex datasets Track record of producing high quality research outputs, including at least two lead author peer-reviewed publications Strong proficiency with Zotero or similar citation management tools Communication, Project Coordination, and Fundraising Excellent writing and editing skills for both technical and non-technical audiences; demonstrated ability to independently prepare high-quality deliverables Strong oral communication and presentation skills Intermediate experience with fundraising and resource development, including contributing to proposals and funder reports Demonstrated ability to coordinate project teams and partners, manage project work plans, and deliver high-quality outputs on schedule Demonstrated success navigating ambiguity, shifting priorities, and funding cycles Preferred qualifications: Proficiency with GIS, QDA software, or advanced quantitative data tools Experience working with Tribal Nations/Indigenous peoples, low-income communities, or communities of color on water or climate issues Experience contributing to large-scale assessments (e.g., National Climate Assessment) Experience developing decision-support tools or data visualizations Expertise in nature-based solutions, public health, or water affordability Compensation and Benefits This position is eligible for paid vacation and benefits. The Pacific Institute offers an excellent compensation package, including a generous health, dental, and Institute-matched retirement plan and a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience and reflects the field. Hiring Range: $80,000 - $95,000 (if selected for an interview, a salary range within our hiring range that is specific to the candidates' geographic location will be shared). Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion The Pacific Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Diversity is a core value at Pacific Institute. We are dedicated to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within our team and culture for two reasons: To stay true to our values and principles: We recognize that historical and current injustices have left out certain voices and perspectives from decision-making about accessing and managing water resources. We acknowledge that the representation of these groups in water-related decision-making and careers is an important step towards addressing past and current injustices. Because Pacific Institute participates in water-related decision-making, we acknowledge that hiring and retaining a diverse staff can contribute to a broader need to address systemic injustices. To better achieve Pacific Institute's mission and vision: We know that having diverse perspectives makes for better research, creative solutions, and can help us achieve our mission. We recognize that a diverse team with varied perspectives, skills, and experiences is essential for generating and scaling innovative ideas that solve increasingly complex challenges. We make an active effort to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected, heard, validated, empowered, and celebrated across different identities and cultures. We aim to constantly evolve our approach to DEI to reflect best practices in this work, just as we do with our water and climate research . As part of this commitment, we request that all candidates include a short statement in their cover letter to address how your addition to our staff would contribute to our DEI efforts. To Apply Please submit the following: A cover letter of no more than two pages, including: Your interest in the work of the Pacific Institute Water and Climate Equity Program and specific fit for this position; A summary of your relevant experience and qualifications; A personal DEI statement described above; Your CV/Resume; Please include evidence of your publication track record and the title of your Master’s thesis; A peer-reviewed writing sample that should be a published piece as a solo or lead author with a maximum of 5 to 10 pages in length (references pages are not included in page count) that demonstrates proficiency in the required qualifications. No immigration or relocation assistance is available for this position. No phone calls, please. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. About our recruitment process: Here’s what you can expect: Application review Schedule a Phone Screen interview with the HR Manager Schedule a group interview with the Hiring Manager and Team Schedule a second group interview with the Hiring Manager and Team References Offer