Director of Research, Yale Applied Science Synthesis Program

Yale University: School of the Environment

Location

New Haven, CT

Open Date

Apr 06, 2026

Description

The Yale Applied Science Synthesis Program (YASSP) is a joint initiative of The Forest School at the Yale School of the Environment and the Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture (YCNCC).

The program connects academic researchers, policymakers, and those managing lands to answer applied questions about how land management decisions affect the services provided by forests, croplands, wetlands, rangelands, and grasslands.

We work with for- and not-for-profit partners that need to make decisions on sustainable land management practices. Our work focuses on the regional context within which local management decisions are made, to help maximize ecosystem benefits provided by these land resources, such as carbon storage, sustainable food production, and biodiversity. Our mission reflects the founding principles of The Forest School, which was first established in 1900, to develop applied scientific knowledge to guide effective stewardship of the nation’s forests. Core support for our work is funded by the YCNCC and the Yale School of the Environment, including The Forest School where the program is housed.

The Director of Research will hold a faculty appointment as a Research Scientist in the Yale School of the Environment.

YASSP is an applied research group formed to address the following research objectives:

• Identify change(s) in established and establishing forestry, agricultural, and ecosystem management practices that are expected to reduce the climate change contributions of current practices by decreasing net greenhouse gas emissions and increasing albedo;
• Focus on managed ecosystems, ecosystem restoration, and on practices that can or may be widely adopted and the need to involve practitioners and/or policymakers from the outset to specify questions;
• Focus on synthesis of data that are available to assess state-of-knowledge, to identify key data gaps, and to guide future data collection for assessing the effectiveness of natural climate solution practices;
• Quantify our best estimate, given the data available, of the effect size of a change in practice for the specific local and regional context, to develop a general enough understanding as to reliably estimate the effect sizes across within-region environmental variation;
• Communicate openly and widely the synthesis findings so that natural climate solutions’ efficacy of specific practices is transparent and authoritative.

YASSP is a mission-driven program centered on generating science to support decision making, by producing quantitative, reputable, transparent, scientific syntheses that guide and inform direct actions and future data collection around land stewardship. We seek to be a space for open collaboration among practitioners, academics and policymakers to develop applied science that guides sustainable management of land. Our key projects areas include regenerative agriculture, sustainable forest management, greenhouse gas accounting, and biodiversity.

Job Summary

The Director of Research will lead the program which includes a staff of five researchers and various student researchers, as well as a portfolio of approximately twenty projects at various stages of completion. The position will additionally engage and support other YCNCC research groups focused on land management of agriculture, forest, and coastal wetland systems. This position is ideal for individuals with research background in ecology, agricultural sciences, ecosystem management, forestry and/or land management who are looking to expand and direct their expertise to meaningful research initiatives, policies, and practices in sustainable land stewardship.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Research Program Oversight

• Work closely with the Faculty Directors to develop and implement the program’s research strategy, ensuring alignment with the program’s mission, partner needs, and the goals of The Forest School (TFS) and the Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture (YCNCC).
• Lead integration and synthesis across multiple projects, with an emphasis on cross-cutting insights related to carbon capture, ecosystem management and co-benefits of a broad range of interventions under the umbrella of natural climate solutions.
• Support the co-design of research with external partners at a strategic level while empowering Program Scientists to manage operational details.
• Strengthen the program’s visibility, reputation, and influence within the University and with external partners by engaging with other Yale Centers and Programs and with external events (e.g., Climate Week)
• Oversee the execution of MOUs, partnership agreements, and data use agreements in coordination with the Program Administrator and University offices.
• Engage and support other YCNCC research groups focused on climate solutions relevant to land management.

Grant Development & Financial Oversight

• Lead identification of funding opportunities and oversee the development of major grant proposals—including public and private funding—working closely with Faculty Directors, YCNCC and TFS leadership, YASSP Program Scientists, and external partners
• Oversee grant compliance and high-level financial stewardship across the program’s research, with detailed financial monitoring supported by the Program Administrator.
• Ensure that resources are allocated effectively to support program needs and long-term sustainability

Team Leadership & Mentorship

• Supervise research and administrative staff including Program Scientists, postdocs, postgraduate fellows, and graduate student research assistants; provide mentorship, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities.
• Recruit and onboard research personnel in collaboration with Faculty Directors, Program Administrator, and Program Scientists.
• Foster a collaborative and mission-driven culture within the research team.

Communications & Research Dissemination

• Oversee and lead the production of research outputs—including reports, policy briefs, datasets, and publications—ensuring quality and alignment with the program’s research goals.
• Coordinate with Program Administrator and YSE, TFS, and YCNCC communications staff to translate reseearch findings for academic, practioner, and public audiences.
• Represent the program's research - including as a strategic component of TFS and YCNCC - in institutional communications and media engagements when appropriate.

Qualifications

The Director of Research will be supervised by the YASSP Faculty Directors, Dr. Mark Bradford and Dr. Sara Kuebbing. Minimum Requirements:

• PhD in a relevant field such as ecology, conservation, restoration and land management, forestry, agroecology, soil ecology, environmental science (internship or volunteer experience may be considered).
• At least 3 years of postdoctoral experience developing and leading research projects.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams and with external partners.
• Deep understanding of applied research methods, including causal inference and cross-discipline/industry partnerships.
• Exceptional organization skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated expertise in data management and analytical design.
• Proven ability to manage teams and deliver research projects of moderate to high complexity.
• Eagerness to adopt new methods, technologies, and strategies.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with carbon crediting protocols, emerging carbon markets and greenhouse gas accounting and policy.
• Experience leading a group of researchers in varied career stages.

Application Instructions

To apply, please upload a cover letter, 2-page research statement, a CV, and a list of three potential references. We will begin review of applications on May 4 and consider applications until the position is filled.