Biodiversity Analyst | Washington D.C., USA | IUCN (2025)

Unit: Centre for Science and Knowledge

Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Location: North America Regional Office, Washington D.C., United States of America

Reporting to: Head of Conservation Science and Technology

Work percentage: 100%

Grade: P1

Type of contract: Fixed-term (12 months with possibility of renewal)

BACKGROUND

IUCN’s Science Team, within the Science & Data Centre, represents IUCN’s expertise on conservation science with an emphasis on standards and metrics to assess the status of and risk to biodiversity, and reduce and responses to reverse this risk. It generates new and insightful analysis that advances conservation perspectives and raises IUCN’s credibility and profile, while at the same time, provides the necessary support to other teams for the consistent integration of scientifically robust baselines and analysis across the IUCN programme portfolio. The Science Team is globally decentralised with staff in San Jose (Costa Rica), Cambridge (United Kingdom), Gland (Switzerland), and Washington DC (USA).

A particular focus of this position will be working with the Species Threat Abatement and Restoration (STAR) metric, which was developed by IUCN and designed to support science-based target setting for species conservation (Mair et al. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 2021). STAR quantifies the reduction in global species extinction risk that could be achieved in any given area of interest (AOI) through two approaches: threat abatement and habitat restoration . The STAR metric enables conservation actors to measure their contributions within frameworks that link threat abatement and habitat restoration activities (Targets 1-8 in the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework) to species conservation outcomes (Goal A of this framework). Estimated STAR scores provide useful information on the species and threats likely present within an area. However, to effectively sett and measure progress towards targets in an AOI, these estimates must be confirmed within the area. This validation process produces a calibrated STAR score against which conservation progress can be measured. Currently, methods are being developed to deploy remotely sensed data to improve this calibration process. These methods aim to confirm both species presence and threats occurrence, while also assessing threat intensity within specific AOI.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Major responsibilities

The Biodiversity Analyst will support the execution of the portfolio of projects through the Science Team. A key responsibility will be analyzing and applying biodiversity data that adheres to IUCN standards across all projects. The Analyst will collaborate closely with IUCN Commissions and partner organisations with peer conservation science-related institutions and networks, including IUCN Member institutions and external partners such as the Global Environment Facility and NASA. The role will also involve contributing to scientific publications into the peer reviewed literature, either into independent scientific journals or as IUCN publications, as well as presentations in scientific and policy-related conferences and other fora.

The Biodiversity Analyst position requires expertise in advanced spatial analysis of biodiversity data. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in data wrangling, spatial analyses and statistical modelling in R, including proficiency in integrating remotely sensed data with in situ species data on the ground. The Biodiversity Analyst will play a significant role in extending the STAR metric as well as deploying it through analyses and in collaboration with end-users (for example in Mesoamerican protected areas). The Biodiversity Analyst will serve a substantial role in supporting end-user (businesses, governments, civil society institutions, Indigenous groups) in calibrating site-specific STAR analyses through R-based spatial analysis working with the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (ibat-alliance.org), to develop tailored biodiversity assessments. Finally, the Biodiversity Analyst will support project design, management and reporting to Science Team project portfolio, including liaising with the finance team for budget management.

Specific duties

1. Design and execute complex spatial analyses of biodiversity data in R. For example:
   a. Working with Area of Habitat and threat data to incorporate new taxonomic groups, eg. Trees into the STAR metric.
   b. Drawing on remotely sensed data to update habitat cover and analyze trends across regions such as biodiversity hotspots
2. Undertake a substantial role in supporting end-users’ efforts to calibrate STAR in order to guide conservation actions in their particular areas of interest through spatial analysis (eg in R), interactions with IUCN tools and systems, interactions with end-users and other stakeholders, and coordination with experts (eg. IUCN SSC Commission Members).
3. Fulfil project management responsibilities for day-to-day coordination, substantive tracking and reporting on relevant aspects of the Science Team project portfolio projects such as Earth Observations and Biodiversity Hotspots.
4. Serve as focal point for collaborations with remote sensing experts developing methods for assessing threats to species (drawing from the IUCN threats classification) that can be measured using remotely sensed data.
5. Support the implementation of other relevant Science Team projects, in particular through the development of the metrics and methods for science-based targets for biodiversity, including GIS analyses in R, coordination, meeting and event organization and preparation, publications, and liaising with the broader network of stakeholders and contributing to novel analysis.
6. Support the application of the data and knowledge products mobilised against IUCN standards (including but not limited to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and Red List of Ecosystems, the World Database of Key Biodiversity Areas, and the World Database of Protected Areas, IUCN Green List, World Heritage) as appropriate in all projects, including, contributing to novel analyses (e.g., of agriculture as a driver of extinction risk).
7. Perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

The above job description contains the main duties and responsibilities for this position. However, in an organisation such as IUCN, staff members are expected to show flexibility in their approach to work and be willing to undertake other tasks that are reasonably allocated to them, but which are not part of their regular job description. Where any task becomes a regular part of an employee’s responsibilities, the job description will be changed in consultation with the employee and the Human Resources Management Group.

REQUIREMENTS

• PhD in conservation-related scientific field required
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills including expertise and facility performing geospatial analysis in R, data wrangling, and statistical modelling required
• Experience working with spatial biodiversity data required.
• Experience working with IUCN Red List of Threatened Species very useful
• Experience working with and analysing remotely sensed data required
• Excellent people skills, organization, and attention to detail required
• Excellent knowledge of the conservation-related scientific literature required
• Ability to work independently required
• Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams and adapt to diverse cultural contexts required
• Fluency in English required. Fluency in Spanish or French very useful
• Experience collaborating with stakeholders at local, national, and international levels very useful
• Willingness to undertake some travel associated with the position required
• Experience of field conservation in the Global South useful
• Passion for conservation essential

SALARY

The gross annual salary for this position is between USD 81’950 and USD 102’438. While this is an indicative amount effective as of the current date, changes may occur as per IUCN’s compensation practices without prior notice. The same applies to other organisations hosted by IUCN.

About IUCN

IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.

Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.

IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.

Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.

Spatial Data Scientist | Wallingford, UK | UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (2025) 

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Apply advanced GIS tools to spatial datasets to derive key information and innovative metrics
• Create efficient, reproducible workflows to integrate and analyse complex spatial datasets
• Develop innovative ways to visualise data in ways that are intuitive for stakeholders
• Contribute to the development of decision support tools (Farm Health Check) and data products (Habitat Potential Maps)
• Work effectively with project teams that include internal and external collaborators
• Communicate research to a range of audiences, including project partners and stakeholders

For the role of Spatial Data Scientist, we’re looking for somebody who has:

• Advanced skills in GIS and geospatial data analysis
• High level of expertise in handling and analysing spatial data in R
• Ability to implement interpretable and reusable code to ensure the longevity, maintainability, and adaptability of code across projects
• Familiarity with collaborative tools like GitHub
• Creation of interactive spatial data visualisations (e.g., Leaflet)
• Experience in producing dynamic HTML/PDF reports using tools such as R Markdown or Quarto
• A methodical approach and attention to detail, ensuring the delivery of accurate and reliable information to stakeholders.
• Familiarity with UK-extent spatial datasets with a range of sources, formats and resolutions
• Good knowledge of key issues in UK sustainable land use, agriculture and nature conservation
• A working knowledge of UK habitat classification systems (e.g. Priority Habitats, UKHAB, NVC etc)
• Demonstrate a commitment to promote and adhere to UKCEH values of Excellence, Integrity and Teamwork.

Qualifications and experience:

• A postgraduate qualification and/or equivalent experience in a relevant field (e.g. application of geospatial data analysis to environmental research challenges)
• Experience of handling a wide range of spatial data types and formats in GIS environments
• Experience of creating stakeholder-facing visualisations and insights from environmental data

You’ll be joining a leading independent, not-for-profit research institute that’s committed to recruiting talented people like you, progressing your career and giving you the support you need to thrive at UKCEH.

Our science makes a real difference, enabling people and the environment to prosper, and enriching society. We are the custodians of a wealth of environmental data, collected by UKCEH and its predecessors over the course of more than 60 years.

Working for UKCEH is rewarding

We appreciate the continuous dedication and contributions of our staff, which is why we provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes financial incentives and wellbeing-oriented perks, such as:

• 27 days annual leave (rising to 29 days after 5 years’ service) plus 3 days for Christmas closure  
• 10% employer pension contribution 
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (role dependant)
• Peer reward and recognition scheme
• Dental insurance, gym/fitness discounts, retail discount portal
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave  
• 24-hour, 365-day support with physical, mental, social, health or financial issues and much more…