Natural Resources Scientist - Two year fellowship

The Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) is hiring a Natural Resources Scientist with a Ph.D in conservation biology, environmental science, fisheries/wildlife biology, or a closely related field, to advance and develop scientific support for ELPC’s strategic public interest environmental advocacy and litigation at the national, regional, state, and local levels to protect the Great Lakes and the Midwest’s public lands, wildlife, and biodiversity. This is a two-year fellowship position starting in spring 2026, based in our Chicago (preferred) or Washington, D.C. office.

The ELPC Natural Resources Scientist will work with our public interest litigation attorneys, policy advocates, economists, and communications specialists to provide science-based support for litigation and advocacy, educating policymakers, and advancing natural resource protections across the Midwest with a focus on the Great Lakes, public lands, vital natural resources, and wildlife. The Natural Resources Scientist will assist in developing the scientific and technical bases for ELPC’s advocacy and litigation work to effectuate improved environmental policies and protections for the Great Lakes and Midwest, the addition and better management of public lands, and stronger and smarter regulations and permit requirements by federal and state agencies. The Natural Resources Scientist will also evaluate methodologies and rationales in rulemakings, permitting decisions, management actions, and the like to identify potential inadequacies and opportunities for improved environmental protections.

This is an extraordinary time in which ELPC’s effective legal and policy advocacy – backed by strong economic analysis, sound science and public engagement – are essential for protecting core environmental values.

LOCATION : Chicago (preferred) or Washington, D.C., with a hybrid work environment.

ORGANIZATION :

ELPC is the Midwest’s leading public interest environmental legal advocacy and eco-business innovation organization and is among the nation’s leaders. We develop and lead strategic environmental legal advocacy campaigns to improve environmental quality and protect our natural resources. We are public interest environmental entrepreneurs who engage in creative business dealmaking with diverse interests to put into practice our sustainability principles that environmental progress and economic development can be achieved together.

ELPC drives transformational environmental policy changes at the national and regional level. We advance climate solutions with a focus on clean energy alternatives. We protect the Great Lakes and defend the Midwest’s wild and natural places and resources, and we fight for safe, clean water and air for all. We combine effective public interest litigation and strategic policy advocacy, sound science and economic analysis. ELPC produces strong results in the courtrooms, boardrooms, and legislative and administrative hearing rooms across the Midwest and in Washington, D.C.

ELPC’s multidisciplinary staff of 49 talented public interest attorneys, policy advocates, data scientists and communications specialists bring a strong and effective combination of skills to solve environmental problems and improve the quality of life in our communities. Our headquarters is in downtown Chicago, with additional offices and staff across the Midwest states and in Washington, DC. Please visit .

ELPC is proud to be the honored by the American Bar Association's 2023 Award for Excellence in Environmental, Energy, and Resources Stewardship. This prominent national award recognizes ELPC’s significant accomplishments and demonstrated leadership on sustainable environmental and energy advocacy.

RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Work with ELPC’s attorneys and policy specialists to assess threats to the Midwest’s public lands, wildlife, and other natural resources, including the Great Lakes, and to advance strategic advocacy with strong science-based analysis and environmental solutions.
• Work on ELPC’s Great Places – Great Lakes Program team to protect especially at-risk wild and natural places in the Midwest including the four-state Driftless Area landscape (IA-IL-MN-WI), National Wildlife Refuges, the Great Lakes, and the Northwoods.
• Work closely with ELPC’s stellar Science Advisory Council across multiple project opportunities.
• Identify and critically evaluate and analyze scientific research and methodologies relevant to ELPC’s litigation and public advocacy work.
• Draft technical comments, reports, testimony, and other materials, in coordination with ELPC lawyers and policy advocates, to support ELPC’s litigation and advocacy work.
• Assist in developing scientific and factual bases for ELPC’s natural-resource related policy proposals and litigation matters.
• Build and maintain relationships with other scientists focused on relevant natural-resource science work and engage in outreach to the scientific community to support our work.

QUALIFICATIONS :

• Ph.D (strongly preferred) or MS in conservation biology, environmental science, fisheries/wildlife biology, or a closely related field.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills, with the ability to successfully multi-task on multiple projects.
• Excellence in identifying and evaluating scientific research and effective methodologies in natural-resource fields applicable to ELPC litigation and public advocacy work and in communicating complex technical and scientific matters in a manner the public and regulators will comprehend.
• Knowledge of the Midwest/Great Lakes region is strongly preferred, and a desire to apply scientific skills to advance environmental protection and advocacy is a must.
• Experience working in a federal or state natural resources agency is a plus.
• Strong quantitative skills, with proficiency in data analysis and presentation skills, including working knowledge of GIS and statistical programs.
• Interest in working with ELPC’s attorneys and policy advocates to advance the organization’s goals of protecting the Midwest’s natural resources and ensuring a clean and healthy environment for Midwesterners.

SALARY :
For spring 2026 starting date, salary range of $80,000 – $110,000 (for Ph D.s) based on level of experience and skills fit for this position. ELPC offers a nationally competitive salary and this position is eligible for the full suite of ELPC's excellent benefits.

APPLICATION PROCESS :
Please include the following with your application:

1. Resumé or Curriculum Vitae
2. One-page cover letter explaining your interest in and qualifications for ELPC’s Natural Resources Scientist position.
3. Three professional references.

Please also be ready to provide (upon request): (1) your graduate school transcript; and (2) a writing sample (a paper, memorandum, or article for which you were the lead author or principal writer and which was either unedited or only lightly edited by someone else).

Preference will be given to candidates who apply by January 6, 2025 . However, if you have a strong environmental advocacy mindset and believe yourself a good match, please apply as soon as possible and we will review your application on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The Environmental Law & Policy Center considers applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, genetic predisposition, national origin, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.
If you are interested in any of our open positions but are unable to apply online due to a disability, please email  [email protected] for assistance with a reference to the specific job(s) you are interested in.