Program Scientist
Schmidt Sciences is a nonprofit organization founded in 2024 by Eric and Wendy Schmidt that works to accelerate scientific knowledge and breakthroughs with the most promising, advanced tools to support a thriving planet. The organization prioritizes research in areas poised for impact including AI and advanced computing, astrophysics, biosciences, climate, and space—as well as supporting researchers in a variety of disciplines through its science systems program.
The Schmidt Sciences Climate Institute seeks to understand how our planet works and the ways it's changing, connect climate research to action by developing science-driven tools, and empower interdisciplinary networks needed to drive climate solutions.
Reporting to the Climate Director, the Program Scientist will execute on all aspects of strategic grantmaking for the Earth system modeling portfolio, including leading the Virtual Earth System Research Institute (VESRI) program and advancing our new cross-cutting AI for Climate, Energy, and the Environment (AI4ECE) initiative.
We seek a mid-career scientist with deep subject matter expertise ranging from climate model development to AI/ML-enabled emulators to calibration frameworks. The Program Scientist sets the scientific direction for the portfolio and leads the review and diligence of research proposals, tracking gifts and grants throughout their lifecycle, as well as supporting the awardee community. As part of their responsibilities, the Program Scientist, working with the Institute Lead, Director, and Advisory Board, will lead an integrated and interdisciplinary team to develop new areas and approaches for Earth system modeling research. They will manage existing and new programs, including a proposed multi‑phase Climate Modeling Challenge to shorten model development cycles by enabling rapid integration of model improvements (e.g., novel parameterizations, emulators, ML components).
Virtual Institute: Schmidt Sciences has developed a model called the Virtual Institute which we define as a network of multiple high-risk, high-impact research projects typically composed of multiple international teams taking complementary approaches to a common problem. The Program Scientist will ensure the success of current VESRI projects and create a roadmap for future funding, including the launch of the Climate Modeling Challenge. Currently in its 5th year, VESRI aims to improve the realism and credibility of Earth system models and create a new generation of models more responsive to data and more adaptable to planning needs. To date, VESRI has convened hundreds of climate and data scientists across 11 countries, and ~50 institutions to advance methods and algorithms that improve representation of essential processes in Earth system models and promote team science, sustainable software, and open data. As VESRI evolves and expands, we seek an expert who can lead the strategic application of recent advances in AI/ML methods to address a range of limitations in current Earth and energy systems models to achieve orders-of-magnitude faster development cycles.
AI for Climate, Energy, and the Environment (AI4ECE): The Climate Institute seeks to advance a new cross-cutting initiative focused on applying AI/ML to better couple Earth and energy system models to deliver accurate, reliable, decision‑relevant insights on climate impacts, decarbonization pathways, and resource needs. While there are significant dedicated efforts, particularly in the private sector, in using AI/ML for shorter-term weather forecasting, the AI4ECE initiative will focus on improving medium-to-long term climate projections which we believe remain under-resourced and under-funded. Purely data-driven models, while skilled at short to medium term forecasting, fail to represent the internal variability of Earth systems and do not extrapolate well to different forcings (e.g. unseen emission scenarios) because they are missing the representation of processes that evolve slowly (e.g. carbon cycle, ocean carbon/heat uptake) and any associated feedbacks. The Program Scientist will work collaboratively across the Climate Institute to drive the success of this initiative.
Grantmaking And Strategic Leadership
Key Responsibilities for this role include the following:
This is an exempt position.
Schmidt Sciences, is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that proudly pursues and hires a
diverse workforce. We do not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, color,
religion or religious belief, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender-identity, sexual
orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable local,
state, or federal laws or prohibited by Company policy. We strive for a healthy and safe workplace and
strictly prohibit harassment of any kind.
The Schmidt Sciences Climate Institute seeks to understand how our planet works and the ways it's changing, connect climate research to action by developing science-driven tools, and empower interdisciplinary networks needed to drive climate solutions.
Reporting to the Climate Director, the Program Scientist will execute on all aspects of strategic grantmaking for the Earth system modeling portfolio, including leading the Virtual Earth System Research Institute (VESRI) program and advancing our new cross-cutting AI for Climate, Energy, and the Environment (AI4ECE) initiative.
We seek a mid-career scientist with deep subject matter expertise ranging from climate model development to AI/ML-enabled emulators to calibration frameworks. The Program Scientist sets the scientific direction for the portfolio and leads the review and diligence of research proposals, tracking gifts and grants throughout their lifecycle, as well as supporting the awardee community. As part of their responsibilities, the Program Scientist, working with the Institute Lead, Director, and Advisory Board, will lead an integrated and interdisciplinary team to develop new areas and approaches for Earth system modeling research. They will manage existing and new programs, including a proposed multi‑phase Climate Modeling Challenge to shorten model development cycles by enabling rapid integration of model improvements (e.g., novel parameterizations, emulators, ML components).
Virtual Institute: Schmidt Sciences has developed a model called the Virtual Institute which we define as a network of multiple high-risk, high-impact research projects typically composed of multiple international teams taking complementary approaches to a common problem. The Program Scientist will ensure the success of current VESRI projects and create a roadmap for future funding, including the launch of the Climate Modeling Challenge. Currently in its 5th year, VESRI aims to improve the realism and credibility of Earth system models and create a new generation of models more responsive to data and more adaptable to planning needs. To date, VESRI has convened hundreds of climate and data scientists across 11 countries, and ~50 institutions to advance methods and algorithms that improve representation of essential processes in Earth system models and promote team science, sustainable software, and open data. As VESRI evolves and expands, we seek an expert who can lead the strategic application of recent advances in AI/ML methods to address a range of limitations in current Earth and energy systems models to achieve orders-of-magnitude faster development cycles.
AI for Climate, Energy, and the Environment (AI4ECE): The Climate Institute seeks to advance a new cross-cutting initiative focused on applying AI/ML to better couple Earth and energy system models to deliver accurate, reliable, decision‑relevant insights on climate impacts, decarbonization pathways, and resource needs. While there are significant dedicated efforts, particularly in the private sector, in using AI/ML for shorter-term weather forecasting, the AI4ECE initiative will focus on improving medium-to-long term climate projections which we believe remain under-resourced and under-funded. Purely data-driven models, while skilled at short to medium term forecasting, fail to represent the internal variability of Earth systems and do not extrapolate well to different forcings (e.g. unseen emission scenarios) because they are missing the representation of processes that evolve slowly (e.g. carbon cycle, ocean carbon/heat uptake) and any associated feedbacks. The Program Scientist will work collaboratively across the Climate Institute to drive the success of this initiative.
Grantmaking And Strategic Leadership
Key Responsibilities for this role include the following:
- Set the scientific vision and ensure the success of the Earth system modeling portfolio.
- Lead all aspects of annual grantmaking for multi-million dollar awards, assessing opportunities, evaluating the impact, and managing diverse recipient organizations.
- Manage a complex, international portfolio: milestones, risk, inter‑team dependencies, and synthesis of technical progress into model‑facing outputs ready for integration into global modeling centers.
- Build cross-disciplinary collaborations across Earth and energy science communities, integrating models and data from currently siloed communities, and ultimately tailoring model outputs to the needs of climate action.
- Serve as an expert advisor on scientific topics for the climate team, including coupled model development, climate emulators, AI and machine learning, Earth system model scenarios, carbon emissions and attribution, and climate mitigation.
- Review and vet research proposals for scientific promise and viability, in conjunction with the broader Climate team.
- Work with other parts of Schmidt Sciences while bringing an objective scientific approach to a variety of societal and organizational challenges.
- Architect, launch, and lead the next phase of VESRI beginning with the Climate Modeling Challenge, including leading RFP process.
- Drive the internal project assessment process for new and ongoing projects and ensure that the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning framework captures key insights for assessing progress and/or alignment within the context of the program’s core priorities and the broader Climate Institute.
- Broker collaborations with modeling centers to incorporate advances into legacy and next‑gen models without compromising stability or generalizability.
- Serve as a credible scientific counterpart to PIs, modeling centers, computing partners, and funders; represent the program in talks, briefings, and synthesis reports. Enable awardees to achieve impact by providing expertise and technical assistance, as appropriate.
- Clearly and consistently communicate with awardees, team, and other partners in a transparent, timely, and respectful manner.
- Organize Schmidt Sciences-sponsored meetings of awardees, advisors, and field experts.
- Identify organizations — including universities, labs, other research facilities, and philanthropic and government organizations — that could work in concert with Schmidt Sciences on efforts relating to Climate.
- Represent Schmidt Sciences effectively in meetings, presentations, public forums, and conferences, engaging with awardees, leaders across sectors, officials, academics, and journalists.
- Manage the award proposal process to ensure the overall scientific priorities in the carbon portfolio and set future directions for engagement.
- Conduct oversight, management, and evaluation of grants/gifts in the portfolio.
- Refine portfolio strategies, pursue new grantmaking opportunities, and conduct research in strategic priority areas.
- Integrate strategic communications and evaluation into grantmaking; foster ongoing learning among grantees and staff to inform strategy; and synthesize and share insights.
- Help to design programs and strategies that draw upon one or more scientific disciplines related to the program.
- Continually monitor and address complex legal, financial, and technical issues that may arise in partnership with Schmidt Sciences grantmaking teams.
- Create strategy documents, presentations, etc. for Schmidt Sciences leadership and founders.
- Provide support for all existing Climate Institute programs by providing networking assistance, scientific expertise, and mentorship, as needed, and by working closely and collaboratively with the teams responsible for delivery.
- Work with other members of the Schmidt Sciences team to drive organizational priorities and role model our values.
- A scientific doctorate from an accredited institution.
- Demonstrated track record of scientific accomplishments, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, patents, successful grant applications, or contributions to innovative research projects, ensuring the ability to bring expertise and insights to advance scientific objectives.
- At least 7 years of work experience, preferably with at least some experience in non-profits, philanthropy, or government post PhD.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate and a record of impact in high-intensity, team-based environments.
- The highest integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Be based at the Schmidt Sciences offices in New York and be able to travel within the U.S. and internationally on a regular basis as needed.
- Demonstrated track record of leading and managing large, multi-million dollar programs.
- Demonstrated interest in climate-relevant AI/ML techniques, interdisciplinary research and real-world applications.
- Strong publication record.
- Expert-level experience and credentials in one or more fields of science related to Earth system modeling, emulators, AI/ML methods for climate, and data assimilation.
- Ability to critically analyze and assess funding proposals and other opportunities.
- Experience working with other science-focused institutions such as philanthropic organizations or academic research institutions.
- Experience with deep learning, cloud computing, and geospatial datasets.
- Demonstrated ability to develop partnerships and to lead efforts end-to end.
This is an exempt position.
Schmidt Sciences, is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that proudly pursues and hires a
diverse workforce. We do not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, color,
religion or religious belief, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender-identity, sexual
orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable local,
state, or federal laws or prohibited by Company policy. We strive for a healthy and safe workplace and
strictly prohibit harassment of any kind.