Position Overview

The Aspen Global Change Institute is seeking a well-organized, outcome-oriented, and collaboration-inclined researcher to support the Institute’s efforts to leverage engaged research as a means to enhance the impact of research evidence in solving real world problems. This is a unique opportunity to help shape how the research community responds to one of the most consequential disruptions to science-society interactions in multiple generations.

 The position will support this goal through three primary pathways: 

• serving as Managing Director for the Science of Actionable Knowledge community. 
• as a member of AGCI’s growing Engaged Research* Team, lead research on the research practices and institutional strategies that can help to increase the societal impact of research .
• providing expertise to the Climate Reserve, a new initiative at AGCI seeking to, in part, expand capacities for engaged research across the research enterprise. 

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in stakeholder engagement, managing and facilitating communities of practice, knowledge co-production, and social science research methods.

* Engaged research is an approach to research that involves diverse knowledge holders in research design as well as in production, communication, and use of knowledge. Although variations of engaged research exist across disciplines, there are common theoretical underpinnings and a shared history. Engaged research underpinnings include respecting those involved in the study as participants (not just research subjects), social justice, reflexive research paradigms, an impacts orientation, and the need to address complex "wicked" problems.    

Term: Full-Time. (Funding committed for 1 Year with anticipated renewal depending on performance and funding availability.)

Location: The position can be remote anywhere within the continental United States.

Travel Requirements: Up to 4 domestic trips per year and up to 1 international trip per year

Position Title: Engaged Research Scientist               

Placement

The Engaged Research Scientists will sit within AGCI’s Engaged Research Team, reporting to AGCI’s Research Director, with day-to-day guidance from co-leads of the Science of Actionable Knowledge community (including AGCI Executive Director). 

Responsibilities

Managing Director of the Science of Actionable Knowledge Community.  This function will include:

• Convening and leading follow-up actions from SOAK community meetings and developing engagement strategies to connect the SOAK community to aligned and complementary networks.
• Helping SOAK community to build out and utilize its Collective Institutional Shifts (CIS) framework
• Supporting the SOAK community’s effort to accomplish its strategic objectives through three pathways
• Enabling the execution of a scenario-based exploration of future science-policy interfaces, including facilitation of structured visioning workshops and preparation of peer-reviewed findings.
• Creating a plan and leading implementation for how SOAK engages in external collaborations. This may include actively participating in aligned networks and activities of efforts like the Impact Funders Forum, Transforming Evidence Network, Research on Research Institute.
• Tailoring, organizing, and distributing accessible resources from SOAK and other communities about strategies for producing actionable knowledge. 

Developing an agenda for research on engaged research. This function will directly support the strategy of AGCI’s Engaged Research team and may include:

• Developing, seeking funding for and leading new research on the drivers and barriers to actionable knowledge, especially within and across institutions. 
• Identifying opportunities to embed studies on engaged research or actionable knowledge into existing AGCI projects, such as ongoing studies at AGCI of funding practice innovation.

Supporting AGCI’s Climate Reserve. This may include:

• Contributing to discussions and planning initiatives to build institutional structures for more durable engaged, inclusive, and integrated research 

• Conducting research studies as part of Climate Reserve’s learning and integration program.
• Participating in Climate Reserve Coalition of professional development program alongside other individuals supported with Climate Reserve funding

Requirements

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (required) and Masters or Doctorate degree (preferred)
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in managing communities of practices, conducting social science research, or practicing engaged research methodologies
• Experience working across different institutional, sectoral, and geographic contexts at various positions across science policy interface
• Experience designing, collecting, and analyzing results from interviews and surveys
• Experience facilitating, coordinating, connecting, and mobilizing networks or communities with shared goals and diverse perspectives
• Public service experience is strongly valued along with commitment to the public value of climate knowledge and climate action.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• Ability to take ownership of tasks, manage time independently, and deliver high-quality work on time.
• Excellent research, analysis, and synthesis skills, with clear written and verbal communication.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with diverse partners.
• Adaptability, growth mindset, and commitment to equity and inclusion.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Slack, and web-based document tools; experience or willingness to learn new platforms (e.g. Salesforce).
• Ability and willingness to travel, US and internationally.
• Empathy for the challenges operating at different positions in the boundary between science and practice; openness to learning and testing out new ways of doing things
• Ability to thrive in a small, supportive team that values curiosity, attention to detail, flexibility, growth, humor, open communication, self-motivation, and the power of integrating different ways of knowing

Benefits

Work Schedule & Compensation

The anticipated start date is as soon as possible, and no later than August 15, 2026. AGCI operates a physical​, primary office in Basalt, Colorado, with staff working from other states as part of its “Institute Without Walls” approach. Remote work within the United States is permitted in this role.

Compensation: Anticipated salary range is $90,000 - 113,000. This hiring range is based on the general US market - this range may be adjusted based on an individual candidate's geographic location. AGCI offers a generous benefits package, including organization-paid employee and dependent medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability, 401(k) with up to 10% employer contributions, PTO, paid parental leave, flexible scheduling, wellness benefits, and professional development opportunities.

TO APPLY

Applicants are strongly encouraged to include a cover letter with their resume. For questions, you may contact [email protected] and include "Engaged Research Scientist" in the email subject line.

Applications received before July 7, 2026, may receive priority consideration. Additional applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis thereafter until a candidate is appointed.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without work visa sponsorship.

Aspen Global Change Institute is committed to providing an equal employment opportunity for all applicants and to ensuring a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. We welcome people of all identities, backgrounds, and experiences to apply.

If you feel you do not meet all the listed qualifications but are capable of accomplishing the aims of this position, we encourage your application. You will have the opportunity to share additional details about your work experience that are not reflected in a traditional resume. Our employment decisions are based on our organizational needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, family or parental status, disability, age, national origin, or any other protected status.

ABOUT AGCI

Aspen Global Change Institute (AGCI) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to advance global change science and solutions. AGCI seeks to improve understanding of human and Earth systems, catalyze solutions at speed and scale, and nurture integrated communities across research and practice. We convene events, conduct research, provide advice to decision-makers, and develop innovative initiatives, including re-granting and fiscal sponsorships, for implementation through a wide network of partners. Running through AGCI’s DNA is a strong institutional commitment to excellence in science that is actionable and accessible. For more information visit agci.org.

AGCI was founded in 1989 and is a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) organization that supports staff and partners working to implement a mission that is international in scope yet grounded in local contexts and problem domains. As an "Institute Without Walls," AGCI staff and consultants are based in a variety of locations across the United States.

ABOUT SOAK

The Science of Actionable Knowledge (SOAK) is a community of social scientists, engaged researchers, and practitioners. We conduct rigorous research and critical scholarship on how science is produced and used in decisions and actions. We seek to understand what enables knowledge to support actions that increase social and environmental well-being. We also work with research institutions and funders to learn about and implement leading practices for supporting actionable knowledge production. Through this work we build the capacity of SOAK scientists and practitioners. More about SOAK may be found on www.scienceofactionableknowledge.org

ABOUT CLIMATE RESERVE

Climate Reserve (CR) is a field-building initiative designed to safeguard and modernize the climate capacity needed for scaled global action. Born from a moment of profound disruption, CR is building a durable community of strategically placed climate experts to sustain critical work across data, science, policy, implementation, and frontline communities, with an eye towards reimagining how knowledge, talent, and institutions coordinate on climate action. By embedding talent in high-leverage roles and connecting those roles through a responsive learning and coordination network, CR is helping rebuild a climate ecosystem that is more resilient, distributed, and built to last.