Senior Scientist RL 2026-01

Position Description

The San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) is seeking a senior-level scientist or engineer to join our Baylands and Shoreline Resilience team. As a core member of SFEI’s Resilient Landscapes Program, you’ll join an accomplished team advancing science to adapt human communities, ecosystems, and infrastructure to the impacts of climate change. From advising on local shoreline adaptation projects to developing regional decision support tools, our work bridges science and action. We collaborate with local governments, community organizations, and agencies on programs and projects that enhance the ecological resilience of San Francisco Bay’s ecosystems. 

The successful candidate will support a range of projects within the Resilient Landscapes Program and will work both independently and collaboratively, with guidance from senior staff.

Primary position responsibilities could include:

• Providing technical assistance on shoreline adaptation projects, especially the design and implementation of nature-based solutions
• Undertaking research and developing scientific tools and resources to support restoration and adaptation efforts
• Leading projects, including team and budget management
• Leading fundraising efforts to support future work
• Supporting the Wetlands Regional Monitoring Program

If you are excited about this role, but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this, or one of our other roles.

Qualifications

This position requires participation in site visits and community meetings at locations around the Bay Area (including occasional weekend and evening events). Local presence is required.

Minimum Experience

• Bachelor's degree + 14 years of experience in coastal/estuarine adaptation, restoration, science, or monitoring
• Master’s degree + 12 years of experience in coastal/estuarine adaptation, restoration, science, or monitoring
• PhD + 5 years of experience in coastal/estuarine adaptation, restoration, science, or monitoring

Required Skills

• Familiarity with San Francisco Bay, its ecosystems, and/or its physical dynamics
• Background in shoreline adaptation planning, geomorphology, hydrology, ecology, coastal engineering, or other relevant field
• Proven project leadership and management capabilities
• Creative thinking and scientific vision
• Demonstrated ability to secure funding
• Strong communication and facilitation skills, including presenting at meetings
• Collaborative and supportive work approach 

Preferred Skills

• Understanding of sea level rise and shoreline adaptation science
• Experience with estuarine shoreline and wetland restoration and/or adaptation project planning, design, and implementation
• Ability to evaluate site feasibility for nature-based solutions for shoreline adaptation
• Familiarity with design of living shorelines projects (nearshore reefs, eelgrass beds, coarse beaches, etc).
• Coastal engineering background and skills
• Familiarity with permitting of restoration and adaptation projects
• Experience supervising and mentoring junior staff