About SPUN

The Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN) was founded in 2021 with a mission to map, protect, and harness the planet’s critical fungal networks. We are building the most comprehensive atlas of Earth’s mycorrhizal biodiversity, scaling and accelerating the speed of science around mycorrhizal fungi.

SPUN conducts scientific research to understand the diversity and functions of mycorrhizal fungi — the microscopic, network-forming, underground fungi that form symbiotic relationships with plant roots. Our team of scientists and advisors includes the world's leading mycorrhizal fungi experts. We use our findings to educate individuals, companies, landowners, and governments on the importance of protecting and managing underground ecosystems. In collaboration with researchers and local communities, we are accelerating efforts to protect the underground ecosystems that have been largely absent from conservation and climate agendas, and exploring the impacts of mycorrhizal fungi in global restoration projects.

Why SPUN?

Work at the forefront of fungal science. We invite you to join SPUN's team of scientists and thought-leaders who are dedicated to finding innovative solutions to protect our planet. SPUN prides itself on developing new techniques and pushing the frontiers of fungal biology from the micro-level to the global scale. We have been cited in the world's leading press and scientific journals for our groundbreaking work.

Develop partnerships with other leading institutes around the world. Applications of cutting edge research are limited without deep and collaborative partnerships. SPUN works hard to build partnerships with leading institutes in conservation, climate, and community-led action to build collective impact within our fields. We are looking to build a team of innovative, creative, and impact-driven myconauts who want to help bring our core science to the next level.

Contribute to decolonizing science. We aim to lead by example in promoting diversity and decolonial science. We are actively working to address biases in mycorrhizal science and endeavor to center the wellbeing of most affected people and areas in our research. In this regard, we prioritize under-researched areas and collaborators in the Global South for our work, while providing capacity-building grants and partnership opportunities with local researchers. We are also actively working with Indigenous communities in Chile and Ecuador, and will continue to expand our partnerships with other Indigenous communities, to integrate non-western Science ways of knowing into our work.

Work with a global team. SPUN’s team members operate from various locations worldwide, embracing remote work for flexibility and work-life balance. Our team’s global presence aligns with our research expeditions, which have taken us to remote ecoregions in Tierra del Fuego, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Corsica, the Atacama, and the Galapagos Islands.

About the Role

SPUN is looking for a Fungal Conservation and Restoration Scientist to join the science team’s efforts in developing an advanced understanding of key features and threats to mycorrhizal biodiversity. This role will accelerate progress on SPUN’s scientific roadmap by developing new data insights from local and global projects aimed at enabling the protection of underground ecosystems and highlighting opportunities for action. This position will also contribute heavily to the collaboration and strategy development with SPUN partners for creating data products relevant to enhance monitoring and assessment of fungal biodiversity in various contexts. This position will report to the Lead Data Scientist but will work closely with the Data, Expeditions, and Communities workstreams as well as other SPUN team members.

About You

• You have experience designing and conducting ecological research in conservation, restoration, or other applied settings
• You have 2+ years experience working with on-the-ground conservation and restoration partners
• You have experience with bioinformatic output from fungal molecular sequencing studies (e.g., OTU tables)
• You posses a robust understanding of ecological analyses and biodiversity modeling; eagerness to learn new approaches
• You have excellent coding skills in R and/or python
• You have strong data visualization and science communication skills
• You have a demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality scientific writing
• You are fluent in English

Bonus Points

• Background in mycorrhizal fungal ecology preferred, but candidates with experience in microbial ecology, plant-soil interactions, soil biogeochemistry, or similar will be considered
• Experience with geospatial data and mapping approaches
• Collaborative coding platforms (e.g., Github)

Compensation

SPUN offers competitive compensation based on experience and location.

Benefits and Perks

• Health coverage
• Generous PTO
• In-person team building in international locations
• Computer purchase stipend
• Opportunities to travel for work

To apply

Please complete the application form at the bottom of this page, where you will be asked to upload a cover letter and CV. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

We encourage individuals from traditionally underrepresented groups to apply.

At SPUN, we embrace diversity as a fundamental pillar of our mission to protect underground ecosystems. Our commitment to decolonizing science is dependent on the diversity of knowledge and experience on our team and among our partners across the globe. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all individuals, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or background, feel valued, respected, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. We highly encourage individuals from traditionally underrepresented or repressed groups, including but not limited to women, LGBTQIA, individuals from the Global South, and individuals with Indigenous heritage, to apply to join our team at SPUN.

To learn more about our company and culture, please visit our website www.spun.earth.

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