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 seeking an experienced Operations & HR Manager who can support the team as it expands in size and scope. The Operations & HR Manager will be a keystone addition to the team, helping to develop more robust organizational processes and human resources practices. Ideally, the candidate will have a diverse experience and working knowledge in organizational administration, contracts negotiation, and digital teams security. This role reports to the Managing Director of SPUN.

About You

• Incredibly well-organized
• Extremely self-sufficient
• Tech-savvy and resourceful
• An open and direct communicator
• Tactful, polite, and clear in external communications
• Experienced in working with diverse and international teams
• A self-starter who is willing to help others across the organization, even if outside of one’s specific job description

About You

• You have 2+ years of experience working in an HR role
• You have experience with writing and reviewing legal contracts
• You are well-versed with creating and managing organizational processes and workflows
• You are fluent in English

Bonus Points

• Fluent or proficient in at least one other language a plus
• Experience working with diverse teams in multiple locations
• Experience with digital/cybersecurity
• You have worked at a non-profit or start-up
• If based in North or South America, you live in EST

Your Day to Day

Human Resources

• Take ownership of organizational practices to protect staff wellbeing
• Implement and run the hiring process for future recruitment
• Support Director of Finance in managing salaries, payments, and benefits for employees
• Research compensation for different positions to come up with recommendations for SPUN’s salary levels
• Review and resolve any inter-personnel conflicts that come up
• Review employee/other SPUN policies
• Manage employee holidays
• Manage DEI policies and guide team members to follow them

SPUN Organizational Administration

• Support directors in managing board administration and communications
• Guide the team’s sustainability practices when carbon accounting for flights, ordering practices, event planning, etc.
• Review SPUN organizational practices and revise where necessary
• Support SPUN counsel in writing up contracts with grants, partnerships, and clients
• Take ownership of SPUN accounts–such as GMail, Notion, Discord, WhatsApp
• Work with Director of Finance to manage invoicing and contracts with external contractors and partners
• Develop, implement, and manage a logical and user-friendly information architecture/hierarchy for SPUN’s Notion and Google Drive systems
• Assist team members in arranging and managing travel

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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