Geospatial Scientist

**What We Can Achieve Together**:
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global conservation organization working to create a world where people and nature can thrive. TNC India aims to advance innovative, science-based solutions that address the most pressing environmental challenges—particularly in the domains of sustainable development, freshwater, climate, and energy. As conservation and climate priorities intensify in India, the integration of spatial science into planning and decision-making becomes crucial.

**We’re Looking for You**:
**Key Responsibilities**

**Geospatial Leadership**:

- Lead and manage spatial analyses for TNC India projects focused on:

- Conservation planning and priority setting
- Renewable energy siting (especially low-impact siting of solar and wind)
- Land use and land cover (LULC) change detection
- Biodiversity hotspots and ecological corridors
- Lead the process of building and maintaining a spatial data and tools library for ongoing and future conservation projects.
- Develop and implement a shared vision for integrating geospatial and related technologies across all stages of TNC-India projects—planning, implementation, and monitoring & evaluation.

**Build and Expand GeoSpatial Program**
- Expand the newly initiated “Geo-Lab”, and work with the team to define problem statements and determine the appropriate use of geospatial technologies, including development of new tools, approaches, methods, processes, and techniques to improve conservation actions.
- Develop predictive models, integrate spatial data with field surveys, conduct landscape analyses, and identify priority sites using modeling tools and spatial action planning.
- Develop and maintain geospatial databases using satellite imagery, open-access datasets, and partner-contributed data.
- Design and implement models and decision-support tools (e.g., Marxan, InVEST, Zonation) to inform conservation and renewable energy siting strategies.
- Generate high-quality maps, dashboards, and reports to communicate spatial findings to internal teams, government stakeholders, and external partners.

**Partnerships and Team management**
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams of ecologists, policy experts, climate scientists, and project managers to integrate geospatial insights into program strategies.
- Build partnerships with relevant geospatial and data science agencies and universities in India.
- Advance appropriate commercial technology partnerships to support geospatial work.
- Supervise and mentor junior geospatial analysts and interns, as required.
- Engage with academic and technical partners, including data providers, research institutions, and government agencies, to ensure scientific robustness and policy relevance.
- Contribute to fundraising proposals and publications as needed.

As Senior Geospatial Scientist at TNC India, you will lead spatial analyses for conservation planning, renewable energy siting, land use change detection, and biodiversity mapping, while developing and maintaining geospatial databases and decision-support tools to guide data-driven strategies. The role includes expanding the Geo-Lab program with new technologies, predictive models, and spatial action planning, as well as collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and external partners to integrate geospatial insights into projects, mentor junior staff, and contribute to scientific publications and fundraising efforts.

**What You’ll Bring**:
**Desired Qualifications**:

- Master’s or PhD in Geography, Geoinformatics, Environmental Science, Landscape Ecology, Remote Sensing, or a related field.
- Advanced expertise in the use of Geographic Information Systems (e.g. Esri ArcGIS Pro and extensions, QGIS, MapInfo, etc.) and Remote Sensing Software (e.g. Leica Geosystems ERDAS Imagine, ENVI, Feature Analyst, Google Earth Engine etc.)
- Experience with spatial modelling, multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA), and suitability mapping in conservation and/or energy infrastructure siting.
- Experience in designing and maintaining enterprise-scale spatial and relational databases to meet organizational needs.
- Proven track record of translating spatial data into actionable policy or project insights.
- Working knowledge of relevant scripting and programming languages (e.g. Python, R, Microsoft VBA, C++, Java, JavaScript, etc.).
- Working knowledge in creating and maintaining internet-based spatial data viewers, interactive online analysis tools and spatial data distribution tools.
- Strong skills in data visualization, cartographic design, and spatial storytelling.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate across disciplines, work independently, and manage multiple priorities under tight timelines.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

**Desired Qualifications**:

- Master’s degree and 10-12 years of experience or equivalent combination.
- Good knowledge of the data sources and availability with NRSC, FSI, WII, other c