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Climate Change Researcher information

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$34K

$128.1K

$186.3K

How much do climate change researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for climate change researcher in Washington is $128,099.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,900.00 and $174,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Climate Change Researcher vs Environmental Scientist?

AspectClimate Change ResearcherEnvironmental Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Environmental Science, Climate Science, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Environmental Science, Ecology, or related fields
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, universities, field sites focused on climate dataResearch labs, government agencies, fieldwork on broader environmental issues
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, climate-focused NGOs, universitiesGovernment agencies, environmental consulting firms, NGOs
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

While both roles involve environmental analysis, a Climate Change Researcher specializes in studying climate patterns and impacts, often focusing on global warming and climate models. An Environmental Scientist has a broader scope, addressing various environmental issues like pollution, conservation, and ecosystem health. Both careers require similar educational backgrounds and often work in research or policy environments, but their specific focus areas differ.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a climate change researcher, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Climate Change Researcher, you need a solid background in environmental science, climatology, or a related field, often supported by an advanced degree such as a master's or PhD. Expertise with data analysis software (like R or Python), climate modeling tools, and geographic information systems (GIS) is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, clear communication, and collaborative abilities are essential soft skills to convey findings and work effectively in multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualities are crucial for producing rigorous research that informs policy and solutions to address climate change challenges.

What does a climate change researcher do?

A Climate Change Researcher studies the causes, effects, and solutions related to climate change. Their work often involves collecting and analyzing data, modeling climate scenarios, and publishing findings to inform policy and public understanding. They may work in academic, governmental, or private research institutions, focusing on topics like greenhouse gas emissions, climate impact on ecosystems, and strategies for mitigation and adaptation. These professionals play a crucial role in advancing scientific knowledge and supporting efforts to address global climate challenges.

What are some common challenges climate change researchers face when conducting fieldwork or data collection?

Climate Change Researchers often encounter logistical and environmental challenges during fieldwork, such as accessing remote or hazardous locations, dealing with unpredictable weather, and ensuring the accuracy and consistency of data collection across diverse sites. Managing large datasets and integrating findings from various sources can also be demanding, requiring strong analytical and technical skills. Collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including scientists, policy experts, and local communities, is essential to address these challenges and ensure meaningful research outcomes.
What are popular job titles related to Climate Change Researcher jobs in Washington? For Climate Change Researcher jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Climate Change Researcher jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Climate Change Researcher jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Climate Change Researcher jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Climate Change Researcher job openings:
Climate Change Researcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Climate Change Researcher job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $128,099 per year, or $61.6 per hour.

Extended Term Consultant - Climate Change

World Bank

Washington, DC • On-site

Other

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges.  For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.

Climate change will greatly affect the poorest people in the world, who are often hardest hit by weather catastrophes, desertification, and rising sea levels and least able to respond. In some parts of the world, climate change has already contributed to worsening food security, reduced the predictable availability of fresh water, and exacerbated the spread of disease and other threats to human health.

Helping the most vulnerable countries and communities adapt to the increasing challenges of climate change is an imperative for the international community, requiring significant resources to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Adaptation Fund, a trust fund housed within the World Bank on an interim basis, to finance concrete adaptation projects and programmes in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. Launched under the Kyoto Protocol of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Adaptation Fund has formally served the Paris Agreement since 2019. At the request of the COP, the GEF is providing secretariat services to the Adaptation Fund Board (the Board) on an interim basis, through a dedicated team.
 
Since becoming fully operational in 2010, the Board has approved over 221 projects and programs worth more than USD 1.6 billion in over 100 countries. The Fund is currently implementing its second Medium-Term Strategy for 2023-2027, which is structured around three pillars: adaptation action, innovation, and learning and knowledge management.  
 
The Adaptation Fund supports country-driven projects and programmes, innovation, and learning for effective adaptation. Across its activities, the Fund seeks to strengthen national and local adaptive capacities, reach and engage the most vulnerable groups, and integrate gender considerations to promote equitable access to and benefits from its resources. The Fund also aims to enhance synergies with other sources of climate finance and support approaches that can be replicated, scaled up, or adapted in other contexts. 
 
The Adaptation Fund is governed by its Board, which normally meets twice a year. The Board is supported by two committees, including the Project and Programme Review Committee, which reviews project and programme proposals as well as policy proposals related to programming. The secretariat currently manages two project/ programme review cycles per year. These review cycles are coordinated by the Programming and Innovation unit, under the leadership of the Senior Climate Change Specialist who heads the Programming and Innovation Unit.
 
The Programming and Innovation Unit is responsible for managing the project and programme review cycle, including communication with and support to the Fund's implementing entities, the Board, the Adaptation Fund NGO Network, and other relevant stakeholders. It coordinates the technical review process within established timeframes, including quality assurance of reviews and assessment of compliance with the Fund's review criteria, policies, and operational requirements, notably the Environmental and Social Policy and the Gender Policy. The unit also supports the use of relevant World Bank systems and updates to the Fund's website to ensure transparency; contributes to the preparation of project agreements; and supports administrative and financial due diligence processes.
 
The unit also undertakes quality improvement and capacity-building activities to strengthen the review process. These include training for technical reviewers, trainings and webinars for national implementing entities, and the development of e-learning packages. Some of these activities are carried out under the Readiness workstream, in collaboration with the Countries and Partnerships Unit, while others are undertaken in collaboration with the  Results Impact and Knowledge Unit.
 
Scope of the Work
The Secretariat is recruiting an Extended Term Consultant (ETC) to support the Programming and Innovation Unit across a broad range of administrative functions in support of Unit's operations, as well as broader Secretariat's. This includes supporting the project and programme review cycle (reply to questions from implementing entities, log proposal-related information, etc.), preparing materials for PPRC meetings and Board documentation, tracking proposal submissions, and maintaining accurate records on the FIF platform and AF website. The role also involves drafting correspondence, coordinating with internal teams such as Readiness and KM to support capacity building efforts, and assisting in the preparation and coordination of meetings and events under the UNFCCC, other climate funds, and regional or bilateral forums as well as supporting AF organized seminars and workshops where needed. More broadly, the candidate will provide operational support to the Secretariat, including the development of guidelines, tools, and other documents as required. S/he will report to the Team Lead for Programming and Innovation.

Duties and Accountabilities
  Under the supervision of the Programming and Innovation Unit Lead, and in collaboration with and guidance from other staff, notably Programming Coordinators, support the project and programme review cycle process; the preparation of PPRC meetings and materials; Board documents (including operational guidelines, tools, reports, and other materials); post-Board documentation; talking points; presentations; and other materials to support the effective delivery of the Fund, in collaboration with other secretariat teams when needed.
  Support the tracking and timely completion of reviews done by the AF Secretariat, including tracking proposal submissions, logging documents and proposal-related information on the FIF platform and AF website, and ensuring records are updated accurately and on time.
  Draft and send routine correspondence, including letters, memos, emails, and responses to requests for technical information, in line with Adaptation Fund standards. 
  Liaise with other teams, such as the Readiness team, KM team, and others as needed, to support capacity-building efforts, internal and external training, webinars, knowledge products, and related activities.
  Assist in the preparation and coordination of meetings convened under the UNFCCC and its subsidiary bodies, meetings of other climate funds, regional and sub-regional workshops, technical conferences and workshops, and bilateral meetings with governments, implementing agencies, and other stakeholders.
  Support the Secretariat in preparing operational guidelines, tools, documents, and other assignments as required.
  Support with preparation of documents and presentations, including proofreading, editing, formatting, layout and design, and in collaboration with other colleagues/teams as needed.
  Provide broader operational and administrative support to the Secretariat as required.

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