Mycorrhizal Carbon Science Lead

About SPUN

SPUN is a startup NGO with a mission to map and protect the mycorrhizal fungal networks that regulate Earth's climate and ecosystems. These fungi draw down approximately 13 billion tons of CO2 annually through extensive underground networks. Since our founding in 2021, we've built a global data platform to make these invisible networks measurable. Through our Underground Explorers program and network of over 400 Science Associates across more than 80 countries — with the majority in the Global South — we generate high-resolution biodiversity maps and ML-powered tools that integrate mycorrhizal data into climate, conservation, restoration, and land management decisions.

Our work spans from laboratory research, data science, and robotics to locally-led field applications, informing everything from carbon accounting methodologies to protected area design and restoration protocols. With strong backing from leading foundations and growing momentum in international policy circles, we're at an inflection point where strategic partnerships will be critical to driving the adoption of mycorrhizal data into climate strategies, conservation agendas, and restoration efforts worldwide.

The Opportunity

SPUN is looking for an experienced and ambitious Mycorrhizal Scientist to lead our Climate and Carbon work. This core team position is central to achieving a primary mission for SPUN: to quantify fungal-mediated carbon flows for integration with climate and carbon accounting frameworks.

You will provide the strategic direction for all mycorrhizal carbon measurements and ecosystem function mapping. You will provide mission-aligned direction for the team as you develop foundational fungal carbon datasets and geospatial products, balancing high-level guidance with your own direct, hands-on contributions to the research. A key long-term objective is to scale mycorrhizal carbon measurements, aiming to build rigorous and trusted verification methods necessary to incorporate mycorrhizal data into global climate strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and mentor SPUN’s Climate and Carbon research group.
• Set the strategic scientific direction for the group, aligning with SPUN's overall mission and identifying future areas of impact
• Oversee the development of mycorrhizal carbon datasets, analytics, and spatial products.
• Design and execute a strategy for scaling fungal carbon measurements and databases, working with our Climate Breakthrough strategy team.
• Drive the scientific work needed to integrate SPUN’s data into Natural Capital models and other quantitative NCS frameworks.
• Collaborate with the leads of the Biodiversity Analytics and Conservation & Applications groups to execute cross-team projects, such as analyzing fungal diversity x carbon protection synergies.
• Establish and manage partnerships for pilot user-testing of SPUN data products.

About You

• You have a PhD in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Biogeochemistry, Microbiology, and/or Earth System Science.
• You have significant experience designing and leading research programs to answer cutting-edge questions in ecosystem ecology, particularly above/below ground carbon dynamics.
• You possess a robust understanding of soil biogeochemistry, particularly the interplay of fungal activities and carbon and nutrient cycles at a variety of scales.
• You have demonstrated success in building and interpreting advanced statistical models.
• You have excellent data management and coding skills in R and/or python.
• You have a proven ability to deliver high-quality scientific writing and possess strong science communication skills.
• You are fluent in English.

Bonus Points

• Experience with stable isotope methods, fungal trait and sequencing data, geospatial analysis and remote sensing, meta-analysis techniques, or biogeochemical/earth system modeling.
• Experience advising on or integrating scientific data into Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) or carbon accounting frameworks.
• Experience with collaborative coding platforms (e.g., Github)

What Success Looks Like

Mycorrhizal fungi are among the planet’s most important—but least understood—players in the global carbon cycle. They shape how carbon is stored and released in soils, influencing the resilience of ecosystems and the pace of climate change. Yet their role has historically been overlooked in climate models, carbon accounting, and policy frameworks.

As SPUN’s Mycorrhizal Carbon Science Lead, you will change that. By building the world’s first comprehensive datasets and strategies for measuring fungal-mediated carbon flows, you will help bring underground ecosystems into the center of climate action. Your leadership will enable the development of rigorous monitoring and reporting protocols, creating pathways for mycorrhizal fungi to be integrated into Natural Climate Solutions and carbon markets.

This role is about ensuring that one of Earth’s most powerful climate allies is finally recognized and protected. The insights and frameworks you develop will influence how the world measures progress toward climate goals, shaping conservation, restoration, and carbon policy for decades to come.

Reporting & Team

This role reports directly to our Data Science Lead and sits within the Science Team. It works closely across functions, collaborating with researchers, product teams, and external partners, including the Climate Breakthrough team, to advance carbon and climate work. As part of SPUN’s Programmatic Managers group, this position also partners closely with our science and operations leaders to ensure strong coordination and impact.

Why Join SPUN

At SPUN, we know that taking care of our team means empowering them to do their best work. Our benefits are designed to support health, well-being, growth, and balance across our globally distributed team.

Here’s what you can expect when you join us:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: 100% of medical, dental, and vision premiums covered for employees, plus dependent coverage support.
• Wellness & Lifestyle Support: Annual health stipend, flexible spending account (for US-based employees), monthly work-from-home allowance, and wellness days built into your year.
• Generous Time Off: Minimum of 25 vacation days per year (plus local holidays), unlimited paid time off as needed, sick leave, and wellness days to recharge.
• Volunteer Days: Paid time each year to contribute your skills and energy to causes you care about.
• Professional Growth: Annual professional development allowance to invest in your learning, skills, and career progression.
• Workspace & Tools: Hardware allowance to get you set up and annual workspace allowance to create a productive environment wherever you are.
• Celebrating You: Annual birthday meal stipend so you can celebrate on us.
• Global Consistency, Local Care: Benefits tailored to local laws while ensuring everyone has access to the same high-quality standard of support across our organization.

At SPUN, we believe that work should be both impactful and sustainable — our benefits are designed to help you thrive, not just in your role, but in every part of life.

Location & Compensation

This is a full-time remote role with benefits, offered on a one-year contract (based on 3-month trial period) with the possibility of extension based on funding. We welcome applicants from anywhere in the world.

The salary range for this role is USD $100,000 – $135,000, depending on experience and location. SPUN applies a global compensation multiplier to ensure equity across regions for candidates based outside the United States, adjusting pay according to local market and cost-of-living benchmarks.

Compensation aligns with SPUN’s hybrid positioning as an environmental NGO and data science startup, and is commensurate with experience. Performance-based bonuses may be available for exceptional partnership outcomes.

To Apply:

Please complete the application form in BambooHR and submit the following materials:

• A resume
• A cover letter outlining your relevant experience and scientific approach. In your cover letter, please describe a research initiative or project you’ve led—from early design through successful execution—highlighting the key decisions, challenges, and insights that shaped the outcome.
• Contact information (including phone numbers) for three professional references

Please note: we will notify you before contacting any references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

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