Senior Food and Agriculture Analyst (Economist / Modeler), The Breakthrough Institute

Senior Food and Agriculture Analyst (Economist / Modeler)

The Breakthrough Institute is seeking an agricultural economist or food systems modeler with experience analyzing economic and environmental dimensions of food systems to join our Food and Agriculture research team at the Breakthrough Institute. The Breakthrough Institute seeks innovative solutions to environmental and human development challenges in pursuit of a secure, healthier, and more prosperous future. As such, the Food and Agriculture program currently aims to increase federal research on agricultural productivity and climate mitigation; identify opportunities for livestock and food innovation to contribute to climate mitigation; increase the environmental benefits of agricultural biotechnology; and balance environmental, economic, and food security concerns in agricultural trade policy.

The Senior Analyst will work with an existing team of research, government affairs, and communications staff to conduct analyses in support of program goals. The ideal candidate will bring analytical methods, knowledge, and experience in one or more of the following areas: agricultural trade, livestock sustainability, economic impact analysis, or agricultural land use.

This is a mid-level research position. This role is full-time. The position can be based in either Berkeley, CA, or Washington, D.C.

Breakthrough does not shy away from contentious domestic and international political issues and from advocating for equity, justice, democracy, and human rights. We welcome candidates who bring varied experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds, and who are eager to learn about many ways of viewing the world. Our goal is to create a community that is rich with cultural, social, and intellectual diversity.

Key Responsibilities:

• Propose and conduct rigorous, policy-relevant, and media-resonant analyses for reports, working papers, policy comments, and peer-reviewed publications.
• Communicate research and its policy implications to the media, policymakers, and partner organizations through multiple channels, including 1-on-1 meetings, presentations, op-eds, and Breakthrough website articles.
• Cultivate relationships with potential partners, such as individual researchers, research organizations, and advocacy groups.
• Build and maintain expertise in research methods and relevant areas of science and/or policy.
• Support Food & Agriculture outreach and education efforts, such as by supervising a summer research fellow.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s or Ph.D. degree in a relevant field.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of relevant analytical or research background.
• Analytical skills that can be applied to the study of agricultural trade, livestock sustainability, economic impacts of food system changes, and/or agricultural land use.
• Experience researching and critically evaluating information, and compiling it into reports with recommendations for action.
• Experience writing for non-technical audiences.
• Ability to simultaneously manage and accomplish long- and short-term projects.
• Interest in related federal or international policy issues, such as the Farm Bill, WTO, or World Bank efforts.
• Motivation to learn new skills, propose ideas, take ownership of projects, and develop a thought leadership profile in an area of expertise.

Preferred Qualifications:

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• Experience working on related federal or international policy.
• Experience with GTAP, SIMPLE, IMPACT, GCAM, GLOBIOM, IMAGE, or other integrated assessment and agricultural models.
• Social media presence.

Job Conditions:

Employees are required to report to the office on certain days of the week and may choose to work from home on other designated days. Additional hours may be required to meet deadlines. Some travel and evening time may be required depending on events, invitations, presentations, meetings, and other job-related work outside of the office.

Salary & Benefits:

$80-95,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Excellent health insurance, dental, vision, paid leave, cell phone reimbursement, and commuter benefits.

How to Apply: 

We encourage you to submit materials as soon as possible, as we will interview and hire on a near-term rolling basis.

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample ONLY to jobs[at]thebreakthrough.org. Please do not submit your application through alternate job sites.

Your email subject should say: <Your Name>: Senior Food and Agriculture Analyst.

Your email should state how you heard about this position.

Your cover letter should reflect on Breakthrough’s work and how you could contribute.