Job Description Summary & Additional Information

Maryland Sea Grant (MDSG) is excited to announce its year-long State Science Policy Fellowship program partnering with state agencies and University System of Maryland (USM) leadership. This unique opportunity will place fellows in coastal sustainability, coastal management, and environmental policy positions within Maryland.

Modeled after the national Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship, this program will increase graduates’ professional skills and provide critical experience working for state agencies at the science-policy interface. The Maryland Sea Grant State Science Policy Fellows will work closely with state agency and legislative leadership to provide science expertise to develop policy relevant to Maryland’s progressive program to address state challenges in sustainability and action to mitigate and adapt to climate change. It is an exciting opportunity for students interested in applying their research experience and critical thinking skills to advancing science-based, environmental decision-making and policy development in Maryland.

See our website for full details including information on host offices:
https://www.mdsg.umd.edu/topics/graduate-fellowships/mdsg-state-science-policy-fellowships

Required Qualifications:

• Applicants must have advanced to candidacy for Ph.D. or completed a M.S., or J.D. by fall semester 2026. For graduates, degrees must have been awarded May 1, 2024, or later.

• Applicants must be/have been students from an accredited graduate school in a field related to conservation, management, protection, stewardship, public policy, of marine, coastal, and/or watershed environments, or areas that impact those environments. J.D. applicants must be from an ABA-accredited school.

• Positions are not remote; Fellows are expected to work out of their respective host office.

Required Application Materials:

• Curriculum vitae (CV) (not to exceed 2 pages)

• Personal education and career goal statement emphasizing the applicants abilities and the applicants expectations of the fellowship experience in terms of their career development (1000 words or less). The statement should be clear on what intrigued the applicant to apply for this position, discuss experiences of translating science to non-academic audiences, and convey how the student’s experiences within and beyond academia (e.g. critical thinking skills, writing experiences, talking and working with people from different backgrounds and experiences, intuition, cultural experiences) may have prepared them for this position. Strong writing and oral communication skills are important for these positions, and we encourage applicants to speak to these skills and/or highlight them in the CV.

• Clear copies of all undergraduate and graduate student transcripts (unofficial are acceptable).

• A list of three references and their contact information

Fellows will be employees of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science-MDSG classified as a Faculty Research Assistant or Assistant Research Scientist for a one-year term based on qualifications and experience. The full-time annualized salary will be $56,000 plus access to a comprehensive fringe benefits package including health insurance and retirement options. Some funding is available for professional development travel. Fellows are jointly supported by both MDSG and the host office.

The selected candidate will be required to review and accept the UMCES Principles of Conduct.

Best Consideration Date: 4/30/2026

Open Until Filled: yes

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EEO Statement

The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science is an equal opportunity employer. The Center’s policies, programs, and activities are in conformance with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, and disability. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; or related legal requirements should be directed to the Assistant Vice President of Human Resources, Center Administration, 2020 Horns Point Rd, Cambridge, MD 21613.