Science expert

Rainbow officially approved by the ICVCM. Learn more.RegistryGet startedJoin the teamScience expertJoin Rainbow as a Science Expert and help shape the science behind high-integrity carbon mitigation certification.TeamScienceJob typeFull TimeCreated22/06/2026Start dateOctober 2026LocationParis, Lyon, BerlinApplication closing01/09/2026Who we are looking forThe Science team sits at the core of what Rainbow does. You'll research emerging carbon removal and reduction technologies, develop the methodologies that underpin our certifications, and work closely with the Certification and Tech teams to put them into practice. In a market where scientific credibility is everything, the quality of this work directly shapes how Rainbow and the projects we certify are perceived.You’ll work most closely with Erica (Science Lead) and Laura (Science Expert), as well as Clem (Chief Product and Technical Officer) and Samara (Certification Operations Lead). As a member of the Science Team, your role is to uphold scientific rigor and critical thinking in all aspects of our work, while also exploring new technologies to expand our portfolio of methodologies.Our start-up culture means high levels of autonomy, and a strong focus on experimentation and innovation.Key Skills for SuccessThis role suits someone who enjoys deep technical research, moves well between detail and decision, and wants their work to matter beyond the lab.PhD + market exposure: You hold a PhD in environmental science or a related field (soil science, forestry, ecology, earth systems, biogeochemistry, or similar), and have hands-on experience in at least one of: carbon markets, MRV, LCA, or carbon accounting. You understand how science connects to market mechanisms.Genuinely broad curiosity: You're excited to work across our full methodology portfolio rather than specialise in one track. You're energised by the diversity, not overwhelmed by it.Rigour and pragmatism in equal measure: You can spend days going deep on a carbon removal pathway and then make a well-reasoned call under real-world constraints. You question assumptions, know when to push back, and land on clear positions without needing to be guided at every step.Strong technical writing: You translate complex science into well-structured methodology documents, internal guidance, and clear explanations for non-specialist audiences.IC who can orchestrate: You own your outputs end-to-end, and you're equally comfortable directing external contributors (for example: peer reviewers, working group participants, auditors) integrating their input into your own work.If you don't tick every box but the work genuinely excites you, we'd still love to hear from you.ResponsibilitiesDevelop and maintain methodologies and standard rules: Lead research, drafting, and revision of carbon removal and reduction methodologies. Design the underlying frameworks and keep the Rainbow Standard rules consistent, current, and aligned with leading accreditation bodies (ICVCM, CORSIA, etc.).Support certification and sales: Help the Certification team apply methodologies to real projects - working through edge cases, answering complex technical questions, and building the internal guidance they need. Do the same for the Sales and Partnerships team, equipping them with clear, accurate explanations of how our certification system works and why it matters to buyers.Contribute to platform development: Work with the Tech team to implement methodologies through our digital certification and LCA platforms, and contribute to the models, templates, and tools that make our science infrastructure more scalable and easier to use.External representation: Prepare and facilitate working group meetings with project developers and scientific experts. Draft Rainbow's responses to public consultations (SBTi, CRCF, and others), and contribute to external publications and technical papers that build Rainbow's scientific credibility in the market.Recruitment process20min...