Environmental Scientist or Senior Scientist

Environmental Scientist or Senior Scientist

• Richmond, California
• Category: Clean Water
• Type: Full-time
• Min. Experience: Some Experience
• Position Type: Permanent
• Salary: $101,445-$134,570 depending on experience

Position Description

• Posted: October 16, 2025
• First review of applications: October 31, 2025
• Application closing date: November 7, 2025

The San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) seeks an environmental scientist or engineer to join an interdisciplinary team investigating the transport and fate of PFAS, microplastics, and other contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in San Francisco Bay and surrounding watersheds. This work will be carried out in support of the Regional Monitoring Program for Water Quality in San Francisco Bay (RMP) as well as other SFEI Clean Water Program efforts to address pivotal pollution issues with regional and national implications.

This is a full-time, Bay Area-based, hybrid office position for a researcher with a PhD in environmental chemistry, environmental science, environmental engineering, or related disciplines. Responsibilities for this position include leading and performing design and implementation of contaminant monitoring and/or modeling studies within a collaborative team environment, analysis of data and preparation of written reports, and communication of findings to local stakeholders and the broader scientific community.

If you're excited about this role, but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may still be the right candidate for this, or one of our other roles.

Qualifications
Required Skills and Experience

• PhD in environmental chemistry, environmental science, environmental engineering, or another related scientific field.
• Experience with leading scientific studies relating to environmental chemistry or environmental science, including field work to collect environmental monitoring data, synthesizing peer-review literature, data analysis and modeling of environmental monitoring data, and report writing for scientific and public audiences.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and writing skills and ability to effectively communicate technical details to scientific and public audiences.
• Experience with technical project management, organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple projects at once and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work well in teams as well as independently with general direction from senior scientific staff.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience working on the fate and transport of PFAS, microplastics, and other CECs would be advantageous, including both environmental monitoring and modeling.
• Ability to contribute to aspects of field work that may involve working unusual hours (e.g., late nights, early mornings, and weekends) and carrying 40 pound field equipment for short durations.
• Valid Driver's License.

Salary & Benefits highlights

• This will be an Environmental Scientist or Senior Scientist position. The anticipated salary range for full time employment is $101,445-$134,570 for this position (Please note that this is a Bay Area position. Fully remote work isn't possible). Salary ranges take into account many factors for making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, education, internal salary structure, and organizational needs. We expect to offer starting salaries at or near the lower end of the salary range.
• Matching contributions to retirement plan (immediate vesting) (403B)
• Medical Insurance: health, vision, dental with employer and employee contributions
• 12 paid holidays
• Vacation days starting at 3 weeks accrual/year
• Hybrid workplace

About the Clean Water Program

The Clean Water Program is one of the nation's premier water quality science programs. It anticipates and meets the water quality data needs of policy-makers, resource managers, and the public. It helps the public, regulators, and those who discharge into our waters create more effective policies to ensure the health of our waters. The Environmental Informatics Program utilizes the latest technology and design concepts to deliver scientific information to a wide range of stakeholders in dynamic, expressive, and cogent ways. The Data Services (DS) team takes to heart its massive responsibilities in ensuring that the best available science SFEI produces is truly the best it can be. Their role in data processing and custody, as well as data analysis and visualization, contributes to SFEI's reputation as one of the nation's best sources for scientific data

About SFEI

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which has a 25-year track record of providing robust and innovative science to decision-makers, policy-makers, practitioners, and community members to measurably improve the health and resiliency of Bay-Delta ecosystems. As a boundary organization, SFEI operates at the interface between science and policy, recognized nationally for our ability to build consensus to support effective environmental decision-making and policy. Our mission is to deliver visionary science that empowers people to revitalize nature in our communities.

SFEI employs an interdisciplinary staff of more than 90. Our operations and IT staff are the backbone of our organization and keep everything running smoothly. SFEI has three major programs: Clean Water, Environmental Informatics, and Resilient Landscapes. Our program staff represent numerous scientific and technological fields, including chemistry, modeling, ecology, wildlife biology, landscape planning, historical ecology, geomorphology, geospatial analysis, and web development.

For more information on our mission, values, programs, and staff, visit the San Francisco Estuary Institute website.

Employment Considerations

San Francisco Estuary Institute is committed to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, family or parental status, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Accommodations Statement

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website or application portal as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, contact us at or

Other Key Information

Please note that SFEI cannot sponsor an employment visa (e.g., H-1B) to fill this position.

In the spirit of a fair hiring process, no phone calls or emails please.

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