Natural Resources Scientist - Two year fellowship

The Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) is hiring a Natural Resources Scientist with a Ph.D in conservation biology, environmental science, fisheries/wildlife biology, or a closely related field, to advance and develop scientific support for ELPCs strategic public interest environmental advocacy and litigation at the national, regional, state, and local levels to protect the Great Lakes and the Midwests public lands, wildlife, and biodiversity. This is a two-year fellowship position starting in early 2026, based in our Chicago (preferred) or Washington, D.C. office. The ELPC Natural Resources Scientist will work with our public interest litigation attorneys, policy advocates, economists, and communications specialists to provide science-based support for litigation and advocacy, educating policymakers, and advancing natural resource protections across the Midwest with a focus on the Great Lakes, public lands, vital natural resources, and wildlife. The Natural Resources Scientist will assist in developing the scientific and technical bases for ELPCs advocacy and litigation work to effectuate improved environmental policies and protections for the Great Lakes and Midwest, the addition and better management of public lands, and stronger and smarter regulations and permit requirements by federal and state agencies. The Natural Resources Scientist will also evaluate methodologies and rationales in rulemakings, permitting decisions, management actions, and the like to identify potential inadequacies and opportunities for improved environmental protections.This is an extraordinary time in which ELPCs effective legal and policy advocacy - backed by strong economic analysis, sound science and public engagement - are essential for protecting core environmental values.LOCATION: Chicago (preferred) or Washington, D.C., with a hybrid work ANIZATION:ELPC is the Midwests leading public interest environmental legal advocacy and eco-business innovation organization and is among the nations leaders. We develop and lead strategic environmental legal advocacy campaigns to improve environmental quality and protect our natural resources. We are public interest environmental entrepreneurs who engage in creative business dealmaking with diverse interests to put into practice our sustainability principles that environmental progress and economic development can be achieved together. ELPC drives transformational environmental policy changes at the national and regional level. We advance climate solutions with a focus on clean energy alternatives. We protect the Great Lakes and defend the Midwests wild and natural places and resources, and we fight for safe, clean water and air for all. We combine effective public interest litigation and strategic policy advocacy, sound science and economic analysis. ELPC produces strong results in the courtrooms, boardrooms, and legislative and administrative hearing rooms across the Midwest and in Washington, D.C.ELPCs multidisciplinary staff of 49 talented public interest attorneys, policy advocates, data scientists and communications specialists bring a strong and effective combination of skills to solve environmental problems and improve the quality of life in our communities. Our headquarters is in downtown Chicago, with additional offices and staff across the Midwest states and in Washington, DC. Please visit

Created: 2026-03-07