Natural Resource Economist

ELAW is accepting applications for Natural Resource Economist

This is an exciting opportunity to work with public interest lawyers around the world to protect the rights of communities and the environment. ELAW collaborates with lawyers representing local communities and NGOs to build a sustainable, just future. ELAW's global partners are bringing innovative legal actions challenging the status quo and addressing complex environmental problems.

About the position 

The ELAW Science Team’s eight Ph.D. scientists span the disciplines of Public Health, Biochemistry, Geography, Marine and Terrestrial Ecology, Hydrogeology, Marine Biology, and Climate Science. These scientists analyze and distill technical environmental information for public interest lawyers around the world to use in their advocacy and litigation.

This position will focus on collaborating with our public interest lawyer colleagues who request support understanding how to make, and how to rebut, economic arguments in the context of environmental advocacy. The position will be integrated into and work closely with the ELAW Science Team.

Responsibilities and Scope of Position:

• Review and distill economic arguments in complex technical documents


• Collaborate with public interest lawyers around the world to use economic arguments to protect communities and the environment


• Provide expert testimony in court and/or support local experts to provide such testimony


• Collaborate with ELAW colleagues on communications, development, and other activities that support the organization, our partners, and allies


• Build and maintain relationships with economists around the world to leverage additional support for public interest lawyers in their work.

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in economics or similar field, especially natural resource economics;


• Proficiency in environmental cost-benefit analyses, monetization of environmental impacts, and compensation for loss of ecosystem services;


• Familiarity with global environmental issues, especially those related to climate change, public heath, and biodiversity;


• Strong written and oral communication skills to convey economic concepts to non-economist audiences;


• Strong analytical skills to review scientific reports and draw meaningful conclusions, and draft technical reports and expert opinions;


• A commitment to fulfilling ELAW’s mission;


• The ability to work successfully in cross-cultural settings;


• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and competing deadlines in a hybrid work environment;


• Ability to represent ELAW positively in a variety of professional settings;


• Ability to work within a small team, as well as independently;


• Professional fluency in English and proficiency in other language(s) (Spanish, Portuguese, and French can be advantageous);


• Willingness and ability to travel internationally for meetings, fieldwork, and conferences; and


• Flexible approach to working with colleagues across time zones.

Additional desired qualifications and competencies

• Experience with environmental litigation support – Ability to provide economic expertise in legal cases, including preparing expert reports, affidavits, and testimony;


• Knowledge of environmental and natural resource law frameworks – Understanding of how economic principles apply to legal and policy contexts, including environmental impact assessments, pollution regulations, and climate finance;


• Proficiency in quantitative and statistical analysis – Familiarity with modeling tools, economic valuation methods (e.g., contingent valuation, hedonic pricing, ecosystem service valuation), and cost-effectiveness analysis;


• Experience working with NGOs, policymakers, or international organizations – Experience collaborating with public interest groups, government agencies, or international bodies (e.g., UN, World Bank, IPCC) on environmental and economic issues;


• Ability to work across disciplines – Comfortable working alongside lawyers, scientists, and policymakers to integrate economic perspectives into environmental advocacy;


• Familiarity with climate finance and carbon markets – Understanding of carbon pricing, emissions trading schemes, and climate adaptation funding.Experience working internationally;


• Ability to work well with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and orientations;


• Ability and willingness to use technology platforms that enable virtual collaboration;


• Open to international travel; and


• Experience leading and facilitating skill shares and workshops.

The ELAW Secretariat is based in Eugene, Oregon, though members of our team work across several continents. This position is flexible, though needs to be easily able to collaborate with colleagues in the Pacific Time Zone

ELAW does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, gender, disability, socio-economic background, age, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, national origin, ancestry, status with regards to public assistance, or immigration status. ELAW is committed to justice and equity and our outreach, recruitment, and hiring practices reflect our commitment to actively developing the skills of a diverse community.

Application deadline: April 15, 2025.