Scientific Advisor for Coral Reef Conservation (Remote)
About the Organization Reef Advocates is a mission-driven nonprofit using technology and citizen science to protect coral reefs. We’re building tools to empower recreational SCUBA divers to capture reef imagery that supports conservation research at a scale previously unimaginable. Our pilot program, the INSIGHT Diver Network, uses a custom-built mobile app and photogrammetry to generate 3D models and ecological data from reef sites. We currently have sample data from the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. With an anticipated app launch later this year, we are looking to prove our diver participation model, demonstrate the scientific merit of the data, and prepare for global scale-up. The Role We’re seeking a volunteer Scientific Advisor with a background in coral reef science, marine ecology, or a related field to help guide the scientific rigor of our work and strengthen the impact of our conservation data. This is a part-time, flexible role ideal for: • A current or former academic or research scientist • A postdoc looking for applied conservation impact • An NGO scientist interested in volunteer advisory work • A retired professional passionate about reef resilience What You’ll Do • Advise on best practices for underwater data collection and ecological monitoring • Help shape protocols to maximize scientific utility of imagery and spatial data • Offer feedback on data structure, annotation priorities, and sampling strategies • Optionally contribute to grant narratives or serve as a co-PI on proposals • Potential to join our Board of Directors, if mutually aligned Why This Matters • Your input will help ensure that our data is credible, useful, and publishable • Your guidance will shape the future of community-powered reef science Time Commitment • Flexible and remote (video meetings / async collaboration) • ~1–3 hours/month on average • Heavier input possible during protocol planning or grant cycles Location Remote — while we are based in the U.S., you may be located in the U.S. or internationally Interested? Please email us at [email protected] with: • A few sentences about your background • Why this mission speaks to you • A CV or link to your academic/professional bio (if available) We’d love to set up a call to learn more about one another and share our vision. Apply tot his job