Join the teamScience expertJoin Rainbow as a Science Expert and support impactful projects worldwide in gaining access to carbon markets.TeamScienceJob typeFull TimeCreated22/06/2026Start dateOctober 2026LocationParis, Lyon, BerlinApplication closing01/09/2026Who we are looking forAs part of the Rainbow Science team, you won’t just work in carbon markets: you’ll help shape how they work from the inside out. You’ll dive into emerging carbon removal and reduction technologies, develop methodologies that turn innovation into certified climate action, and work hand-in-hand with our Certification and Tech teams to bring those methods to life. Your work will directly help build a high-integrity, science-backed carbon standard, to influence how new climate solutions are assessed, validated, and brought to market.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, no micro-management, and a strong focus on experimentation and innovation.Key Skills for SuccessThis role is ideal for someone excited by deep technical research, fast-moving problem-solving, and high-impact climate work. You'll be central to ensuring that every methodology we publish balances scientific rigor with practical implementation.

• PhD in Environmental Science: You hold a PhD in environmental science or a closely related field (soil science, forestry, ecology, earth system science, biogeochemistry, climate science, or similar).
• Domain Expertise: You have hands-on experience in at least one of: carbon markets, MRV (measurement, reporting & verification), the voluntary carbon market (VCM), life cycle assessment (LCA) or carbon accounting. You understand how science connects to market mechanisms and why that matters for rigorous methodology design.
• Breadth Across Methodologies: While you bring deep scientific expertise, you're genuinely excited to work across all types of carbon methodologies — from biochar to biobased construction materials and electronic refurbishing. You don't want to specialise in just one track; you're curious about the full portfolio and energised by the diversity of topics.
• Scientific and Analytical Mindset: You’re naturally curious and comfortable diving into unfamiliar technologies or scientific domains. You enjoy reading technical literature, discussing with experts and stakeholders, evaluating complex systems, and distilling insights into clear, actionable outputs.
• Research Agility with Decision-Making Rigor: You’re equally comfortable spending hours exploring a complex carbon removal pathway as you are in making a reasoned, evidence-based decision quickly. You balance high standards with feasibility, recognizing the real-world constraints of climate tech companies while upholding methodological integrity.
• Critical Thinking & Intellectual Humility: You question assumptions, evaluate conflicting inputs, and are comfortable forming your own judgment. You know when to ask questions, when to push back, and when to seek out external perspectives.
• Technical Writing & Communication: You can translate technical ideas into well-structured guidance and documentation. You’re also able to explain complex concepts clearly, whether to internal teams, external partners, or corporate buyers.
• Autonomous Problem-Solving: You can take a broad, open-ended research question — like "How should X be accounted for in our methodology?" — and turn it into a clear, evidence-based answer without needing to be guided at every step. You know how to scope the problem, dig into the literature, consult the right people, and land on a well-reasoned position.
• Individual Contributor with an Orchestrator Mindset: You operate as an IC, you own your research and outputs end-to-end. At the same time, you're comfortable directing and integrating work from external contributors: scientific experts, peer reviewers, working group participants, or auditors. You know how to brief people clearly, extract what you need, and weave it into your own deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Develop and Maintain Methodologies: Lead the research and drafting of new carbon removal and reduction methodologies by investigating specific topics, analyzing data, and preparing materials to help take informed decisions. Design and revise methodological frameworks, and implement them in collaboration with our Tech team through digital certification and LCA platforms.
• Uphold and Evolve our Standard Rules: Maintain the integrity of the Rainbow Standard by revising core rules, ensuring consistency across methodologies, and aligning with leading accreditation bodies and regulations (ICVCM, CORSIA, etc.). This may include researching specific rule-related questions, comparing requirements across standards and the market, or drafting proposed changes.
• Enable Certification at Scale: Support the Certification team to interpret and apply new methodologies to real projects, conducting deep dives into edge cases, answering complex questions, and creating internal guidance and educational materials.
• Engage with External Stakeholders: Represent Rainbow as a rigorous, science-based, and collaborative standard in external engagements. This includes the preparation and facilitation of working group meetings with project developers and scientific experts, as well as contributing to the drafting of Rainbow's official responses to public consultations from initiatives like SBTi, CRCF, and other relevant platforms.
• Bridge Science and Sales: Help the Sales and Partnerships team understand and communicate our methodologies, equipping them and our clients with clear, accurate explanations of how our certification system works and why it matters.
• Build Scalable Scientific Infrastructure: Contribute to the development of LCA models, templates, processes, and tools that make our methodologies easier to use and more impactful, making our science work more scalable and user-friendly.

Recruitment process

• 15min introduction call with Ludo
• 45min call on your experience with Clem
• 2h practical case async
• 1h interview to debrief the case with Erica (our Science lead) and Clem (Chief Product and Technical Officer)
• 45min conversation with Ludo and another engineer from the team for cultural fit

Environment & BenefitsCompetitive salaryBased on your geography and experience, with a transparent salary grid. Stock optionsAttractive stock options packageConvenient office locationIn the heart of Lyon or Paris, France, or Berlin, Germany.. Start-up cultureHigh levels of responsibility and impact, no micro-management, and a strong emphasis on experimentation and innovation.Work-life balanceWe prioritize promoting balance between your professional and personal life.Collaborative team spiritJoin a united team, driven by a common goal and inspired by our Rainbow values.. BenefitsWe cover 50% of your Alan Green Mutuelle and 50% of your Navigo Pass for public transport.Team RetreatsTwice a year, our entire team comes together for 2-3 days of retreats—often in the great outdoors, where we recharge, connect, and get inspired! Diversity, inclusion & equityWe are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Inclusion is an ongoing journey that requires dedication, and we aim to create an authentic, welcoming space for all. We celebrate individuality, embracing people of all nationalities, abilities, family structures, ages, socio-economic statuses, civil statuses, sexual orientations, gender identities, ethnic origins, religions, beliefs, and any other qualities that make their life experiences unique.We are at the beginning of building our company and our culture, and are extremely interested to talk about these topics if you are interested too!How to applyDoes this role excite you? Think you’re a great fit?Reach out to us with a copy of your CV at:jobs@rainbowstandard.io