About Us

We develop frontier AI to amplify the voices of nature, creating new pathways for the transformation of our systems—and ourselves. Our team is made up of technology and non-profit leaders, AI researchers, engineers, and ethologists – all focused on a common goal: to decode and amplify the voice of nature and rebalance our relationship with the natural world.

Our Team

Katie Zacarian
Katie Zacarian
Cofounder · CEO
See bio
Aza Raskin
Aza Raskin
Cofounder · President
See bio
Brittany Solano
Brittany Solano
Director of Communications
See bio
Olivier Pietquin
Olivier Pietquin
Chief Scientist
See bio
Andrea Austin
Andrea Austin
Head of Operations
See bio
Jane Lawton
Jane Lawton
Director of Impact
See bio
Benjamin Hoffman
Benjamin Hoffman
Senior AI Research Scientist
See bio
David Robinson
David Robinson
Senior AI Research Scientist
See bio
Emmanuel Chemla
Emmanuel Chemla
Research Lead
See bio
Felix Effenberger
Felix Effenberger
Senior AI Research Advisor
See bio
Gagan Narula
Gagan Narula
Research Engineering Lead
See bio
Jalen Wilcox
Jalen Wilcox
Operations Associate
See bio
Jen-Yu Liu
Jen-Yu Liu
Senior AI Research Scientist
See bio
Julie Johnston
Julie Johnston
Senior Executive Admin
See bio
Kari Mertz
Kari Mertz
Operations Project Manager
See bio
Laura Hay
Laura Hay
Strategic Partnerships and Impact Manager
See bio
Maddie Cusimano
Maddie Cusimano
Senior AI Research Scientist
See bio
Maggie Haag
Maggie Haag
Development Manager
See bio
Marius Miron
Marius Miron
Senior AI Research Scientist
See bio
Matthieu Geist
Matthieu Geist
Principal Scientist
See bio
Masato Hagiwara
Masato Hagiwara
Research Lead
See bio
Milad Alizadeh
Milad Alizadeh
Principal Engineer
See bio
Sara Keen
Sara Keen
Senior Research Scientist, Behavioral Ecology and AI
See bio
Sylvie Manning
Sylvie Manning
Administrative Assistant
See bio

Our Board

Kay Firth Butterfield
CEO, Good Tech Advisory
See bio
Wendy Hanamura
Director of Partnerships, Internet Archive
See bio
Brewster Kahle
Founder & Digital Librarian, Internet Archive
See bio
Britt Selvitelle
Cofounder, Earth Species Project
See bio
Merlin Van Lawick
Ambassador, Jane Goodall Institute
Sean White
CEO, Inflection AI
See bio

Supporters

Earth Species Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit made possible by the generosity of visionary individuals and foundations who believe in the transformative potential of decoding animal communication. 

With support from Reid Hoffman, Chris Larsen, Steve Jurvetson, Waverley Street Foundation, National Geographic Society, and others, we are pioneering AI-driven breakthroughs that deepen our understanding of the natural world.

If you’re interested in joining our journey to decode, we’d love to hear from you. Please reach out to jane@earthspecies.org.

Our Community

Get involved in the dynamic online conversation around AI and animal communication! 

Since 2021, ESP has hosted a Discord server that brings together AI researchers, bioacousticians, ethologists and other enthusiasts from around the world.

Join our Discord Server

Working at Earth Species Project

The Earth Species Project is a fully remote global team. Our success depends on our diversity, and we strive to  create an inclusive environment that supports creativity and innovation.

Values

Committed To The Frontier

We embrace the frontier to drive our work forward. Our approach is swift and flexible, and we iterate at the speed of technology.

Collective Foresight

We work together – with a keen awareness of the levers and incentives of a system – to create an impact bigger than each one of us is capable of alone.

Provocative

We work to dismantle siloes, question the current regime, and share knowledge openly.

Moral Courage

We stand up for what is right, even in the face of adversity or dissent. We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards and take responsibility for both the positive potential of our work, and the risks.

Playful

We are fueled by a childlike wonder of the world around us. 

Kind to Each Other

Restoring humanity's connection with nature requires empathy and connection. We champion our colleagues and strive to always do right by them.

Benefits

  • Competitive pay
  • Medical insurance, dental insurance, and vision insurance - ESP covers 100% of the premium 
  • 401k plan with match (if based in the United States)
  • Home office stipend
  • Unlimited paid time off, with a recommended minimum of three weeks per year
  • Flexible working hours
  • Collaborations with top biologists and conservation institutions in the field of behavioral ecology 
  • Opportunity to observe and participate in data collection—previous research includes bioacoustic and behavioral ecology fieldwork in Alaska, Monterey Bay in California, and the Congo rainforest
  • Regular team retreats around the world
Current Job opportunities
No current openings.