Research Associate

Job Summary

ClearPath is seeking a creative analyst and energy systems thinker to join us as our Research Associate. Candidates with more years of experience, strong skills and demonstrated impact are encouraged to apply and may be considered for a title of Senior Research Associate, depending on qualifications. ClearPath focuses its policy recommendations on the most economical pathways to deep decarbonization of the U.S. economy, focusing on the role energy innovation can play in reducing and removing emissions

This role will support ClearPath’s public thought leadership and internal strategy and decision-making across our entire policy portfolio. The position will be on the Clean Power, Natural Resources, and Research team, but will collaborate with other team members on cross-cutting issues and initiatives. The Research Associate will be responsible for supporting analysis on clean energy technologies and policies, publishing policy briefs and reports, fostering external relationships, and identifying research opportunities.

Job Description

Energy Policy Research and Advising

• Draft and provide peer review on high-level, quick, and in-depth quantitative analysis and research of policy and industry trends; 
• Produce concise research insights and written products pertaining to legislative, regulatory and innovation activities across the federal government;
• Support the development of flexible, generic pro forma project finance models to hone ClearPath's internal perspective on the status and future performance targets needed to commercialize a range of clean energy technologies; 
• Support modeling efforts to evaluate and communicate policy opportunities and technology developments;
• Develop subject matter expertise through networking and research; and
• Support rapid response initiatives when questions arise on Capitol Hill.

Education and Thought Leadership

• Publish regularly on findings through both ClearPath internal channels and industry and potentially academic publications;
• Follows guidelines to implement strategy, uses research and existing structures to guide work products, and seeks out opportunities to add value;
• Participate in policymaker education efforts, both through written materials and high-impact presentations; and
• Support the identification of research gaps that can be leveraged for growth.

Communication & Relationship Building 

• Assist in partnerships with external partners, such as universities and energy modeling firms, to deliver high-impact energy and climate insights.;
• Communicate complex ideas clearly, simply and convincingly, internally and externally to both technical and non-technical audiences; and
• Cultivate collaborative relationships with key stakeholders; they will represent ClearParth in a credible manner and with ease.

Capabilities

• Deliberative Decision Making – Gather, consider, and evaluate all relevant information to make logical conclusions before being moved to action. Able to put aside personal biases and take an objective approach to making decisions based on data or other pertinent facts.
• Analytical Thinking – Have the capability and the inclination to identify and synthesize information from diverse sources by looking for patterns in data, making connections between seemingly unrelated events, and understanding how different parts of a system are interdependent.
• Learning Agility – Able to discern patterns in data, recognize relationships between concepts, and rapidly apply learning from one context to solve analogous problems in different contexts.
• Scientific Acumen – Consistently and appropriately implement best practices in scientific inquiry and empirical reasoning to identify trends in data. 
• Information Seeking – Have an underlying curiosity and desire to know more about things, people, or issues. They go beyond routine questions and dig for exact information to resolve discrepancies.
• Quality Focus – Are able to manage the efficiency, accuracy, completeness, and integrity of the work that they produce.
• Time Management – Able to manage multiple responsibilities by being organized and keeping on top of important time sensitive tasks.

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant field (environmental science, energy analysis & policy, economics, computer science, public policy, engineering, etc).
• Deep interest in energy and environmental research and policy.
• Comfortable with and able to quickly learn technical concepts.
• Proficient in Excel and/or a programming language such as R, Stata, or Python.
• Proficient in AI-assisted research and analysis, and in applying rigorous output verification and auditing. 
• Excellent analytical and communication skills (verbal and written).
• A professional and personal commitment to ClearPath’s mission and values.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% of the time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant field (environmental science, economics, computer science, public policy, engineering, etc).
• 1-3 years of experience in a related field (energy systems modeling, energy finance, energy project development, or regulatory analysis).
• Experience conducting geospatial analysis with the ESRI suite, QGIS, and/or Python.
• Experience in energy systems engineering and/or modeling (such as REeDS, PLEXOS, NEMS, GenX, or RIO).

Compensation + Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• Retirement Benefit offering an employer matching contribution of employee contributions $1 for $1 on the first 5% of pay you contribute
• No vacation policy - take what you need whenever workflow and coverage allows, with manager approval
• Fully stocked office kitchen in newly renovated office on Capitol Hill

At ClearPath, we value a diverse and inclusive workforce. We believe our team is the key to making an impact and fulfilling our mission. ClearPath is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Job Summary

ClearPath is seeking a creative analyst and energy systems thinker to join us as our Research Associate. Candidates with more years of experience, strong skills and demonstrated impact are encouraged to apply and may be considered for a title of Senior Research Associate, depending on qualifications. ClearPath focuses its policy recommendations on the most economical pathways to deep decarbonization of the U.S. economy, focusing on the role energy innovation can play in reducing and removing emissions

This role will support ClearPath’s public thought leadership and internal strategy and decision-making across our entire policy portfolio. The position will be on the Clean Power, Natural Resources, and Research team, but will collaborate with other team members on cross-cutting issues and initiatives. The Research Associate will be responsible for supporting analysis on clean energy technologies and policies, publishing policy briefs and reports, fostering external relationships, and identifying research opportunities.

Job Description

Energy Policy Research and Advising

• Draft and provide peer review on high-level, quick, and in-depth quantitative analysis and research of policy and industry trends; 
• Produce concise research insights and written products pertaining to legislative, regulatory and innovation activities across the federal government;
• Support the development of flexible, generic pro forma project finance models to hone ClearPath's internal perspective on the status and future performance targets needed to commercialize a range of clean energy technologies; 
• Support modeling efforts to evaluate and communicate policy opportunities and technology developments;
• Develop subject matter expertise through networking and research; and
• Support rapid response initiatives when questions arise on Capitol Hill.

Education and Thought Leadership

• Publish regularly on findings through both ClearPath internal channels and industry and potentially academic publications;
• Follows guidelines to implement strategy, uses research and existing structures to guide work products, and seeks out opportunities to add value;
• Participate in policymaker education efforts, both through written materials and high-impact presentations; and
• Support the identification of research gaps that can be leveraged for growth.

Communication & Relationship Building 

• Assist in partnerships with external partners, such as universities and energy modeling firms, to deliver high-impact energy and climate insights.;
• Communicate complex ideas clearly, simply and convincingly, internally and externally to both technical and non-technical audiences; and
• Cultivate collaborative relationships with key stakeholders; they will represent ClearParth in a credible manner and with ease.

Capabilities

• Deliberative Decision Making – Gather, consider, and evaluate all relevant information to make logical conclusions before being moved to action. Able to put aside personal biases and take an objective approach to making decisions based on data or other pertinent facts.
• Analytical Thinking – Have the capability and the inclination to identify and synthesize information from diverse sources by looking for patterns in data, making connections between seemingly unrelated events, and understanding how different parts of a system are interdependent.
• Learning Agility – Able to discern patterns in data, recognize relationships between concepts, and rapidly apply learning from one context to solve analogous problems in different contexts.
• Scientific Acumen – Consistently and appropriately implement best practices in scientific inquiry and empirical reasoning to identify trends in data. 
• Information Seeking – Have an underlying curiosity and desire to know more about things, people, or issues. They go beyond routine questions and dig for exact information to resolve discrepancies.
• Quality Focus – Are able to manage the efficiency, accuracy, completeness, and integrity of the work that they produce.
• Time Management – Able to manage multiple responsibilities by being organized and keeping on top of important time sensitive tasks.

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant field (environmental science, energy analysis & policy, economics, computer science, public policy, engineering, etc).
• Deep interest in energy and environmental research and policy.
• Comfortable with and able to quickly learn technical concepts.
• Proficient in Excel and/or a programming language such as R, Stata, or Python.
• Proficient in AI-assisted research and analysis, and in applying rigorous output verification and auditing. 
• Excellent analytical and communication skills (verbal and written).
• A professional and personal commitment to ClearPath’s mission and values.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% of the time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant field (environmental science, economics, computer science, public policy, engineering, etc).
• 1-3 years of experience in a related field (energy systems modeling, energy finance, energy project development, or regulatory analysis).
• Experience conducting geospatial analysis with the ESRI suite, QGIS, and/or Python.
• Experience in energy systems engineering and/or modeling (such as REeDS, PLEXOS, NEMS, GenX, or RIO).

Compensation + Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• Retirement Benefit offering an employer matching contribution of employee contributions $1 for $1 on the first 5% of pay you contribute
• No vacation policy - take what you need whenever workflow and coverage allows, with manager approval
• Fully stocked office kitchen in newly renovated office on Capitol Hill

At ClearPath, we value a diverse and inclusive workforce. We believe our team is the key to making an impact and fulfilling our mission. ClearPath is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Driving policy for breakthrough innovations to reduce emissions in energy and industry.