Research Associate

Our distinctive approach to environmental protection emphasizes a focus on scientific and economic disciplines and on the use of market mechanisms where applicable to reach well-crafted, durable solutions.
The organization builds teams of scientists, lawyers, and economists to investigate the scientific causes of environmental problems as well as the market forces and government policies that encourage and subsidize patterns of environmental damage. In the full range of environmental arenas (air, water, climate, soil, toxins, and wildlife), Environmental Defense seeks practical solutions, founded on science, that policy makers and industry can be urged to incorporate into practice, law, or regulation.

Position Overview: 

Environmental Defense is seeking a Research Associate (RA) to work with the Director of Sustainable Technologies as part of the organization's National Climate Campaign, which educates the public and key policy makers on the necessity to cut greenhouse gas pollution.   Leveraging our success working with major corporations on environmental innovations, the Director is responsible for expanding Environmental Defense's expertise in sustainable technologies, with a focus on low carbon technologies.  

Tracking the availability and cost of climate solutions closely supports efforts to achieve a national program to stop the effects of climate change, in particular by helping to demonstrate that technologies available today can move the nation to a low carbon society without harming the economy.  

The Associate, based in Washington, DC, will be responsible for conducting key research on new technologies that provide climate solutions and for supporting the goals of the National Climate Campaign.   Research will focus on the extent to which these climate solutions are commercially available, at what cost, and whether unintended consequences need to be addressed.  The RA will also help research how climate solutions are creating new businesses, new jobs, or new product lines for existing companies. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and/or perform analyses to build on ED's growing database on availability of climate solutions, their cost, and their potential roll out.
• Conduct research to identify new businesses related to climate solutions, measuring the economic value-added of these businesses in terms of jobs, tax revenue and other key metrics.
• Conduct research on new products being manufactured by traditional companies that are being driven in part or entirely by the focus on climate solutions - for example, new products that provide key parts for solar or wind installations.
• Write 1-2 page case studies that clearly summarize the most persuasive stories.
• Support the Director in working across Environmental Defense to evaluate any unintended consequences for individual technologies.
• Assist in continuing to build our knowledge and identification of state-of-the-art new technologies for reducing and controlling greenhouse gas pollution.
• Over the longer-term, help the organization identify and evaluate potential market barriers to new sustainable technologies and develop potential strategies for addressing those barriers.
• Represent Environmental Defense during research tasks and by attending, participating, and reporting on meetings, workshops, and conferences.

In addition to these responsibilities, the Research Associate is expected to play a role in other activities such as grant writing and outreach, and to be an overall team player in a vibrant and entrepreneurial initiative.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelors degree in economics, engineering, or science.
• Excellent research and analytical skills, including internet-based research experience and experience with phone research.
• Relevant experience working in or with businesses adopting environmental solutions preferred.
• Knowledge of the climate change issue preferred and a basic understanding of environmental issues in the US.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent telephone, oral communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent writing, proofing and editing skills.
• IBM PC computer proficiency and proficiency in MS Office applications, including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to handle pressure and multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• An ability to work independently and to support a multi-disciplinary team, using independent judgment required to plan, prioritize, and organize diversified workload.

Term: This is a one-year term position.

Salary: Commensurate with experience.

To Apply:

Interested candidates should email, fax or mail cover letter, resume and salary requirements.

Cheryl Pickard, PHR
HR Generalist
Environmental Defense
1875 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC  20009

Environmental Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Women, minorities and the physically challenged are encouraged to apply.