Senior Climate Researcher & Grantmaker

Job description

**This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior Climate Researcher & Grantmaker based in the United States.** The Senior Climate Researcher & Grantmaker will shape evidence-based funding strategies to maximize the global impact of climate philanthropy. This senior role combines rigorous research, quantitative modeling, and strategic grantmaking to help direct significant funding toward the most effective climate interventions. You will assess diverse technologies, policies, and decarbonization strategies, identifying opportunities where philanthropic capital can drive meaningful change. Working closely with research and grantmaking colleagues, you will evaluate complex funding proposals, develop innovative analytical frameworks, and translate findings into actionable recommendations. You will also build relationships with climate experts, funders, and policymakers while representing the team's research at major industry events. This is an opportunity to influence global climate priorities within a collaborative, intellectually curious environment that values independent thinking, methodological innovation, and measurable real-world impact. ### Accountabilities: The Senior Climate Researcher & Grantmaker will lead high-impact climate research and funding evaluations, helping determine where philanthropic resources can achieve the greatest environmental benefit. Key responsibilities include: - Analyze global climate interventions and strategies to assess their effectiveness and alignment with high-impact funding priorities. - Lead complex research projects independently, from defining research questions and selecting methodologies to delivering evidence-based conclusions. - Evaluate competing theories of change, including approaches related to climate innovation, emissions reduction, and avoiding carbon lock-in, using literature reviews, expert consultations, and quantitative modeling. - Assess potential grantmaking opportunities and estimate their expected impact, cost-effectiveness, and contribution to global climate outcomes. - Use quantitative decision-support tools to model impacts, uncertainties, and assumptions, including when data is incomplete or difficult to obtain. - Conduct focused investigations into climate policy developments, emissions trends, climate damages, and other emerging issues, typically completing short-term research assignments within one week. - Identify gaps in climate philanthropy by analyzing global decarbonization efforts and highlighting areas where funding is insufficient relative to potential impact. - Develop relationships with prospective grantees, philanthropic funders, policymakers, and experts across the climate and energy ecosystem. - Represent the climate research team's perspectives at international conferences, climate summits, donor events, and other high-level gatherings. - Communicate complex technical findings through clear written reports, presentations, and recommendations tailored to donors and other stakeholders. - Contribute to the development, testing, and refinement of innovative grantmaking methodologies and shared analytical frameworks. - Collaborate closely with research and grantmaking colleagues to resolve analytical bottlenecks, compare opportunities across diverse sectors, and strengthen strategic decision-making. - Support the development of funding strategies across areas such as clean energy innovation, emerging-market energy systems, alternative proteins, and climate policy. **Requirements:** The ideal candidate combines established expertise in climate policy or economics with strong quantitative reasoning, independent research capabilities, and a broad understanding of how climate solutions interact across sectors and regions. Required and preferred qualifications include: - A proven professional track record in climate policy, climate economics, or a closely related field, demonstrating a mature understanding of the global climate landscape. - A broad, contextual understanding of climate technologies, policies, energy systems, and decarbonization strategies, rather than expertise limited to a single narrow area. - Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including the ability to model impacts, assess cost-effectiveness, and work rigorously with uncertain or incomplete data. - Demonstrated experience independently leading complex, senior-level research projects from conception through delivery. - Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate technical research into clear, practical insights for donors, policymakers, and other stakeholders. - A collaborative mindset and willingness to adopt, test, and co-develop shared research frameworks and grantmaking methodologies. - Intellectual curiosity and openness to evaluating a wide range of climate solutions without being committed to a single ideology, technology, or policy approach. - Confidence representing research findings and strategic recommendations at major conferences, climate summits, and donor gatherings. - Strong judgment and the ability to compare diverse funding opportunities using consistent analytical frameworks and evidence-based reasoning. - An advanced degree in a quantitatively focused social science discipline, such as economics, political science, sociology, public policy, or climate policy and economics, is preferred. - Specialized knowledge of innovation policy in OECD economies or substantial expertise in China's climate and energy sectors is an advantage. - Direct professional experience with complex energy systems or structured grantmaking processes is desirable. - Willingness to participate in in-person research team offsites and an annual global team retreat. - Ability to work remotely or in a hybrid arrangement, with the position open to candidates based in the United States, preferably on the East Coast, as well as selected international locations. - Readiness to complete a rigorous selection process, including a technical assessment of quantitative and analytical skills. **Benefits:** - **Annual salary:** Up to $175,000 for U.S.-based candidates, depending on location and experience. Equivalent maximum salaries are £130,000 in the UK and €155,000 in Germany. - **Work arrangement:** Fully remote or hybrid options, with offices available in London, New York, and San Francisco. - **Mission-driven work:** Direct opportunity to influence how significant philanthropic funding is allocated to effective climate solutions. - **Professional ownership:** A senior role with meaningful responsibility for research strategy, grantmaking decisions, and the development of analytical methodologies. - **Collaborative environment:** Work with a focused, intellectually curious team spanning charitable and commercial backgrounds. - **Professional development:** Opportunities to strengthen managerial capabilities or deepen expertise in advanced research methods, depending on career goals. - **Global exposure:** Opportunities to build relationships with international climate experts, funders, and policymakers and attend major climate events. - **Team gatherings:** Participation in research team offsites and an annual global team retreat. - **Inclusive workplace:** A commitment to diversity, equal opportunity, and creating an environment where people with different backgrounds and perspectives can contribute and thrive.