Research Fellow

Project Drawdown is searching for several part-time Research Fellows to help us assess potential climate solutions across a range of sectors and disciplines.  

Fellows will conduct high-level technical and scientific reviews of a wide variety of potential climate solutions – reviewing the international peer-reviewed literature and conducting meta-analyses of the effectiveness, cost, and adoption of different solutions. 

About Project Drawdown

Project Drawdown is the world’s leading resource for climate solutions. 

We are a trusted, science-based, and independent guide for effective climate action across the globe.

Our work is built on three pillars:

• SCIENCE. First, we conduct cutting-edge research to identify the best possible climate solutions – and to design the most effective strategies to bring them to scale. Then, we share our findings with the world through highly effective science communication, marketing campaigns, and media partnerships.
• STAKEHOLDERS. Next, we use our science to inform and inspire stakeholders – including philanthropists, investors, business leaders, policymakers, and community change-makers to take bold leadership positions and bring effective climate action to the world.
• STORIES. Finally, we use the power of storytelling to help shift the narrative on climate change – from problem to solution and from “doom and gloom” toward “opportunity and possibility.” Along the way, we elevate new voices and showcase new climate heroes changing the world.

We strongly believe that good science is needed to guide effective climate action. We also believe that science must be shared in actionable and compelling ways – through stakeholder engagement and powerful storytelling. Our job is to make this happen.

Position Description

Project Drawdown is looking for 3-4 Research Fellows to join our team, starting as soon as possible in late January or early February 2025. Fellows are anticipated to commit on average 20–25 hours/week over 6 to 9 months. 

Drawdown Research Fellows will analyze potential climate solutions, drawing upon years of advanced study, experience, and a wide range of backgrounds. Fellows will use quantitative findings from the international scientific literature to assess each potential solution’s effectiveness, cost, adoption, and other characteristics. Fellows will also produce written reports, tables and charts – all accessible to a general audience – summarizing key findings. Fellows will work with scientists at Project Drawdown to conduct these assessments as a group.

Fellowship Subject Areas

We are looking for individuals with knowledge and expertise in at least one of the following areas:

• Electricity: Technologies and practices for reducing emissions from the electrical sector – including hardware, software, and market and governance changes to the electrical sector – that support integrating variable renewable energy sources or otherwise favoring clean, low-carbon energy sources over fossil-fired generators; as well as the study of emerging technologies for providing clean, low-carbon electricity
• Industry: Technologies and practices for reducing emissions from manufacturing processes; as well as practices for supporting circular economies, reducing demand for plastics and for high-GWP materials (e.g., refrigerants, cement, steel), and reducing waste
• Transportation: Technologies and practices for reducing emissions from road vehicles, shipping, and air travel; urban or regional planning to support reducing demand for transportation and/or alternative forms of transit
• Buildings: Technologies and practices for reducing emissions from buildings, including direct emissions, operational energy-related (e.g., electric sector) emissions, grid-interactive buildings and advanced building controls and their impacts on emissions, and embodied (e.g., industry sector) emissions associated with the built environment
• Global Food Production, Agriculture, and Land Use: Technologies and practices for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases from the global food system, especially solutions linked to changes in diet, curbing food waste, changing biofuel policies, protecting natural ecosystems, and rewilding abandoned agricultural lands
• Oceans: Technologies and practices that protect and restore coastal wetlands, seafloors, and seaweed; deploy ocean-based energy technologies (e.g., offshore wind, tidal energy); and improve fisheries and mariculture.

Candidates with expertise in the electricity, transportation, and ocean sectors will be given priority.

Knowledge in one of more of the following areas may also be beneficial and should be noted in your application:

• Engineered carbon sinks: Technologies that sequester carbon from the atmosphere
• Climate policy analysis: Assessing effectiveness of existing policies; best practices for recommending policies to reduce GHG concentrations in the atmosphere
• Technology development: Scaling of new technologies, including technological learning curves, cost analysis, and adoption rates
• Benefits to humans and other life forms: Human health and well-being impacts of climate solutions; natural benefits associated with climate solutions such as enhanced biodiversity or improved water quality and availability.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree with thesis, or equivalent research experience
• 2+ years of combined research experience in subject area(s) above
• Strong research, analysis, and writing skills; demonstrated ability and commitment to conduct research, produce scholarly work, and critically evaluate the work of others
• Experience preparing clear, compelling, and accurate reports and presentations
• Ability to work effectively as a team member and to deliver high-quality work in collaborative projects
• Capable of managing own time; demonstrated ability to track own deadlines and meet them

In addition, candidates are required to be:

• comfortable with teleconferencing, remote work, and virtual collaboration 
• available to participate in video conferences weekdays 9am–12pm Pacific Time
• able to use Google Sheets and Google Docs for delivering individual work products and collaborating.

Studies have shown that women, trans, non-binary folks, and BIPOC are less likely than others to apply for jobs if they don’t believe they meet every single one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, and we are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. That candidate may be one who comes from a background less traditional to our field of work, and that’s okay. We would strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of the qualifications described.

Position Details 

Research fellows will be compensated US$30–40/hour, commensurate with experience. Fellows will be independent contractors paid by the hour, and this position does not include benefits. This position entails remote work only. No travel is required for this role.

Project Drawdown welcomes people of all backgrounds, identities, and beliefs to join us in helping the world reach drawdown quickly, safely, and equitably. We are a 100% remote organization based in the United States. 

Candidates must be authorized to work as an independent contractor to a United States-based entity, or equivalent term in their location, in their country and according to local regulations. By submitting an application, candidates are confirming that they have the required certification (if needed) to accept work as an independent contractor. Project Drawdown is not able to accept applications from candidates in Iran, Libya, Cuba, Syria, North Korea, Sudan, Russia, the Crimea Region of Ukraine, or other countries that are currently sanctioned by the United States.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. Applications received by January 3, 2025, will be given priority.

Interviews are expected to begin in early to mid-January.

How to Apply 

To be considered for this position, please submit your application at https://form.jotform.com/243255425101142  including:

• Cover letter that describes your experience and fit for this role, describing your research experiences, highlighting your relevant educational and work experiences, and clearly indicating in which sector(s) listed above you have expertise
• Most recent resume or CV
• Two recent writing samples – ideally one example of technical writing (a research paper, report, or journal article) and one of popular writing (an op-ed, essay, or plain language article); the applicant should be the sole or first author of the writing samples submitted – if that is not possible, include a statement in your cover letter detailing your exact contributions to the work.

Applicants selected for interviews will be required to provide at least two professional references.

Project Drawdown is an equal opportunity employer committed to having a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Project Drawdown does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by law, and we will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. We strongly encourage all qualified persons worldwide to apply for this position. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and the organization’s need.