Research Fellow

Research Fellow

Project Drawdown is searching for a part-time Research Fellow to help us assess potential climate solutions across a range of sectors and disciplines, with a focus on the Electricity sector and electricity generation solutions. They will contribute to the body of work in the Drawdown Explorer.

The fellow 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 guide for science-based climate solutions.

We are an independent, internationally trusted organization driving bold, science-based approaches to stop climate change.

Our work is built on three pillars:

• SCIENCE - Advancing Science-Based Climate Solutions and Strategies. First, we conduct cutting-edge research to identify the best possible climate solutions and design the most effective strategies to bring them to scale. Then, we share our findings with the world through effective science communication, marketing campaigns, and media partnerships.
• STAKEHOLDERS - Engaging Key Stakeholders and Empowering Bold Climate Leadership. Next, we use our science to inform, inspire, and empower key stakeholders and emerging climate leaders – including policymakers, community leaders, philanthropists, investors, business leaders, and others - to take bold action and bring the most effective solutions to the world.
• STORIES - Telling Human Stories of Solutions in Action. Finally, we use the power of storytelling to help shift the narrative on climate change – from problem to solution and from “doom and gloom” to “opportunity and possibility.” Along the way, we showcase new climate heroes putting solutions into action.

In short, we believe that rigorous science is needed to guide climate action. And we believe that this science must be shared in actionable, compelling ways – through stakeholder engagement and powerful storytelling. Our job is to make this happen.

About the Role

Project Drawdown is looking for a Research Fellow to join our team, starting as soon as possible in late November or early December 2025. Fellows are anticipated to commit on average 20-25 hours/week over a 6-month contract duration. This is a fully remote role.

Drawdown Research Fellows analyze potential climate solutions, drawing upon years of advanced study, experience, and a wide range of backgrounds. The Fellow 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 team.

Position Responsibilities:

• Conduct quantitative analyses for several solutions within the Electricity sector. For examples of solutions (completed and upcoming), see the Drawdown Explorer.
• Maintain an analysis spreadsheet and summary document of results
• Serve as a reviewer to provide feedback on solutions lead by other Research Fellows
• Revise documents based on internal and external reviews
• Communicate with the assessment team about up-to-date timelines for completing steps of the analysis
• Attend weekly meetings with relevant Project Drawdown teams (between 9am-12pm U.S. Pacific time)
• Track tasks diligently using project management software

Fellowship Subject Areas

We are looking for individuals with knowledge and expertise in the following area:

• 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.

Candidates with expertise in the electricity sector will be given priority.

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

• Industry: Reducing emissions from manufacturing processes; practices for supporting circular economies; reducing demand for high-GWP materials; reducing waste.
• Transportation: Reducing emissions from road vehicles, shipping, and air travel; reducing demand for transportation and/or alternative forms of transit.
• Buildings: 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; 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; improving fisheries and mariculture.
• 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 in preparing clear, compelling, and accurate reports and presentations.
• Strong written communication ability to a diverse general audience.
• 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 between 9:00am–12:00pm U.S. Pacific Time.
• Able to use Google Sheets and Google Docs for delivering individual work products and collaboratively.

Studies have shown that women, trans, non-binary, and BIPOC candidates are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t believe they meet all of the qualifications listed in a job description. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization while finding the best candidates for the job. These candidates may be ones who come from less traditional backgrounds, and that’s okay. So, we encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet all of the qualifications described.

Position Details 

Research fellows will be compensated between $30–$40 USD/hour, commensurate with experience. Fellows will be independent contractors paid by the hour. 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 driving bold, science-based approaches to stop climate change. 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, Venezuela, or regions 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 November 2, 2025, will be given priority.

Interviews are expected to begin in mid-November 2025.

How to Apply 

To be considered for this position, please submit your application at https://form.jotform.com/252804634964161 including:

• Cover letter (as PDF) 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. Electricity sector experience in particular should be highlighted.
• Most recent resume or CV (as PDF).
• Two recent writing samples (as PDFs) – 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.

All application materials should be written in English. 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 needs.