Research Fellow, SBTi
- Openings: 4
- Closing Date: March 31, 2023
- Expected Start Date: May 16, 2023
- Location: Remote
- Duration: 3 months with the possibility of extension up to 7 months
- Hourly Rate: $20-$30 hourly
- Schedule: 20 – 28 hours per week
- Process: Screening questions in lieu of a phone screen and writing assignment for finalists to be submitted prior to interview
- Flexible Scheduling Options
CDP is an equal employment opportunity employer seeking diversity in qualified applicants for employment. We welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any special accommodation in order to participate fully in our recruitment process by sending a message to the recruiter connected to the role. They may be contacted directly by responding to any message you receive through our system after applying.
Who we are
About the SBTi: The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a global body enabling businesses to set ambitious emissions reductions targets in line with the latest climate science. It is focused on accelerating companies across the world to halve emissions before 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions before 2050.
The initiative is a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and one of the We Mean Business Coalition commitments. The SBTi defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting, offers resources and guidance to reduce barriers to adoption, and independently assesses and approves companies’ targets. For more information please visit www.sciencebasedtargets.org.
About the team: This position is based within the Research Team, a 4-6 member team that conducts original research and draws from the wider research community to develop transparent cross-sector technical outputs that contribute to the integrity of science-based targets and maximize climate action.
This role will be hosted by CDP
At CDP, we are on a mission to solve our planet’s biggest environmental challenges: climate change, water scarcity and deforestation. We believe you can’t manage what you don’t measure – so we run the world’s largest environmental disclosure system. For the past two decades, our team has worked tirelessly to create a thriving economy that works for people and planet in the long term – we accomplish this by engaging the global actors who wield the greatest influence in driving environmental change: companies, cities, governments, and the capital markets.
CDP’s cascading global impact is powered by our tight-knit team of smart, savvy, curious and committed individuals, who share a common passion for creating a sustainable future. It is our people who make our work possible. And we provide our people with a working environment that empowers each individual to reach their full potential: one that is committed to equity; one that provides equal access for growth and development; and one that supports each individual throughout the full employee life cycle.
Job Purpose and Background: Research fellows are an integral part of the SBTi Research Team, which leads original and collaborative research that strengthens the SBTi’s methods and guidance. Our research aims to improve the coverage and effectiveness of science-based target-setting approaches through academic engagement, diligent testing/analysis, and multi-stakeholder feedback. Fellows conduct qualitative and quantitative research, under supervision by SBTi staff, to produce tailored research on ambitious corporate action on climate.
You will be assigned to a project based primarily on the needs of the SBTi, as well as consideration of your interests and previous experience. Potential research topics may include: summaries of emerging fields such as greenhouse gas accounting methods, carbon dioxide removal and offsets, equity-focused emissions allocation approaches, market- and location-based instruments for reducing emissions from power generation, and sector-specific decarbonization strategies for industry, transportation, power utilities, and others. This position is an exciting opportunity for someone looking to develop a career in environmental stewardship who is interested in using science to drive action in line with the 1.5C goal of the Paris Agreement.
What you will receive
- The opportunity to work in one of the most successful and fastest-growing initiatives driving climate action
- Exciting and challenging tasks in a dynamic, international, innovative, and highly motivated team
- Exceptional training and development
Who you are
- Must reside and be eligible to work in the United States of America or Canada without employer sponsorship
- Completed Bachelor's in environmental studies, climate/earth science, civil engineering, social science, or a related field (at the time of fellowship start) OR currently enrolled in a graduate program in any of these areas
- You have an interest in sustainability and climate change mitigation
- You can conduct research as a research assistant or lab member, including literature review, qualitative interviews or statistical analysis, and scientific writing
- You are motivated and equipped to progress most phases of the research process, while building relationships with and drawing upon SBTi’s extensive expert network
- Academic or professional experience conducting qualitative or quantitative analysis
- Detail-oriented, organized, and creative thinker
- Developed research and writing skills
Your day-to-day
- Coordinate and conduct research on your assigned projects
- Assist the Research Team with tasks such as collecting and organizing data from various sources, evaluating proposed research, and contributing to research methodology decisions
- Contribute written and graphic content to briefings, reports and presentations
- Summarize incoming reports and articles for team members
- Organize information and research for external audiences
Please note that we do not conduct phone screens and utilize screening questions in each of our processes. You will receive the questions via email shortly after applying and your responses will be due at 5:00 pm ET on the recruitment closing date. Please send your answers in a PDF or Microsoft Word document in your reply to this message.
Learning and Career Growth
You will receive an invitation to join our LinkedIn alumni group to connect with global colleagues and alumni along with access to LinkedIn Learning for personal and professional development.