The Center for Global Sustainability (CGS) works to catalyze more effective action on climate and sustainability challenges by integrating collaborative engagement across diverse communities with our ability to generate high-quality analysis. Our deep team of scholar-practitioners has significant and diverse experience in implementing real policy and decision making at the highest levels, and simultaneously in leading field in research. CGS works to build global capacity for analysis to support climate ambition, to understand cleaner energy technology pathways, to enhance resilience to climate change, and to support new approaches to energy and climate finance.
Available Positions
The Center for Global Sustainability (CGS, cgs.umd.edu) at the University of Maryland is looking for research assistant(s) with excellent research, coordination, and communication skills. The mission of CGS is, through our research and policy engagement, to change the way that governments, diverse organizations, and people around the world envision and implement new possibilities for ambitious climate action. Our team has significant and diverse experience in both delivering field-leading research and informing, supporting, and implementing policy in national and international contexts.
These will be paid hourly positions up to 20 hours/week over the semester. The research assistants will work with CGS and our collaborators, as appropriate, to apply robust and innovative research approaches to understanding national climate ambition, energy transition, climate finance, non CO2 mitigation, and other topics at the center of climate policy and sustainability debates.
Specific projects may include but are not limited to the following:
- Near- and long-term low-carbon development strategies of key countries
- All-of-society climate mitigation strategies in the United States
- Accelerated fossil transition pathways in key countries, potentially including but not limited to subnational strategies
- Co-benefits of climate change mitigation, such as air quality and human health, economic development, and other national priorities
- Scenarios for analyzing climate and transition risks to the economy and financial system
- Decarbonization strategies for industry, transportation, and other sectors
- Methane and other non-CO2 reduction strategies at national or subnational levels
- Agricultural and other land-related mitigation options
Specific tasks may include the following:
- Conduct background research and analysis of climate, energy, environment, and sustainable development policies
- Collect, analyze and visualize data
- Contribute to writing reports and potential research papers
- Support research communications, data visualization, and content creation for all of CGS’s digital mediums
Specific required skills are:
- Knowledge in climate, energy, and sustainability issues and policies
- Excellent English language proficiency required, particularly written
- Dedication and strong ability to learn quickly
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a team environment
- Background in quantitative analysis, data collection and management
Specific preferred skills include:
- Coding skills in R, Python and/or STATA
- Geospatial analysis and/or econometric skills
- Ability to read and interpret legislation
To apply, please send a CV/resume, brief cover letter, and availability to work (part-time or full-time) to cgs@umd.edu. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled. The priority deadline for the summer is August 14, 2023.
About the Center for Global Sustainability: Through world-leading research and policy engagement, the Center for Global Sustainability at the University of Maryland seeks to change the way that governments, businesses, and people envision and implement possibilities for ambitious climate action. Founded in 2016 in response to the need for thought leadership, analysis, and engagement to support the achievement of global climate goals, its programs advance understanding to support ambitious national and subnational climate strategies, fossil phase-out, energy innovation, finance, and other priorities in the United States, China, Indonesia, India, Brazil, and other major economies. CGS currently supports about 30 researchers, and works with a rich community of collaborators around the world. CGS is housed within the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, which focuses on integrating practice with research, blending national and international policy, and working at all policy levels from local to global. It grants degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. It currently counts in its community roughly 800 undergraduates, 300 graduate students, 500 Executive Program students, 60 staff, and 80 faculty. The University of Maryland, College Park, is a land-grant, sea-grant, top-tier (R1) research university, and is the major research university in the Washington, DC area, located 8 miles from the U.S. Capitol. It was recently ranked 14th in the U.S. in the National Science Foundation’s national rankings of all universities. It has an annual budget of $2.1 billion and administers approximately $1.2 billion in combined University of Maryland annual research awards. It has strengths in climate, energy, and environmental policy, environmental and earth sciences, remote sensing, climate and energy modeling, and computational and social sciences.
Diversity Statement: The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. The Center for Global Sustainability is committed to fostering a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive world both within our community and through collaborative research and action. Read the CGS Vision on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion here.
The Center for Global Sustainability (CGS, cgs.umd.edu) at the University of Maryland is looking for Post-Masters Research Associate(s) with strong analytical and communication skills and a desire to apply those skills in support of climate and sustainability issues. This position will be a full-time appointment for one year and renewable for two years based on performance.
The mission of CGS is, through our research and policy engagement, to change the way that governments, diverse organizations, and people around the world envision and implement new possibilities for ambitious climate action. Our team has significant and diverse experience in both delivering field-leading research and informing, supporting, and implementing policy in national and international contexts.
The Post-Grad Research Associate will work with CGS and our collaborators, as appropriate, to develop and apply robust and innovative research approaches to better understand pathways to reach challenging and ambitious climate and sustainability goals at international, national, and/or subnational levels. Such research approaches may include integrated quantitative analysis and modeling, empirical methods, qualitative and mixed methods, or other approaches to understanding energy systems, land use, non-CO2 climate forcers, and other topics at the center of climate policy and sustainability debates. Specific projects may include but are not limited to the following:
- Near- and long-term low carbon development strategies of key countries, such as China, India, Indonesia, Brazil, etc.
- All-of-society climate mitigation strategies in the United States.
- Pathways to achieve Maryland’s 2031 emissions reduction and net-zero targets
- Accelerated fossil transition pathways in key countries, potentially including but not limited to subnational strategies.
- Co-benefits of climate change mitigation, such as air quality and human health, economic development, and other national priorities.
- Scenarios for analyzing climate and transition risks to the economy and financial system.
- Decarbonization strategies for industry, transportation, and other sectors.
- Methane and other non-CO2 reduction strategies at national or subnational levels.
- Agricultural and other land-related mitigation options.
Primary duties and tasks of this position may include:
- Conduct background research and analysis of climate, energy, environment, and sustainable development policies.
- Conduct background research on energy technology trends.
- Collect and synthesize data for use in quantitative, integrated modeling.
- Process, analyze, and visualize data.
- Modify and run an integrated assessment model (GCAM) to produce different policy and technology scenarios.
- Process and downscale model outputs to needed resolution.
- Contribute to developing reports and research papers.
- Support policy engagements with key local, national, and international stakeholders.
- Use a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods to address key research questions.
The candidate should be self-motivated, team-oriented, and interested in developing and applying high-quality research to inform policy on climate and sustainability issues. Specific required and preferred skills are:
Minimum qualifications:
- Candidates must have received a Master’s degree within the past 24 months from an accredited college or university.
- Excellent English language proficiency required, particularly written.
Desired qualifications:
- Degree in Public Policy, Engineering, Economics, or related field, with knowledge in climate, energy and sustainability issues.e
- Background in quantitative analysis, data collection and management.
- Excellent writing skills.
- Coding skills in R and/or Python.
- Dedication and strong ability to learn quickly.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a team environment.
To apply, please visit: https://ejobs.umd.edu/postings/111395. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled; the priority deadline is September 11th, 2023.
The Center for Global Sustainability (CGS, cgs.umd.edu) at the University of Maryland is looking for a Post-Bachelors Research Associate(s) with strong analytical and communication skills and a desire to apply those skills in support of climate and sustainability issues. This position will be a full-time appointment for one year and renewable for two years based on performance.
The mission of CGS is, through our research and policy engagement, to change the way that governments, diverse organizations, and people around the world envision and implement new possibilities for ambitious climate action. Our team has significant and diverse experience in both delivering field-leading research and informing, supporting, and implementing policy in national and international contexts.
The candidate should be self-motivated, team-oriented, and interested in developing and applying high-quality research to inform policy on climate and sustainability issues. Specific required and preferred skills are:
Desired qualifications:
- Degree in Public Policy, Engineering, Economics, or related field, with knowledge in climate, energy and sustainability issues.
- Background in quantitative analysis, data collection and management.
- Excellent writing skills.
- Coding skills in R and/or Python.
- Dedication and strong ability to learn quickly.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a team environment.
To apply, please visit: https://ejobs.umd.edu/postings/111395. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled; the priority deadline is September 11th, 2023.
The Center for Global Sustainability at the University of Maryland is looking for a Maryland Program coordinator. The mission of CGS is, through our research and policy engagement, to change the way that governments, diverse organizations, and people around the world envision and implement new possibilities for ambitious climate action. Our team has significant and diverse experience in both delivering field-leading research and informing, supporting, and implementing policy in national and international contexts.
This position will provide coordination and research support across a portfolio of research projects supporting the state of Maryland’s climate goals as part of an ongoing collaboration between the Center for Global Sustainability and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). It will support both internal project management and external stakeholder engagement, including the facilitation of Working Group meetings as part of the Maryland Commission on Climate Change (MCCC). This position will also contribute to research analysis and development of research products related to the Working Group areas and beyond.
The candidate should be self-motivated, team-oriented, and interested in climate and sustainability policy within Maryland in addition to climate equity and inclusion. Specific required and preferred skills are:
Minimum Qualifications:
- Experience with climate policy in the state of Maryland and knowledge of stakeholder groups.
- Experience with justice and equity aspects of climate policy at the state and/or local level.
- Demonstrated commitment to expanding multicultural knowledge, awareness, and skills as evidenced through demonstrating self-awareness; understanding and valuing others; demonstrating knowledge of social inequalities; interacting effectively with a diversity of people; and fostering equity and inclusion.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Education and Experience:
- An undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 4 years of experience in relevant areas, including policy analysis, research program management, communications, external affairs, media engagement, government relations, and/or brand management.
OR
- A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline with a minimum of 2 years of experience in relevant areas.
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience in linking research insights to external impact.
- Experience working with both universities and policy environments outside of academia.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
- Strong project management skills.
- The ability and desire to work in a fast-paced, team environment.
- Commitment to enhancing CGS’s mission and goals.
To apply, please visit https://ejobs.umd.edu/postings/111779. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled; the priority deadline is October 9th, 2023.