Policy Analyst*in (m/f/d)

Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)

The climate needs bright minds. The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) addresses crucial scientific questions in the fields of global change, climate impacts and sustainable development. It is one of the world's leading research institutions in its field and offers natural and social scientists from around the world an inspiring environment for excellent interdisciplinary research.

As part of our Evidence for Climate Solutions group in RD5 Climate Economics and Policy, we are excited to announce an opportunity to join the State of Carbon Dioxide Removal project, a prestigious international collaboration that delivers critical insights into the global progress of carbon dioxide removal (CDR). We invite applications for a

Policy analyst (m/f/d)

(Position number: 85-2024 Policy Analyst)

Background:

The State of CDR project first emerged as a collaboration among researchers that aimed to establish a reliable, independent and scientific assessment of the field. The first edition of the State of CDR was published in January 2023, with the second following in June 2024. The reports have succeeded in providing a first estimate of current global CDR deployment, and the gap between CDR proposed by countries and pathways to meet global climate goals. They have also quantified the development of CDR research, innovation and public perceptions. In generating this analysis, the initiative has created an international author community of over 50 experts, improved data availability through a new open-access data portal, and set a new standard of communication through an innovative approach with expert editors and visual developers.

The next 2-year phase of the State of CDR programme will ensure that the key facets of CDR development continue to be monitored and disseminated, openly and reliably, to improve decision-making over the coming crucial decades. We will deliver this through four activity streams - data collection and provision, report authoring, outreach and engagement and institution building.

The candidate will join the Evidence for Climate Solutions group (https://apsis.mcc-berlin.net/people/), which offers a unique environment of subject experts, evidence synthesis methodology experts and data scientists, all working to advance climate solutions. The candidate will also work closely with the other world-leading experts in climate science and policy, collaborating with research teams at the four State of CDR institutions (University of Oxford, University of Wisconsin-Madison, SWP Berlin and IIASA).

The project is just starting, and there is a real opportunity to shape your own research agenda according to your interests. We also believe that there is no such thing as the perfect candidate - and know that nobody will meet every single requirement - so if you meet some but not all of the requirements, or if you find some but not all of the responsibilities exciting, we really encourage you to get in touch contact and talk to us about how your expertise could align with our project goals and deliverables.

Key responsibilities:

• Collaborate with colleagues in partner institutions and research groups to research, collate data and co-author the State of CDR reports and underlying chapters, ensuring accuracy and relevance.
• Track CDR policy plans and implementation across different national contexts, including the Nationally Determined Contributions submitted by parties to the Paris Agreement, building a database to evaluate global CDR policy progress.
• Liaise with State of CDR chapter authors to ensure the research and data align with the narrative and structure of the report.
• Work with the State of CDR Data Lead to prepare, format, submit and update data to the SoCDR data portal, ensuring its quality, authenticity and timeliness.
• Assist in identifying data gaps and contribute to prioritising efforts to fill these gaps in collaboration with State of CDR authors and colleagues.
• Work with the lead authors and graphics team to develop high-quality visuals that effectively communicate the data and findings of the SoCDR reports.
• Support in the preparation and publication of articles in esteemed peer-reviewed journals that contribute to the underlying evidence base of the State of CDR.

Requirements:

• Postgraduate qualification (e.g. M.Sc.) in a relevant field of climate mitigation research, e.g. Political Science, Environmental Science, Economics, or other social sciences.
• Interest in data collection, analysis, and research, preferably in a climate-related field such as carbon dioxide removal, environmental science, or climate policy.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse team of researchers, data managers, and authors, as well as external stakeholders and partners.
• Excellent communication, presentation and writing skills in English are required, and proficiency in other languages is an asset.
• Experience working with visual data representation, including charts, graphs, and other graphics that communicate complex information clearly.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously.

We expect:

• the ability to work independently and on your own initiative
• a methodical and systematic approach
• structured and goal-oriented thinking
• capacity to familiarise yourself quickly with new topics
• creativity and openness to new approaches
• reliability, engagement, and a high level of motivation
• enthusiasm for teamwork
• commitment to diversity and inclusion.

We offer:

• the opportunity to start building your research profile in a key area of climate policy analysis
• the opportunity to work with an esteemed group of international scholars and key stakeholders on cutting-edge scientific questions with high societal relevance and the prospect of high-impact publications;
• the chance to be part of an engaged, interdisciplinary and multicultural team at PIK;
• a stimulating working environment in an internationally recognised research institute situated at the Berlin offices of the modern EUREF Sustainability Campus in Berlin;
• flexi-time and mobile working (up to 50% of your hours),
• a collective pay scheme and associated benefits as well as a subsidized travel card or Deutschland-Ticket Job.

PIK values equality and diversity. We encourage applications without photo. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of ethnic and social origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, care responsibilities, or age. PIK seeks to increase the share of women in scientific positions and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply. In cases of equal qualification and within the given legal scope, women will be given preference. PIK also encourages applications by parents returning from parental leave.

If you hold an international higher education qualification, please also submit a certificate evaluation from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) with your application. If you do not yet have a transcript evaluation, please note that you may have to request one if your application is successful. For further information, please visit the website: https://www.kmk.org/zab/central-office-for-foreign-education.html

For further information or to discuss the position please contact William Lamb.