Website CEEW

Designation offered

Research Analyst (Energy Materials)

Focus area

Technology Futures

Location

New Delhi, India

Reporting to

Programme Associate

Programme Description

Globally, countries and companies are aiming to transition to a low-carbon pathway in the coming decades. Many countries have already announced their Net Zero emission targets starting 2050. India has also committed to a Net-Zero path and aims to achieve the same by 2070. India has also committed to setting up 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based power generation capacity, 50 per cent renewable energy capacity, reduction of one billion tonnes of carbon emission and reduction of carbon intensity by 45 per cent by 2030.

Advancements in hard and soft components of technology will be crucial for reduction, capture and offset of emissions. Technologies need to be designed and developed according to the local requirements. It is hence imperative that technological innovations across the value chain be conceptualised, designed, nurtured and supported proactively for applications in India. Given the magnitude of change that is required, India can become the global powerhouse that co-develops, deploys, manufactures, exports and recycles these emerging and next-generation technologies. The research programme assesses the impacts and eventually drives technological advancements across the value chain – mining, procurement, manufacturing, deployment, reuse and recycling.

Purpose

CEEW seeks to hire a Research Analyst for the newly set up Technology Futures team. The world needs a diverse set of clean energy technologies to rapidly address the climate crisis, from solar photovoltaics and wind turbines to battery storage and electric mobility. To achieve global net-zero as per IEA’s analysis, solar manufacturing capacity would need to grow two times, while wind manufacturing capacity would need to grow four times and EV battery manufacturing would need to be eight times between 2021 and 2030. India’s manufacturing sector is still a small player in the global industry supplying these vital technologies, particularly in the technologically complex energy materials that are used across the clean energy sector. India must become a leader in advanced energy materials if it is to secure its clean energy supplies and vastly increase its participation in the global clean energy value chain.

The individual will be responsible for analysing research, development and deployment (R, D & D) trends in advanced energy materials for clean energy technologies in India and globally. As India scales up its manufacturing of clean energy technologies and components, the individual will also need to carry out market research on global advanced material manufacturing developments. The candidate will also be expected support the development of techno-economic models related to material synthesis and clean energy technology manufacturing.

We are looking for a candidate with a strong understanding of advanced materials and aptitude to work in a diverse, inter-disciplinary team.

Job Duties and Accountabilities

Energy materials technology research

Develop research outputs in various forms such as publications, journal papers or reports on topics related to both R, D & D and industrial synthesis of energy materials in India and globally.
Analyse the impact of energy materials innovation of the manufacturing and deployment of clean energy technologies
Support development of lifecycle and material flow assessments of the Indian clean energy manufacturing sector

Market and policy research

Track market developments in the energy materials and clean energy technology space
Support development of technology forecasting methodologies for the clean energy sector
Track the impact of policies globally on the advanced energy materials sector

Stakeholder engagement and outreach

Build networks with innovators in academia and industry in the energy materials sector
Participate in relevant conferences, workshops, training programmes as necessary to communicate research findings and gain insights on new research in focus areas

Programmatic support

Assist with project implementation, including preparing presentations, factsheets and other communication material
Accompany team members for meetings with other stakeholders and assist with relevant follow up
Assist in organising webinars, workshops and roundtables as part of the team’s outreach activities

Desirable Outcomes (first year)

Build CEEW’s knowledge and understanding on advanced energy materials
Author at least one report or journal article
Develop a database of clean energy material science innovations in India
Take up at least one institutional responsibility or actively work on one institutional initiative.

Shortlisting Criteria and key skills

A bachelor’s or master’s degree in material sciences, metallurgy or any other technical field with a strong focus on materials
Strong understanding of advanced materials, particularly energy materials
Must have a functional knowledge of clean energy sector, particularly clean energy manufacturing in India
Must have a functional knowledge of the technology R, D & D lifecycle and the materials research space in India
Ability to summarise and communicate the insights/findings as reports and presentations

Experience

Zero to two years’ work experience
Experience in working on academic/market research projects is desirable

Main skills

Ability to identify technical and policy issues, interpret data, develop quantitative methods, and identify/ develop creative solutions
Good written and oral communication skills; Good report writing skills
Strong analytical skills, including quantitative research
Ability to use MS Office application suite including MS Excel

Personality

Willingness to learn new research and project management skills
Ability to adapt to new environment and deliver under tight deadlines in a professional environment
Striving for rigour in research and quality in work output
Ability to effectively work in a team while being able to independently drive research with minimum assistance, when time demands
Ability to dig deeper into details, while also keeping a sense of the broader objectives and big picture
Willingness to learn, grow and develop at personal and professional front, at a rapid pace with a steep learning curve
Ability to work in an interdisciplinary and multicultural environment

To apply for this job please visit www.ceew.in.