Research Officer, Energy Systems Modeling

Sequoia Climate Foundation is a new philanthropy that seeks to decarbonize the world economy at a speed and scale equal to the challenge. We support bold strategies and efforts that will have both a near-term impact and the greatest probability of long-term success. We believe that solving climate change requires the adoption of ambitious, evidence-based policy solutions that transform markets, advance clean technology, and lead to large-scale change. 

 

Our focus areas include power, transportation, buildings, industry, land use, agriculture and forestry, finance, communications, movement building, and public engagement. Sequoia Climate Foundation is active in major emitting geographies, including China, the United States, India, and the European Union, among others. We are dedicated to building the political will and powerful coalitions needed to achieve these bold policy solutions. 

 

The Research Officer, Energy Systems Modeling will conduct cutting-edge, timely policy research and quantitative analyses on the potential and realized impacts of climate mitigation strategies (across major greenhouse gas emitters), with a focus on decarbonizing the global energy system. This role will support Sequoia’s Program teams to develop cutting-edge, impactful strategies for the transformation of climate action, based on quantitative analysis. The Research Officer will design and analyze policy scenarios in Sequoia’s in-house tool, as well as other external tools (including, for example, Energy Policy Simulator, PyPSA, OSeMOSYS, NEMS and where appropriate, integrated assessment models). The Research Officer will report to the Data and Modeling Manager and collaborate closely with Sequoia’s Evidence and Learning team.

 

Location: Hybrid Role (In-person 3 days per week at our Irvine, CA location and Remote 2 days per week)

Compensation: $118,000 – $148,000 annually

Key Responsibilities

• Co-designs and implements scenarios in energy models to maximize the impact of Sequoia’s grantmaking
• strategies.
• Leads collaborative scenario development and model-building sessions for Sequoia staff and external partners,
• facilitating quantitative discussions about theories of change and the credibility of specific
• parameters/assumptions.
• Supports Sequoia’s Data and Modeling Manager on the development and implementation of additional, cutting-
• edge functionality to our in-house models (in Python, R, VenSim).
• Supports the ongoing iteration of mitigation scenarios based on emerging evidence to inform Sequoia’s
• understanding of progress toward climate impact.
• Synthesizes scenarios and modeled outputs clearly to both modelers and non-modelers, supporting the
• development of products that support interpretation.
• Builds and maintains an external network to remain up to date on advances in energy policy and climate change
• modeling.
• Fosters a culture of iterative experimentation and learning among Sequoia staff and our partner organizations.
• Represents Sequoia Climate Fund at conferences and meetings with NGOs, funders, experts, and consultants,
• ensuring follow-up as needed.
• Performs other duties as required.

Graduate degree in science, engineering, or mathematics required.

A minimum of three years working in energy or climate policy modeling, or a related field is required.

Experience with one or more open-source energy modeling frameworks is required.

Demonstrated experience developing and implementing models in VenSim, Python or R required.

Experience with integrated assessment modeling framrworks (e.g., MESSAGEix) preferred.

Experience with collaborative model building preferred.

Experience working on energy systems issues in major greenhouse gas emitter or emerging emitters preferred.

 

COMPETENCIES

Integrity: Commitment to Sequoia Climate Fund’s mission and values.

Collegiality: Strong work ethic and experience working collaboratively with a team.

Efficiency/Initiative: Ability to learn quickly, juggle multiple tasks, prioritize effectively and meet deadlines.

Quality/Compliance: Attention to detail and timelines.

Analysis: Comfortable applying mathematical concepts including calculus, statistics, and Bayesian probability.

Specialized Knowledge: Energy systems or climate policy modeling.

 

You will be a part of an organization that promotes positive change in the world to minimize the impacts of climate change.  We provide competitive wages, health, and wellness benefits, paid vacation, holidays, and other perks to promote work/life harmony. We operate in a hybrid model, which means both workdays from home and in the office.

 

COVID-19 Update: Sequoia Climate Foundation encourages its employees to be fully vaccinated and up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.

 

We believe in cultivating teams with diverse backgrounds and offering equal opportunities to all. We strive to create a welcoming, inclusive environment where every team member feels valued, and diversity is celebrated. Sequoia is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or another legally protected status.