Research Associate, Buildings Policy

As a Research Associate, Buildings Policy, you will contribute to Clean Prosperity’s development of market-oriented climate policies. You will identify knowledge gaps, generate insights, and assess the policy implications for climate and energy policymakers. And you’ll get to do all this with the support of a motivated and welcoming team. Your particular focus will be on Clean Prosperity’s work program focused on (1) leading our work on decarbonizing large buildings, and (2) assisting in Clean Prosperity’s involvement in the most cost-effective route for low-carbon municipal growth.

Clean Prosperity is a Canadian climate policy organization that advocates for pragmatic solutions to build the low-carbon economy. We work on market-oriented policies that incentivize private enterprise to compete, innovate, and invest in low-carbon technologies. We believe that decarbonizing the Canadian economy is a significant opportunity to generate economic growth across the country, for the benefit of all Canadians.

Clean Prosperity is committed to diversity in its hiring processes. We welcome applications from members of visible minorities, First Nations, Métis, Inuit, persons with disabilities, persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to help provide a diverse range of perspectives and lived experiences.

The Research Associate’s responsibilities will include:

• Researching and writing on policy related to cost-effective decarbonizing large buildings.
• Reviewing literature and distilling the existing work to meaningful summaries.
• Meeting with subject matter experts and reporting internally on their advice.
• Producing and executing on work plans over the term of the position.
• Producing and executing on a plan for empirical research on cost-effective ways to reduce large building emissions.
• Contributing to building a compelling policy vision for cost-effectively decarbonizing the large buildings sector in Canada.
• Prepare briefing notes that analyze cost-effective decarbonization options for large buildings.

Additional work will include:

• Research and assistance on an urban growth tool that assesses pathways to reduce emissions while addressing housing affordability, with the University of Waterloo’s Future Cities Institute.

Since we are focused on policy change and have an active government relations team, our objective is to present your research to relevant policymakers and stakeholders. We want you to get as much out of this opportunity as possible, so if there are areas of our work that particularly interest you, let us know!

Skills/experience needed

The below list represents our ideal set of qualifications. We encourage you to apply if most of these are a fit, even if there are one or two that aren’t:

• A graduate or undergraduate degree with a focus on economics, public policy, environmental studies, engineering, energy systems, or a related discipline.
• Past work experience in the public sector, energy, environment, housing, or other related sector that has relevance for building-related emissions policy.
• Past work or research experience on solutions to decarbonize buildings and/or the built environment.
• Experience working with spreadsheets and databases.
• Experience with modelling of building systems
• Clear comfort and experience with qualitative and quantitative research, including literature reviews, interviews, and statutory interpretation.
• Understanding of current energy and climate policy landscape in Canada.
• An understanding of Canadian public policy (experience with public policy development would be a significant asset).
• Strategic thinker who can scope research questions, identify core challenges to execution, and define priorities accordingly.
• Skilled writer who is able to produce compelling written briefs and reports, with a demonstrated aptitude for simplifying technical topics for policy audiences.
• Fun to work with!
• Legally eligible to work in Canada.

The team and work environment

We are a small but mighty team! You will report to the Vice President, Research and Outreach while also working closely with our government relations teams on how to ensure that our research findings are considered and adopted.

Our team comes from a very diverse range of backgrounds and experiences, and we bring those perspectives to every effort, making all our work better in the process.

We are committed to creating a work environment that is fun, fulfilling, and effective. During the interview process, we will talk about culture and fit and discuss your work program. And while we have a strong culture already, we value the new ideas and fresh perspective that every new member of our team brings.

We expect that you will work a standard 37.5 hour per week schedule matching the Eastern timezone, with specifics to be agreed on and room for flexibility.

Even though we’re remote, you will interact regularly with the team. We hold weekly virtual staff meetings, virtual hangouts, and in-person retreats twice a year, for which you may be required to travel.

How to apply

Please send an email to ResearchAssociate@cleanprosperity.ca with subject line “Application for Research Associate” that includes:

1. Your resume

2. A cover letter that explains why you want to work with us, why you’d be a good fit, and something that you’re passionate about outside of work.

3. A writing sample (no more than five pages; something you have previously written). We are primarily looking for clarity of writing, organization of thought, and ability to distill technical information into simple language.