Job Description

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior Climate Researcher & Grantmaker based in the United States. The Senior Climate Researcher & Grantmaker will shape evidence-based funding strategies to maximize the global impact of climate philanthropy. This senior role combines rigorous research, quantitative modeling, and strategic grantmaking to help direct significant funding toward the most effective climate interventions. You will assess diverse technologies, policies, and decarbonization strategies, identifying opportunities where philanthropic capital can drive meaningful change. Working closely with research and grantmaking colleagues, you will evaluate complex funding proposals, develop innovative analytical frameworks, and translate findings into actionable recommendations. You will also build relationships with climate experts, funders, and policymakers while representing the team's research at major industry events. This is an opportunity to influence global climate priorities within a collaborative, intellectually curious environment that values independent thinking, methodological innovation, and measurable real-world impact. Accountabilities: The Senior Climate Researcher & Grantmaker will lead high-impact climate research and funding evaluations, helping determine where philanthropic resources can achieve the greatest environmental benefit. Key responsibilities include: - Analyze global climate interventions and strategies to assess their effectiveness and alignment with high-impact funding priorities. - Lead complex research projects independently, from defining research questions and selecting methodologies to delivering evidence-based conclusions. - Evaluate competing theories of change, including approaches related to climate innovation, emissions reduction, and avoiding carbon lock-in, using literature reviews, expert consultations, and quantitative modeling.

- Assess potential grantmaking opportunities and estimate their expected impact, cost-effectiveness, and contribution to global climate outcomes. - Use quantitative decision-support tools to model impacts, uncertainties, and assumptions, including when data is incomplete or difficult to obtain. - Conduct focused investigations into climate policy developments, emissions trends, climate damages, and other emerging issues, typically completing short-term research assignments within one week. - Identify gaps in climate philanthropy by analyzing global decarbonization efforts and highlighting areas where funding is insufficient relative to potential impact. - Develop relationships with prospective grantees, philanthropic funders, policymakers, and experts across the climate and energy ecosystem. - Represent the climate research team's perspectives at international conferences, climate summits, donor events, and other high-level gatherings. - Communicate complex technical findings through clear written reports, presentations, and recommendations tailored to donors and other stakeholders. - Contribute to the development, testing, and refinement of innovative grantmaking methodologies and shared analytical frameworks. - Collaborate closely with research and grantmaking colleagues to resolve analytical bottlenecks, compare opportunities across diverse sectors, and strengthen strategic decision-making. - Support the development of funding strategies across areas such as clean energy innovation, emerging-market energy systems, alternative proteins, and climate policy. Requirements: The ideal candidate combines established expertise in climate policy or economics with strong quantitative reasoning, independent research capabilities, and a broad understanding of how climate solutions interact across sectors and regions.

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