Energy and Climate Analyst

RTI International•Lucani Municipality, North Carolina

15h•Hybrid

About The Position

RTI International’s Center for Innovation and Applied Economics helps clients build innovation capacity, accelerate technology from lab to market, and understand the economic impact of innovation. The Energy and Climate Analyst conducts rigorous research and translates findings into actionable recommendations for commercial, government, and NGO clients. Topics may include renewable energy generation and fuels, energy storage and demand management, electrification, energy efficiency, and carbon capture, storage, and utilization. The role includes evaluating energy and climate startups and emerging technologies, supporting commercialization and funding opportunities, and preparing clear deliverables for technical and non-technical audiences. The analyst works with subject matter experts and cross-functional, international teams, manages tasks and client communications, and presents findings to clients and stakeholders. RTI expects responsible use of artificial intelligence tools alongside scientific rigor and human validation. This is a full-time position that may be performed by telework, at RTI’s headquarters in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, or in a hybrid model.

Requirements

1–2 years of work experience related to the energy or renewable fuels industries.
Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering with interdisciplinary R&D experience; preferred disciplines include electrical and computer engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, and environmental and civil engineering.
Business acumen and some familiarity with technology transfer or commercialization, innovation accelerator programs, or startup fundraising.
Strong scientific communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences, and strong analytical and time-management skills.
Ability and willingness to work beyond one’s core field and learn new scientific or technical domains quickly.
Team-centric mindset and strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
Proficiency with MS Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Word) and collaboration tools such as Teams; interest in learning and driving responsible use of AI technologies in scientific research.
Legal authorization to work in the United States without requiring current or future employment visa sponsorship.
Include a cover letter explaining interest in joining the team and how experience aligns with the Innovation Analyst role.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with the structure, industry participants, and regulatory environment of the electric utility and generation industry in the United States; familiarity with these areas in Canada, Europe, and other regions is also preferred.
An advanced degree in science or engineering, such as an MS or PhD, may be considered as R&D experience, especially if research commercialization was explored.
A degree or certificate in business, marketing, or finance, or equivalent experience working closely with one of these functions.

Responsibilities

Conduct investment due diligence on startup companies, assessing market size, intellectual property, value proposition, technical feasibility, and leadership team structure.
Collaborate with RTI subject matter experts on market research informing technoeconomic analyses and bankability assessments of energy and climate startups.
Provide commercialization services to companies in RTI’s Pilot Accelerator, including market sizing, value proposition testing, and partnership development.
Connect applicants with Department of Energy funding opportunities through the TechWerx team.
Scout and assess emerging technologies, partners, and business models across academia, startups, and industry; evaluate their feasibility, scalability, and potential impact.
Use artificial intelligence tools responsibly while maintaining scientific rigor, quality, and human expert validation of findings.
Synthesize complex information into reports, presentations, and workshops for technical and non-technical audiences.
Collaborate with cross-functional, international teams; manage tasks, timelines, and client communications to deliver high-quality work on time.
Facilitate meetings and present interim and final findings to clients and stakeholders.
Contribute to a positive, inclusive team culture and uphold RTI’s mission and values.