Energy and Climate Researcher

ICF • Arlington, VA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

ICF is hiring an entry-level researcher to support its energy and climate planning consulting practice through research, data analysis, technical reviews, report writing, and engagement-related activities. The work covers energy and economic analyses, procurement and planning; regulatory and policy support; greenhouse gas accounting and management; infrastructure climate risk and resilience; and sustainability goal setting and performance management for clients.

The role emphasizes quantitative analysis and synthesizing research and data through statistical analysis, data visualization, and modeling. The researcher will communicate quantitative results in reports and presentations. The position is intended for candidates with 0–1 years of experience who can start in Fall 2026. It is based in Arlington, Virginia, or New York, New York, with a hybrid arrangement requiring at least two days in the office each week.

ICF describes itself as a global advisory and technology services provider that combines subject-matter expertise and technology to help clients address complex challenges. The company states that it is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations during the application and employment process.

Requirements

• By the start date, have completed a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Data Science, Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, Environmental or Energy Engineering, Economics, Chemistry, Math, Statistics, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Policy, Operations Research, or a similarly related field.
• Have 0–1 years of experience.
• Be available to start work during Fall 2026.
• Be authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated interest in energy, economic, climate, resilience, or sustainability topics.
• Comfort performing quantitative analyses and managing and analyzing large datasets.
• Comfort using quantitative data analysis tools, particularly Python, Microsoft Excel, R, and/or GIS, for advanced statistical analysis, data visualization, and modeling.
• Comfort using Word, PowerPoint, Canva, and other tools to communicate and present information.
• Ability to use research and data to tell a story and provide clients with salient information for decision-making.
• Strong writing skills and ability to communicate clearly and professionally with technical and non-technical audiences.
• Comfort reading, interpreting, and presenting technical and analytical information.
• Familiarity with energy markets and economics, climate adaptation and resilience, and/or sustainability practices, policies, and regulations.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to use AI tools such as CoPilot or ChatGPT for research and task efficiencies.
• Experience or familiarity with energy markets, economics, and modeling; climate resilience and sustainability planning; energy, water, and/or transportation infrastructure; energy and environmental policies and regulations; programming; relevant industry-standard protocols, methods, and tools; clean energy and decarbonization; client or community engagement; communicating complex topics to technical and non-technical audiences; cross-functional collaboration; and managing multiple priorities and time proactively.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research and data analysis to support ICF’s energy and climate planning consulting practice.
• Assist with technical reviews, report writing, and engagement-related activities.
• Support energy and economic analyses, procurement, and planning.
• Support regulatory and policy work.
• Support greenhouse gas accounting and management.
• Support infrastructure climate risk and resilience work.
• Assist clients with sustainability goal setting and performance management.
• Perform quantitative analyses, including statistical analysis, data visualization, and modeling.
• Synthesize research and data and communicate quantitative results through reports or presentations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level