Energy and Environment Analyst

U.S.•Somerville, MA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

SEI US seeks an Energy and Environment Analyst to join our Energy Modeling Program, which works to improve the quality and accessibility of the modeling behind the world’s energy and climate policies. We produce two of the most widely used energy and climate change mitigation modeling tools, the Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) and the Next Energy Modeling system for Optimization (NEMO). With over 75,000 users in more than 190 countries, LEAP and NEMO underlie hundreds of energy plans, climate strategies, air pollution plans, and more. For example, more than 30 countries developed their most recent Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Agreement with LEAP. Our team is small but high-impact. We emphasize connecting modeling to sustainable development, particularly in low and middle-income countries, and democratizing the use of models – liberating partners from consultants and high-priced proprietary tools. We make LEAP and NEMO freely available to governments and non-profits in low and middle-income countries, support our community of practice, and conduct innovative modeling projects to push conceptual and methodological boundaries. As an analyst with the program, you will contribute to all of this. You’ll help build and use models, train and support partners, co-author reports and papers, and present at meetings and conferences. You’ll work directly with the head of the program and have access to a range of professional development opportunities, including mentorship, on-the-job training, and time (generally 10 days per year) for self-directed professional development (e.g., publishing, taking a course). You’ll also have various advancement pathways available to you. Staff who join SEI as an analyst commonly go on to graduate study and more senior positions in energy and climate, both at SEI and beyond. The role SEI is an independent, international research organization working on sustainable development issues at local, national, and global policy levels. The Energy Modeling Program, based in Somerville, Massachusetts, develops quantitative modeling tools and techniques and conducts modeling and policy support projects around the world. This work centers on modeling energy systems and greenhouse gas emissions but includes analyses of conventional air pollution, the water-energy-food nexus, macroeconomic systems, and the Sustainable Development Goals. The program emphasizes projects in low and middle-income countries but also carries out assignments in the US and Europe. The Energy and Environment Analyst position is an entry-level position in which you will be asked to support the program’s work in a variety of ways, including research, technical analysis, partner and stakeholder engagement, reporting, and program administration. You will learn to use LEAP and NEMO and help others use them. Your work will be mostly desk-based, but you may be asked to travel internationally a few times a year.

Requirements

A bachelor’s or higher-level degree in a discipline related to the position (natural sciences, engineering, computer science, economics, mathematics, statistics, or similar)
Demonstrated quantitative skills and experience in data collection and analysis (at least 3 semester-long courses or equivalent work experience)
Experience with computer programming, particularly for data analysis, quantitative modeling, and/or web development
Fluency in spoken and written English, sufficient to collaborate closely with colleagues, author technical reports, and communicate directly with stakeholders and training participants
Authorization to work in the United States

Nice To Haves

Proficiency in one or more languages other than English
Knowledge of energy and environmental modeling tools such as LEAP, NEMO, TIMES/MARKAL, OSeMOSYS, MESSAGE, or similar
Experience as an instructor, teacher, or trainer

Responsibilities

Data collection for model development, including researching and documenting sources, compiling data, and formatting data sets
Statistical analyses to provide inputs for models, including calculating descriptive statistics and performing regressions
Supporting the LEAP and NEMO user communities, for example by answering questions, processing license requests, recording instructional videos, and developing and refining training exercises
Stakeholder management and coordination, including written communications, scheduling meetings, preparing agendas, and facilitating meeting logistics
Developing content for internal and external presentations
Contributing to technical reports and other written outputs, for example by developing text and graphics, preparing references, and formatting
Assisting with training sessions for LEAP and NEMO
Supporting the administration of the Energy Modeling Program, including internal program meetings, program reporting, and record-keeping