Policy Analyst, Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability

Duke Careers • Durham, NC

4h

About The Position

Duke University: Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.  Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As the Policy Analyst, you’ll join the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability (NIEES)—a university-wide institute that advances actionable, interdisciplinary research to inform climate solutions, environmental policy, and equitable energy transitions. NIEES serves as a hub where faculty, researchers, students, and global partners collaborate to generate policy-relevant insights that shape decision-making at multiple levels. In this role, you will contribute to initiatives supporting coal-dependent economies, strengthening energy resilience, and promoting just, community-centered transitions across the Global South.

Be Bold.

What You’ll Do:
- Conduct policy, institutional, and political-economy research on coal asset repurposing, just transition strategies, and energy transformation across diverse international contexts.
- Analyze policy and political-economy issues related to critical mineral mining and processing in Global South countries.
- Review and synthesize academic literature, policy documents, regulatory frameworks, and techno-economic analyses.
- Support development of reports, briefs, memos, and guidelines for policymakers, state-owned enterprises, and international partners.
- Assist in designing step-by-step policy and planning frameworks for coal asset repurposing that integrate socio-economic and community considerations.
- Support stakeholder engagement, including workshops, consultations, and convenings with policymakers, utilities, communities, and researchers.
- Prepare background materials, synthesis notes, and workshop summaries.
- Communicate research findings through written products, presentations, and internal briefings.

What You’ll Bring:
Education & Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in public policy, environmental studies, energy studies, economics, international development, or a related field.
- Preferred: 2–4 years of experience in research or policy/data analysis related to just energy transitions, including familiarity with Global South energy systems, state-owned enterprises, or transition challenges.
Skills & Experience
- Knowledge of energy policy, climate policy, just transition models, or electricity sector governance.
- Strong research and analytical skills with the ability to translate complex information into clear, actionable insights.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills suited for academic, policy, and international audiences.
- Experience working in multidisciplinary or cross-cultural research environments.
- Strong organizational and project-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced research environment.
- Experience engaging policymakers, utilities, civil society organizations, or international partners.
- Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
Choose Duke.

At Duke, you’re not just joining a world‑renowned university — you’re stepping into a community that turns ideas into impact. Here, your work doesn’t sit on a shelf. It informs real policy decisions, shapes global conversations on energy and climate, and contributes to solutions that matter for communities today and for generations to come.
The Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability is where collaboration thrives and bold thinking is encouraged. You’ll work alongside researchers, students, and partners from around the world who are passionate about building a more just, sustainable, and resilient future. Duke offers the resources of a top-tier research institution, the support of a mission‑driven team, and the freedom to pursue innovative, interdisciplinary work that drives meaningful change.
If you’re looking for a place where purpose meets possibility — you’ll find it here.
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Ready to Make a Difference?

Apply now and help us build a stronger, smarter, and more connected future. Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchangeof ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve of this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values. Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $51,510.00 to USD $96,900.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family- friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/ Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at DukeUniversity and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Requirements

• Knowledge of energy policy, climate policy, just transition models, or electricity sector governance.
• Strong research and analytical skills with the ability to translate complex information into clear, actionable insights.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills suited for academic, policy, and international audiences.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary or cross-cultural research environments.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced research environment.
• Experience engaging policymakers, utilities, civil society organizations, or international partners.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Nice To Haves

• 2–4 years of experience in research or policy/data analysis related to just energy transitions, including familiarity with Global South energy systems, state-owned enterprises, or transition challenges.

Responsibilities

• Conduct policy, institutional, and political-economy research on coal asset repurposing, just transition strategies, and energy transformation across diverse international contexts.
• Analyze policy and political-economy issues related to critical mineral mining and processing in Global South countries.
• Review and synthesize academic literature, policy documents, regulatory frameworks, and techno-economic analyses.
• Support development of reports, briefs, memos, and guidelines for policymakers, state-owned enterprises, and international partners.
• Assist in designing step-by-step policy and planning frameworks for coal asset repurposing that integrate socio-economic and community considerations.
• Support stakeholder engagement, including workshops, consultations, and convenings with policymakers, utilities, communities, and researchers.
• Prepare background materials, synthesis notes, and workshop summaries.
• Communicate research findings through written products, presentations, and internal briefings.

Benefits

• Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs
• generous retirement benefits
• a wide array of family- friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members.

What This Job Offers

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