Senior Researcher

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

Climate Council is Australia’s own independent, evidence-based organisation on climate science, impacts and solutions. Powered by our incredible community, we advocate for solutions that rapidly drive down emissions, and shape the national conversation about the consequences of inaction.

Our vision is that by 2025 Australia’s emissions are on a steep downward trajectory with projects and policies in place to see us cut emissions by 75% by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2035. This represents a transformation in action and attitude from all levels of government, industry, business and community. This will fundamentally improve Australia’s contribution to the global climate challenge, while unlocking many national benefits from the new economy, and protecting Australian lives, our well-being and natural environment.

Our mission is to be a courageous catalyst propelling Australia towards bold, effective action to have emissions plummet during the 2020s and hit net zero by 2035.

Our values:

We are brave and bold

We are hopeful and solutions focused

We act with integrity and communicate honestly

About the team

Climate Council’s researchers and policy advocates are at the leading edge of climate solutions research, communications and advocacy in Australia. Collectively, the team covers a broad range of priority issues, including energy transformation, clean transport, major polluters, extreme weather, and international action. The team has unmatched reach into Australia’s media cycle, policy debates, and the public’s perception of climate change and its solutions.

About the role

The role of Senior Researcher offers an exciting opportunity for positive impact during the critical moment in Australia’s response to the climate crisis. Working alongside our expert Councillors and other fellow Researchers, you will be part of an energetic and high-impact team working to shape and accelerate climate action in Australia.

The Senior Researcher plays a leadership role in the development and delivery of Climate Council’s research agenda and organisational strategy on climate solutions, in particular for the energy sector. This includes undertaking cutting-edge research and preparing high-impact publications of importance to decision-makers.

The position will initially have particular responsibility for driving Climate Council’s Next Wave program, which is helping shape Climate Council’s future advocacy agenda by devising the next wave of policies and actions required to ensure Australia’s emissions plummet this decade.

Key Responsibilities

• The key responsibilities of the Senior Researcher include:
• Convene Climate Council’s Next Wave working group, including managing the research agenda, liaising with stakeholders, and ensuring successful delivery of the project.
• Develop and implement research activities to give effect to the Climate Council strategy and objectives.
• Produce accurate, high-quality, high-impact publications on an array of climate and energy topics. This includes managing technical and scientific reviews of reports with relevant external experts to ensure a high level of integrity is embedded in our reports.
• In collaboration with the Head of Advocacy, develop policy recommendations for decision-makers arising from research.
• Manage and coordinate reviews of relevant literature, summarising key themes and concepts, including identifying key risks and translating this research into factual engaging content for a general audience.
• Provide support to other teams in the organisation, including the Media, Advocacy and Community teams, to maintain the Climate Council’s well-earned reputation for providing frank, fearless, accessible, scientifically-robust climate and energy information to the general public.
• Stay up-to-date with relevant scientific, technical, policy and political developments.
• Represent the Climate Council publicly and to decision makers. This may include through the media.
• Work collaboratively, share knowledge, mentor and upskill other team members as needed.
• Contribute positively to the Climate Council culture and act in accordance with Climate Council values.

Reporting

The Senior Researcher reports to the Research Director and has no direct reports.

Experience and Skills

• A minimum of 6 or more years’ of demonstrated experience in research in climate and energy solutions, or similar
• Excellent skills in developing and delivering strategic research plans
• Track record of excellent project and/or program management
• Proven ability to establish and maintain strong working relationships with a wide variety of individuals and organisations
• Proven ability to work to tight deadlines
• Strong initiative and an ability to work autonomously
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to distil complex issues for a lay audience
• We are looking for people aligned to our values: are outcomes focused, team players, willing to take risks and act with integrity.
• We work in a fast-paced and flexible environment, and are looking for people who are adaptable and embrace change.

Qualifications

A Bachelor’s degree in Research, Climate Change and/or similar

Remuneration

This exciting and dynamic organisation is squarely in the public eye, giving those involved an unrivaled opportunity to contribute to the public discourse on climate change. With exposure to some of the leading minds tackling climate change, this role is a unique opportunity.

• Full time
• Permanent
• $90,000 FTE per annum + superannuation
• Melbourne, Sydney or Canberra location
• Hybrid working arrangement (60% offsite, 40% onsite from our Sydney / Melbourne /Canberra offices).

You will love working at the Climate Council

• You will be inspired by the work we do, the people you work with and the impact you will have on the world;
• You will feel valued for your contributions thanks to our culture of shoutouts and genuine peer recognition;
• You will feel connected to other staff, and cared for by a nurturing team and leader.
• We are a highly flexible workplace - both with time and places to work. Our hybrid working arrangement is 60% your preference, 40% team onsite from our Sydney / Melbourne offices.
• On top of the four weeks of annual leave, we offer an extra 5 Recharge Days per calendar year(pro-rata) that you can enjoy anytime to take care of yourself and do what feels good.
• We know that a lot can happen in life, and we provide the option to access paid personal leave in advance;
• We provide twelve weeks of paid parental leave to the primary carer (regardless of who is the birth parent).
• Most importantly, we are a family-friendly workplace as we understand and support the challenges of all working parents: needing to balance their careers with school runs, sick children, school holidays and all after school activities.
• You will learn new skills and approaches; thanks to field experiences, on-the-job learning and enriching projects, knowledge sharing sessions, formal training and career opportunities.
• Well-being is important to us, and we have constant conversations to balance priorities and life. Our Employee Assistance Program provides ongoing wellbeing education and support.

How to apply

You’re passionate about tackling climate change. You care about driving down Australia’s emissions and ramping up readily available solutions in all sectors of our society. If you don’t meet all the criteria here, but feel you have unique strengths to contribute to the team and the Climate Council, we are keen to hear from you - so email us, or please apply!

The Climate Council is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, personal appearance, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, genetic information, or political affiliation. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged to apply for all advertised positions.

To apply, please submit a resume and a cover letter of no more than 250 words explaining why we’re a great match.

If you have any questions regarding the position please email us at jobs@climatecouncil.org.au.