Research Trainee

Cerulogy is seeking to appoint a talented researcher to support its technical consulting work on issues relating to climate change, alternative fuels, renewable energy, and engineered carbon removals. Cerulogy is a small consultancy that works with clients including the European Commission, national governments, non-governmental organisations, and industry to support the development of effective climate change policy.

The researcher will be expected to support a variety of projects, primarily through desk-based research and data collation & processing using Microsoft Excel. (We keep wanting to do more in Python, but really you can do a lot in Excel. Honest.) In the initial contract period, subjects could potentially include engineered carbon removal pathways, biofuel policy, the impacts of climate on agriculture, indirect land-use change due to crop-based biofuels, and the electrification commitments made by vehicle manufacturers. The successful applicant may be asked to work to support other projects on an ad hoc basis.

Candidates will be expected to demonstrate strong numerical skills and an interest in environmental policy. Some experience of coding/use of programmatic approaches would be an advantage. While a demonstrated background in relevant work could be an advantage, the position should be understood as an opportunity to develop technical competencies and expertise relating to topical areas of environmental policy; the role could therefore be appropriate for bright candidates without extensive experience in environmental policy and analysis, but interested in getting into it. There will be continuous opportunity for on-the-job learning and training. Cerulogy is a small organisation and therefore cannot offer the type of structured training programme that might be on offer from a larger consultancy, but on the flipside you will be working directly with and learning from our lead consultants.

The successful applicant will join Cerulogy for an initial six month period. Extension of the position beyond this initial period will be subject to business requirements and performance – we hope that whatever happens after six months it will have been a valuable experience though. We would be happy to discuss a less-than-full-time commitment (minimum of three days, twenty-four working hours, per week).

Person specification

Required [there’s always potential for a little leeway but you need to pretty much meet these]:

• Good first degree in a technical/scientific discipline (e.g. physics, maths, chemistry, engineering, biology, computer science);
• Interest in environmental issues, especially climate change;
• Demonstrable aptitude for numerical work;
• Experience with Microsoft Excel or comparable spreadsheeting tools;
• Desire to find the most efficient ways of doing things;
• Self-motivated and able to work independently;
• Generally IT competent;
• Good critical thinking skills;
• Good conversational and written English;
• The right to work in the UK.

Desirable:

• Postgraduate degree (or undergraduate master’s degree) in a scientific or otherwise-relevant discipline);
• An aptitude for modelling (demonstrated through programming, spreadsheeting, or databasing experience);
• Good communication skills, the ability to interact confidently with partners at all career levels;
• Familiarity with environmental issues relating to agricultural and/or deforestation;
• Familiarity with transport decarbonisation options such as alternative liquid fuels, electric vehicles, and efficiency standards;
• Experience working in environmentally related consultancy, policy or advocacy;
• A sensible view on how to use AI as a research aid;
• “Power user” of Microsoft Office applications.

About Cerulogy

Cerulogy, the consultancy of Dr Chris Malins, provides technical and policy-relevant analysis on climate and energy issues. Dr Malins formed Cerulogy in 2016, and works with a wide range of clients in the NGO community, government, and industry, in both Europe and the USA (see ‘About us’ on the website for examples of clients and for team bios).

The successful applicant would become Cerulogy’s second additional researcher, alongside Dr Cato Sandford. Being a very small consultancy, career progression within Cerulogy cannot be guaranteed, but Cerulogy’s work is well respected in the community and a position with Cerulogy will provide an excellent platform for future career development.

The admin bit

The position offers a starting salary in the range £30,000 – £35,000 per annum (full‑time equivalent), subject to experience and qualifications.

The initial period of the position will be six months (subject to a one month probationary period). Extension of the position will be dependent on the business situation at that time and on performance. If we are able to extend the position you can expect salary progression following the trainee period to reflect the development of the employee's skills and responsibilities.

The position will require a mix of remote working and up to two days a week working out of Dr Malins’ home office near Elephant and Castle, London. If based outside of London applicants must be willing to travel for office days at their own expense. The hours are to be mutually agreed between Cerulogy and the successful candidate. Core working hours (when you will be expected to be available for calls, responding to emails, etc.) are 10:00‑17:00.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK, Cerulogy is not able to support visa applications. The successful applicant will be asked to use their own computer equipment (a tolerably modern computer with Microsoft Office installed) and have regular online contact.