About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Scientific & QA.

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

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What You’ll Do

This entry-level Energy and Climate Researcher role supports consulting engagements across energy, climate, sustainability, resilience, and energy program work. Typical responsibilities include:

• Conduct qualitative and quantitative research on energy markets, programs, climate, resilience, sustainability, infrastructure, technologies, and policy from technical reports, academic literature, government sources, databases, and program records.
• Analyze large datasets using spreadsheets, databases, statistical tools, and programming languages to identify trends, evaluate outcomes, and support modeling, forecasting, greenhouse gas accounting, and climate risk or resilience assessments.
• Produce client-ready deliverables including reports, slide decks, briefings, data visualizations, and case studies that translate technical findings into clear recommendations.
• Support stakeholder engagement, technical assistance, outreach, and program implementation efforts in collaboration with project teams, clients, and partners.
• Assist with project coordination: prepare meeting materials, track tasks, document decisions, and maintain project records while contributing to process and tool improvements.

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Basic Qualifications

By the start date, candidates must have completed a bachelor’s degree in one of the following or a related field: environmental science, environmental studies, environmental policy, sustainability, engineering, earth and atmospheric sciences, economics, chemistry, mathematics, statistics, operations research, data analytics, public policy, computer science, cybersecurity, communications, or a similar discipline.

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Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated interest in energy, climate, sustainability, resilience, environmental, or economic topics.
• Experience with Python for data analysis, visualization, or modeling (NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib, Xarray preferred); familiarity with R and GIS is a plus.
• Hands-on research experience synthesizing technical, scientific, analytical, or policy materials and processing climate/energy/environmental datasets to produce insights.
• Proficiency in quantitative analysis and data visualization (including Microsoft Excel) for modeling and decision support.
• Familiarity with energy markets, energy economics, energy programs, clean energy technologies, greenhouse gas accounting, climate adaptation and resilience, and related policy and regulatory contexts.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, communication, and project-management skills; ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary teams and to learn new subject matter and tools quickly.
• Comfort leveraging AI tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT) to support research and productivity in accordance with the client’s candidate policies.

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Experience We Value

Candidates are encouraged to highlight any experience in:

• Energy and Climate: energy markets, economics, modeling, policy, regulation, climate science, risk assessment, resilience, sustainability, clean energy, and decarbonization.
• Technical & Analytical Skills: greenhouse gas inventories, emissions reduction analysis, life-cycle analysis, programming, data visualization, and GIS applications.
• Infrastructure & Program Delivery: energy program implementation, infrastructure resilience and security, and applying technical solutions to complex problems.
• Communication & Collaboration: client engagement, stakeholder outreach, translating technical concepts for diverse audiences, and multidisciplinary teamwork.
• Project Management: managing priorities and delivering quality work in a fast-paced consulting environment.

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Why You’ll Love Working Here

Work with subject-matter experts across energy, climate, sustainability, and public policy while contributing to meaningful projects for federal, state, local, utility, commercial, and nonprofit clients. This role offers strong opportunities to build consulting, analytical, research, and communication skills early in your career.

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Logistics & Employment Details

• Work arrangement: Hybrid — based in the Arlington, VA office (Crystal City) or Reston, VA headquarters. Minimum two days per week in the office.
• Start timing: Entry-level position intended for candidates with 0–1 years of experience who are available to start in Summer 2027.
• Employment type: Full-time.
• Work authorization: All candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. This role is not open to new H-1B visa sponsorship; candidates with existing valid authorization may be considered per client policy.
• Pay range (full-time): $60,967 — $103,643 per year. Final pay will reflect experience, skills, education, and applicable contract requirements for the role.

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Inclusive Hiring & Accommodations

Careertakes and our client are committed to an inclusive hiring process. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants who need them during recruitment or employment. Applicants requiring accommodations should notify the client as directed in the application materials or contact Careertakes for assistance.

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Notes on Candidate Use of AI Tools

The client maintains a candidate AI usage policy for interview integrity. Candidates should follow the client’s instructions regarding AI use during interviews; accommodations for assistive AI usage are handled on a case-by-case basis.

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Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.