Research Associate I, eMobility

Job Summary

Job Location: Washington DC or Mexico

In this role, you will work especially on WRI’s current and planned electric bus workstream. You will serve two major roles: – 

1. Lead research: You will propose, lead, and organize research to expand WRI’s understanding of the barriers and enabling factors of electric buses.
2. Provide managerial support: You will provide project leadership, either directly or in a deputy role, and oversee project activities and guide junior staff.

In addition to work focused on electrifying buses, you will generally help the team advance their understanding of the associated technical, economic, political, and social factors associated with advancing eMobility. You will propose and lead various team development activities, such as authoring academic papers or blogs, and you will communicate research with other experts within WRI and externally. Additionally, you will broadly support the work of the eMobility team as needs arise. 

Job Responsibilities

Research and Knowledge

• Develop recognized expertise on the state of electric buses in regions around the world
• Assist the expansion of WRI’s research of the barriers and enabling factors for electric buses
• Conduct a variety of research endeavors to understand bus electrification in local contexts
• Author written and graphic content for publications, reports, papers, and presentations
• Review knowledge products written by external authors
• Lead and contribute to the development of briefs, reports, blogs, tools, and other knowledge products

Managerial

• Manage junior staff in both official and unofficial capacities
• Correspond with WRI Ross Center international offices to ensure project coordination

Administrative

• Create content for proposals and concept notes, including deliverables, timelines, and budgets
• Contribute to fundraising efforts
• Attend various external functions and events, as relevant, to serve as a representative of WRI’s eMobility team
• Help represent the eMobility team in WRI meetings
• Organize internal and external meetings, workshops, conferences, and other dissemination activities 

Job Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in transportation studies, urban/city planning, sustainable energy, or a related field (or a Bachelor’s degree with two years of additional relevant work experience)
• Minimum of three years of relevant, full-time work experience
• Previous experience and enthusiasm regarding eMobility, public transport, urban service finance, energy and climate modeling, urban transit technical and policy analysis, sustainability issues in developing countries, or other related topics
• Demonstrated ability to work well in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams, manage multiple priorities, and work under tight deadlines
• Experience leading and writing research papers for academic journals or major conferences and applying qualitative and/or quantitative analysis to research pieces
• Excellent research, editing, and oral communication skills
• Ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner
• Detail-oriented, organized, and independent thinker
• Fluent in English
• If applying for Washington, D.C. location, authorization to work in the United States

Desired Qualifications

• Direct experience with transit agencies, bus procurements, heavy-duty electric vehicles, or other closely related topics
• Proficiency in a second language 

How to Apply: Please submit a resume with cover letter. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

Potential Salary: $59,000 – $77,000. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

Program Overview

WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities seeks an eMobility Research Associate I to facilitate WRI’s growing eMobility team. Your work will include coordinating teams in multiple geographies, as well as supporting the overall program’s objective of helping transform how cities are built, managed, and used, to make them compact, connected, coordinated, and resilient.  

WRI Overview 

World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade in order to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. 

We are passionate. We value our diversity of interests, skills and backgrounds. We have a flexible work environment. And we share a common goal to catalyze change that will improve the lives of people. Our shared ideals are at the core of our approach. They include: integrity, innovation, urgency, independence and respect. 

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges, and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.  

We have been growing rapidly: our staff has doubled in size over the past 5 years and our operating budget is now $150 million. Founded in 1982, WRI has a global staff of 1,000+ people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.   

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices.