Associate Research Scholar/Staff Associate Positions, Climate Law and Finance:
CCSI is recruiting two researchers to support related projects on Law and finance.
- Financing the Energy Transition: CCSI is hiring a researcher to support the research and design of financing pathways for the energy transition. This project will work alongside the UN-convened Council of Engineers for the Energy Transition (CEET), which is engaging with regional partners (including regional development banks, finance ministers, international organizations, and other experts) to identify and develop projects related to energy efficiency, clean energy access and expansion, industrial decarbonization, and alternative transportation solutions. In collaboration with CCSI’s Director and research team, the incumbent will lead in conducting research, analysis, and stakeholder engagement to develop financing strategies and roadmaps tailored to support these energy transition projects. Successful candidates will have a strong finance-related background and a good understanding of financing mechanisms for large-scale projects.
- Climate Law and Finance Initiative: CCSI and the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law are recruiting a researcher to support a new initiative on climate law and finance. The incumbent will work collaboratively with CCSI's and the Sabin Center’s Leadership and Research Staff to analyze the interrelated legal, finance, and policy pathways critical to achieving global climate goals and facilitating the energy transition, and the corresponding implications for public, private, and institutional financial sector actors, regulators, and alliances. Successful candidates will have a good understanding of how financing and investment can play a role in addressing climate change and the critical importance of appropriate systems, laws, policies and practices to achieve climate goals and facilitate the energy transition.
Successful candidates will demonstrate a willingness to learn new areas and to work in a highly interdisciplinary, flexible, and dynamic environment with a network of partners.
Applicants with a JD (or equivalent legal degree) or PhD degree should apply here. Applicants without a JD/PhD should apply here. Please do not apply directly to CCSI's email account. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
The official posting more closely mirrors the second position above. In your cover letter, please indicate which of the two position(s) you are applying for, and how you learned of this opportunity.
This position is based at Columbia University in New York. Full-time remote work is not possible.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Salary Range: $75,000 - $104,000 a year
Pay Transparency Disclosure: The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Senior Legal Researcher (Associate Research Scholar)
CCSI is seeking a Senior Legal Researcher (Associate Research Scholar) to help carry forward the Center’s diverse research agenda. This position will collaborate with CCSI’s Directors and Research Staff to execute the Center’s applied research agenda on the laws, policies, and practices that shape international investment and its alignment with sustainable development and human rights. Specifically, the incumbent will supervise and contribute to ongoing advisory, research, and technical support projects with the goal of advancing more responsible and rights-respecting laws, policies and practices in land and resource investments (e.g. agriculture, renewable energy and mining projects) at the local, national and international level. The ideal candidate will also be able to lead or contribute to work related the Center’s other primary focus areas, including investment law and policy, natural resource governance, the energy transition, or SDG-aligned finance.
The position will contribute to ongoing projects, including through project and advisory work, desk research and informant interviews, organizing and facilitating events and trainings, establishing and maintaining strong relationships with collaborators, and helping to develop materials for publications, among other possible activities. It requires a high degree of initiative and independent judgment.
More details on the position can be found here.
Instructions for applying can be found here. Please note in your cover letter where you heard about this job opportunity.
This position is based at Columbia University in New York. Full-time remote work is not possible.
(Please do not apply directly to CCSI's email account).
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Salary Range: $89,000 - $104,000 a year
Pay Transparency Disclosure: The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Consultant: Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Mining and Materials for Sustainable Development Transformations
CCSI is seeking a consultant to assist in the design and preparation of a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Mining and Materials for Sustainable Development Transformations. The consultant will work with CCSI research staff to design course structure and key messaging, identify and liaise with MOOC faculty, work with experts and faculty to develop scripts, and provide overall logistical coordination for the project. Successful candidates will have deep expertise relevant to the mining sector and transformations required for the energy transition, as well as prior experience in curriculum development and preparing and recording virtual training materials. The work will be completed over a 3-month period (90 days) from April 1, 2023-June 30, 2023.
For interested candidates, please send your proposal with your daily rate and proposed fee to Paulo Cunha at: [email protected]
We offer a limited number of unpaid and paid research and administrative internships for undergraduate and graduate students (including graduate students in law, business, international affairs, and environmental studies) during the fall, spring and summer. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, and writing sample all together in a single file, in that order. The cover letter should include a distinct list of which internships you are applying for (you may include as many as you’d like). Please submit materials to Nancy Siporin ([email protected]), unless otherwise specified.
Application deadlines are as follows unless otherwise noted (although applications will be considered on a rolling basis):
- Fall semester: September 15
- Spring semester: January 15
- Summer: March 1 (unless otherwise indicated)
Candidates must currently be enrolled in a degree program, have astute research, analytical and writing skills, and enjoy working on a team. Students enrolled at other academic institutions may apply for all positions, but only students currently enrolled at Columbia University are eligible to receive payment if selected for a paid position. Candidates must commit to at least 10-15 hours per week for Spring or Fall internships unless otherwise indicated, but more hours are possible. Summer internships are full-time (35-40 hours per week) unless otherwise noted. Continuation into subsequent semesters is possible, and course or academic internship credit can be granted in limited cases.
If you are applying for a paid internship, please indicate if you are work-study eligible (preferred but not required).
Internship opportunities available for Spring and Summer 2023 (remote possible):
Paid internship: Working on Greenhouse Gas / Carbon Accounting Methods for the Coalition on Materials Emissions Transparency (COMET)
CCSI is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented SIPA, CBS, or Engineering school graduate student with strong knowledge and experience in greenhouse gas (GHG) / carbon accounting to support research and writing for the COMET initiative. A partnership between CCSI and various other institutions as members and funders, COMET is seeking to harmonize GHG / carbon accounting methods across the material sector and their value chains. The candidate must have demonstrated analytical skills as well as knowledge and experience in GHG / carbon accounting. Preference will be given to candidates with strong research and writing skills, and with experience or demonstrated interest in issues relating to climate policy and extractive industries.
Paid internship: French Language Tutor (work study)
CCSI seeks a part-time French-speaking JD, LL.M, SIPA or other graduate student to offer French language tutoring to CCSI research staff-members on a weekly basis. The intern will provide French conversation and language tutoring to one or more CCSI research team members implementing our technical support collaborations with civil society or government on topics such as land rights, Indigenous peoples’ rights, community development agreements, and investment approval processes in Francophone countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (among others). Preference will be given to candidates with work study funding and with prior French-second language tutoring experience and strong organizational skills. Knowledge or experience of issues relating to responsible land-based investment, land rights, government policymaking related to investments, and/or community rights in the context of resource investments is desirable. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Start date flexible: Summer/Fall
Paid internship: Responsible and Rights-Respecting Land Investments
CCSI seeks a JD, LLM, or other graduate student to support the Center’s research and advisory work on responsible and rights-respecting land-based investments. The internship will involve working closely with staff on priority projects requiring research, analysis, partner liaison, writing, and finalizing reports. These projects may include contributing to our technical support collaborations with civil society or government on topics such as land rights, Indigenous peoples’ rights, community development agreements, and investment approval processes. Preference will be given to candidates with strong research and writing skills, attention to detail, and organizational skills. Knowledge or experience of issues relating to responsible land-based investment, land rights, government policymaking related to investments, and/or community rights in the context of resource investments (particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia) is desirable. French-speaking skills are a plus, though not required for the position.
Paid internship: Operations Assistant (work study)
CCSI is seeking an undergraduate or graduate work-study student to assist with a variety of substantive operational tasks. The work-study position primarily will entail helping with business and administrative tasks related to the operational functioning of the center, with an opportunity to specialize in one of several areas including business operations, editing, communications, events, or workstream support. Preference will be given to responsible, detail-oriented undergraduate or graduate students. Those with long-term availability are preferred. To apply for this Operations Assistant position, please send a cover letter and resume to CCSI’s Director of Operations, Paulo Cunha. ([email protected]).
What CCSI offers: Through the internship experience, interns can expect to make substantive contributions to research and/or administrative activities at CCSI. The internship experience is a mutually beneficial one, and provides interns with opportunities for professional growth and learning. CCSI develops specific terms of reference for every intern each semester, with clear tasks and timelines.
What CCSI looks for: Ideal candidates should be detailed-oriented, well-organized and responsive, and prioritize and carry out tasks with minimal supervision. Candidates should also have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Our interns have included both undergraduate and graduate students from Columbia College, Columbia Law School, the School of International and Public Affairs, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and Columbia Business School. We also occasionally accept Interns from outside the university.
Our range of Fellows include Visiting Scholars, Fellows and Senior Fellows. Visiting Scholars can include international scholars, professors, judges, practitioners, and government officials, as well as doctoral students at the start of their scholarly careers. Visiting Scholars must apply through Columbia Law School’s Visiting Scholars Program. Applications for Visiting Scholars are reviewed three times during the year, corresponding with three program intakes, as follows:
- Fall semester: applications due no later than April 1.
- Spring semester: applications due no later than September 1.
- Summer semester: applications due no later than March 1.
Fellows and Senior Fellows are CCSI advisors who provide programmatic and operational advice and support to the Center. For more information, please contact us at [email protected].