Researcher(s)

CCSI is looking to hire one or two Researchers. Candidates must apply through this link.

The position will work closely with the Director and CCSI staff to advance the Center’s applied research agenda in Asia, with a focus on sustainable energy, development and climate finance, emerging-market investment, and systems transformation. 

The ideal candidate will have a strong applied research background and experience working across energy, economic, financial, and/or food systems. They will be able to analyze complex, interconnected challenges and translate research into actionable strategies, policy recommendations, and practical solutions.

 Key responsibilities will include:

• Lead and advance CCSI’s work in Asia, identifying opportunities for impact, shaping the regional research agenda, and developing relationships with key stakeholders.
• Conduct interdisciplinary research and analysis on sustainable energy finance, emerging-market investment, derisking, and other barriers to systems transformation.
• Develop actionable strategies and policy recommendations, including on regional initiatives such as ASEAN energy systems integration and mechanisms to reduce financing and policy barriers.
• Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, multilateral institutions, development banks, credit rating agencies, private-sector stakeholders, and other regional partners.
• Organize and facilitate bilateral meetings, working groups, workshops, consultations, and other stakeholder engagements.
• Manage and lead research and advisory projects, including defining research approaches, managing timelines, coordinating collaborators, and delivering high-quality outputs.
• Produce reports, roadmaps, policy briefs, and other materials for decision-makers and stakeholders.
• Contribute to capacity-building and knowledge sharing on development and climate finance, including tools and frameworks to strengthen the creditworthiness of emerging-market projects and sovereigns.
• Collaborate across CCSI to support cross-learning, coordination, and strategic synergies.

For more details, and to apply, see here. (Please note that the application page refers to this position as Senior Staff Associate I or Senior Staff Associate II).

Please do not apply to CCSI directly.

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 PDF 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 via this application link, unless otherwise specified.  

Application deadlines are as follows unless otherwise noted in the descriptions below (although applications will be considered on a rolling basis):

• Fall semester: September 18 (unless otherwise noted)
• Spring semester: January 15
• Summer: March 15

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).

Fall 2026 internship opportunities are currently available for the following (remote possible):

Paid Internship: Social Value Strategy in the Mining Sector

CCSI seeks a highly motivated graduate student to support a project focusing on long-term social value strategy in the mining sector. The intern will support important research on shared-use infrastructure, local skills development, circularity, nature-based solutions, and approaches to measuring social value beyond compliance norms.

This role will support comparative analysis of general practices in the mining sector and prepare memos and presentation materials for the final strategy deliverables. A minimum of 15-20 hours of work is expected per week, and preference will be given to candidates with strong writing and research skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work on tighter deadlines. Application deadline for this internship is October 6, 2026.

Visiting Scholars can include faculty and researchers from other academic institutions or professionals from industry, museums, or other entities who want to pursue their own independent research using University resources or facilities. Visiting Scholars must apply through Columbia Climate School’s Visiting Scholars Program. Applications for Visiting Scholars are reviewed twice during the year, corresponding with two program intakes, as follows:

• April 15 – for visitors starting between September 1^st and December 31^st
• September 15  – for visitors starting between January 1^st and August 31^st