Research Director - Climate

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Public Citizen’s Climate Program works to hasten the transition away from dirty, polluting energy to clean, renewable energy in ways that advance racial, economic, and intergenerational justice. Our main areas of focus at present are redirecting finance and insurance from dirty energy toward equitable deployment of clean energy, pushing for a faster transition to 100% zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs) with clean supply chains, and advocating for criminal accountability for fossil fuel companies.

We seek a research director to conceive, initiate, and manage investigative research projects; build and query databases; write time-sensitive reports and other materials in support of our public education and advocacy campaigns.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conceptualize and develop strategic research agendas in priority areas, in consultation with the Climate Program director and other colleagues. Investigate policy issues, markets, corporations, individuals, political fundraising, lobbying, and trade associations by using traditional investigative methods such as database searches, FOIA requests, and interviews.
• Conceive and produce written materials in collaboration with team members, including reports, editorial board memos, op-eds, social media content, and blog posts.
• Clearly articulate investigative findings and our policy positions in media interviews and podcasts. Prepare in-depth presentations and present findings to congressional staff, the press, our staff, and the public.
• Maintain familiarity with relevant policy issues, debates, and proposals.
• Develop and maintain relationships with academic, government, and other researchers.
• Edit written materials by others within the Climate Program; plan and help execute strategic communications efforts.
• Garner exclusive and other coverage of new research in top-tier media outlets.
• Collaborate with groups and coalitions engaged in this work.
• Above all, work proactively and resourcefully to accomplish programmatic goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Competitive salary and benefit package. Below is a list of some of our benefits (please note that some benefits have eligibility requirements).

Salary range : $105,789 to $129,080 based on experience and qualifications, with annual increases in October.

This is a grant-contingent position.

TO APPLY

Submit a single document that includes a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to climateaction@citizen.org. Please include your last name and the position for which you are applying in the subject line of your email and filename of your attachment. Women, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ+, and multilingual speakers are encouraged to apply. No phone calls please.

Deadline : September 27, 2025.

Public Citizen is an equal opportunity employer. Visit our website at www.citizen.org / .

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