Job Opportunities

The Center for Global Sustainability (CGS, cgs.umd.edu) at the University of Maryland is looking for research assistant(s) with excellent research, coordination, and communication skills. The mission of CGS is, through our research and policy engagement, to change the way that governments, diverse organizations, and people around the world envision and implement new possibilities for ambitious climate action. Our team has significant and diverse experience in both delivering field-leading research and informing, supporting, and implementing policy in national and international contexts. 

These will be paid hourly positions up to 40 hours/week over the fall. The research assistants will work with CGS and our collaborators, as appropriate, to apply robust and innovative research approaches to understanding national climate ambition, energy transition, climate finance, nonCO2 mitigation, and other topics at the center of climate policy and sustainability debates. 

Specific projects may include but are not limited to the following:

• Near- and long-term low carbon development strategies of key countries
• All-of-society climate mitigation strategies in the United States
• Accelerated fossil transition pathways in key countries, potentially including but not limited to subnational strategies
• Co-benefits of climate change mitigation, such as air quality and human health, economic development, and other national priorities
• Scenarios for analyzing climate and transition risks to the economy and financial system
• Decarbonization strategies for industry, transportation, and other sectors
• Methane and other non-CO2 reduction strategies at national or subnational levels
• Agricultural and other land-related mitigation options

Specific tasks may include the following:

• Conduct background research and analysis of climate, energy, environment, and sustainable development policies
• Collect, analyze and visualize data
• Contribute to writing reports and potential research papers
• Support research communications, data visualization, and content creation for all of CGS’s digital mediums

Specific required skills are:

• Knowledge in climate, energy, and sustainability issues and policies
• Excellent English language proficiency required, particularly written
• Dedication and strong ability to learn quickly
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a team environment
• Background in quantitative analysis, data collection and management

Specific preferred skills include:

• Coding skills in R, Python and/or STATA
• Geospatial analysis and/or econometric skills
• Ability to read and interpret legislation

INTERESTED IN JOINING THE 2024 FALL PROGRAM? APPLY NOW! Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled. The priority deadline for the Fall is August 9, 2024. 

Position Summary/Purpose of Position:

The Assistant Director for Finance (ADF) at the Center for Global Sustainability (CGS), in the University of Maryland (UMD) School of Public Policy (SPP), will be responsible for overseeing CGS finance functions. The ADF will manage the implementation of all sponsored research administration, financial and accounting functions of the CGS portfolio. The ADF will manage pre-award and post-award activities and compliance of all CGS grants, prepare and submit required sponsor financial reports, and will be the finance POC for sponsor grants team and subaward collaborators. The ADF will also handle the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) joint appointments and work closely with the PNNL business office to monitor PNNL agreements and appointments. The ADF will oversee all accounts, generate regular project financial reports, and work closely with the research director and research leads to ensure research progress is inline with project budgets. The ADF will also direct all financial processes for CGS, including all procurement tasks (purchase orders (POs) and payments) and travel activities. In addition, the ADF will monitor the financial strength of CGS and produce executive summaries to support the CGS leadership team’s decision making and to be used for internal and external presentations. The ADF will report to the CGS director.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: 
  • Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, or related field.
• Experience:
  • Minimum 7 years experience in finance/accounting and/or sponsored research administration.
  • Two (2) or more years of direct supervisory experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Sponsored Research Administration, Compliance, Accounting and Finance.

The salary range for this position is $104,000-$120,000. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The best consideration date is November 4, 2024. If interested, apply here.

Position Summary/Purpose of Position:

The Human Capital and Operations Manager (HCOM) at the Center for Global Sustainability in the University of Maryland (UMD) School of Public Policy (SPP), will be responsible for CGS all aspects of payroll and daily administrative activities. The HCOM will manage the entire human capital management cycle for both academic and staff appointments from manage position, job requisitions, hire and onboarding, I-9, compensation, termination, and change job. CGS employees are comprised of almost 50% foreign nationals requiring visa applications and extensions. The HCOM will also oversee all facilities and space for CGS as well as IT equipment and general daily operations for CGS.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience:

• Five (5) years of professional human resources or operations experience.

The salary range for this position is $68,240-$85,300. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The best consideration date is November 4, 2024. If interested, apply here.

The Research Assistant will work with CGS and our collaborators to develop and apply robust and innovative research approaches to better understand pathways to reach challenging and ambitious climate and sustainability goals at international, national, and/or sub-national levels. Such research approaches may include integrated quantitative analysis and modeling, empirical methods, qualitative and mixed methods, or other approaches to understanding energy systems, land use, non-CO2 climate forcers, and other topics at the center of climate policy and sustainability debates.

Primary duties and tasks of this position may include:

• Conduct background research and analysis of climate, energy, environment, and sustainable development policies.
• Conduct background research on energy technology trends.
• Collect and synthesize data for use in quantitative, integrated modeling.
• Process, analyze, and visualize data.
• Modify and run an integrated assessment model (GCAM) to produce different policy and technology scenarios.
• Process and downscale model outputs to needed resolution.
• Contribute to developing reports and research papers.
• Support policy engagements with key local, national, and international stakeholders.
• Use a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods to address key research questions.

Education:

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited college or university.

Preferences:

• Excellent English language proficiency.
• Degree in Public Policy, Engineering, Economics, or related field, with knowledge in climate, energy and sustainability issues.
• Background in quantitative analysis, data collection and management.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Coding skills in R and/or Python.
• Dedication and strong ability to learn quickly.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a team environment.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. If interested, apply here.