Researcher

Researcher at Cerulogy

Note: Applications must be received by 8pm, Sunday 7th April to be guaranteed consideration.
Later applications may be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

The position

Cerulogy is seeking to appoint a talented researcher to support its technical consulting work
on issues relating to climate change, alternative fuels and renewable energy. Cerulogy is a
small consultancy that works with clients including the European Commission, national
governments, non-governmental organisations, and industry to support the development of
effective climate change policy.

The main initial role for the researcher will be to support projects involving analysis of the
broad environmental impact of biofuel and bioenergy mandates. This will require desk-based
research and data-collation, and data processing using Microsoft Excel. It will be an advantage
for candidates to have some understanding of the ecological and biodiversity impacts of
conventional agriculture, and some familiarity with existing European and/or international
policy for biodiversity protection.

The successful applicant will be asked to support other projects on an ad hoc basis. Examples
of Cerulogy’s current and recent work include supporting the International Council on Clean
Transportation’s Global Automaker Rating, ranking car manufacturers on their readiness for the
transition to electric vehicles; Low Carbon Fuel Standard modelling for the Union of Concerned
Scientists, developing compliance scenarios for clean transport policy in the U.S.; and working
with the European Commission on the EU’s Carbon Removal Certification Framework, contributing
to the development of EU certification methodologies for net carbon removals.

Candidates will be expected to demonstrate strong numerical skills and an interest in
environmental policy. While a demonstrated background in relevant work will be an advantage,
the position should be understood as an opportunity to develop technical competencies and
expertise relating to topical areas of environmental policy; the role could therefore be
appropriate for bright candidates without extensive experience in the field. There will be
ample opportunity for on-the-job training to develop technical competences and subject matter
expertise.

The successful applicant will join Cerulogy for an initial six month period. Extension of this
initial period will be subject to performance and business requirements. We envision this as
full time position but would be happy to discuss a reduced commitment (minimum of three days
per week).

Person specification

The successful candidate will be highly intelligent with strong academic credentials and
excellent numerical skills. An aptitude for modelling or data analysis work would be an
advantage (this may be demonstrated through programming, spreadsheeting and/or databasing
experience). The successful candidate will be personally committed to the mitigation of climate
change with an interest in effective environmental policy.

Required [there’s always a little leeway for an impressive candidate but you need to pretty
much meet these]:

• Good first degree in a technical/scientific discipline (e.g. physics, maths, chemistry,
  engineering, biology, computer science);
• Demonstrable interest in environmental issues, especially climate change;
• Demonstrable aptitude for numerical work;
• Some experience with Microsoft Excel or comparable spreadsheeting tools;
• Keen desire to find the most efficient ways of doing things;
• Self-motivated and able to work independently;
• Generally IT competent;
• Good critical thinking skills;
• Good conversational and written English.

Desirable:

• Post-graduate degree (or undergraduate master’s degree in a relevant and/or scientific
  discipline);
• Good communication skills, the ability to interact confidently with partners at all career
  levels;
• Familiarity with issues relating to biodiversity and biodiversity protection;
• Familiarity with issues relating to land use change and deforestation;
• Familiarity with agricultural issues and policy;
• Familiarity with transport decarbonisation options such as electric vehicles, efficiency
  standards and biofuels;
• Experience working in environmentally related consultancy, policy or advocacy;
• “Power user” of Microsoft Office applications.

Application requirements

Applicants should submit a CV and covering letter to [email protected]. Please take a moment to make
your covering letter relevant to the position advertised, applications that are clearly generic
covering letters with a couple of details changed are liable to be discounted. Similarly,
please do not simply parrot the person specification back at me in a list, this is a job
opportunity not a game of bingo!

About Cerulogy

Cerulogy is the consultancy of Dr Chris Malins. The successful applicant would become
Cerulogy’s second additional researcher. Dr Malins formed Cerulogy in 2016, and has since
expanded to work with a wide range of clients in the NGO community, government and industry, in
both Europe and the U.S. (past and current clients include the International Council on Clean
Transportation, the European Commission, the Danish Energy Agency, Lanzatech, Transport and
Environment, Eni, the Union of Concerned Scientists, Birdlife Europe, Oxfam, EWABA, the
National Wildlife Federation, UPM, Rainforest Foundation Norway, and the Natural Resources
Defence Council).

Cerulogy provides thoughtful technical analysis. Dr Malins is recognised globally as an expert
on alternative fuel regulation, lifecycle analysis and indirect land use change. Before forming
Cerulogy he spent six years leading the fuels team of International Council on Clean
Transportation, and prior to that two years in communications at the UK Renewable Fuels Agency.
He holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics from Sheffield University. Being a very small
consultancy, career progression within Cerulogy cannot be guaranteed, but Cerulogy’s work is
well respected in the community and a position with Cerulogy should provide an excellent
platform for future career development.

The admin bit

The position will offer a salary in the range £28,000 – £40,000 per annum, subject to
experience and qualifications etc. The position is for three to five days a week by agreement,
with the successful candidate expected to be flexible to do some additional work where required
by deadlines (this should be the exception not the rule, you’re not applying to be a junior
doctor). Applicants must have the right to work in the UK, Cerulogy is not able to support visa
applications. The initial period of the position will be six months. Extension of the position
will be dependent on the business situation at that time.

The position will require a mix of remote working and working out of Dr Malins’ home office
near Elephant and Castle, London. The successful applicant will be asked to provide their own
computer equipment (i.e. a tolerably modern computer with Microsoft Office installed).