Resources for the Future

Position Title/Short Description

Full Text of JOE Listing:

Title: Fellow and Senior Fellow

Resources for the Future (RFF) invites applications, from mid-career and senior researchers, to join our research program. RFF’s mission is to improve environmental, energy, and natural resource decisions through impartial economic research and policy engagement (see www.rff.org). Our commitment is to be the most widely trusted source of research insights and policy solutions leading to a healthy environment and a thriving economy.

Our research fellows are central to achieving that goal. Through intellectual leadership in research and deep familiarity with important policy challenges, RFF seeks to have impact in three major ways:

1. Transforming the way decisionmakers and the public think about problems, delivering facts, providing new ideas, and expanding the solution set;

2. Quantifying issues decisionmakers care about, enabling them to understand impacts, identify opportunities, weigh competing options, and resolve tradeoffs; and

3. Bringing decisionmakers and stakeholders together to learn from one another, take advantage of RFF research insights, develop a shared understanding of issues, and find common ground.

All RFF Fellows are expected to conduct high-quality, publishable research; develop and lead new research projects; and actively participate in communication of research results and other forms of policy engagement. Successful mid-career and senior candidates should be recognized experts in the research community and thought leaders skilled in direct engagement with decisionmakers and impact-oriented communications. They also should have a demonstrated record of attracting funding for research.

RFF’s current research and engagement activities focus on (1) the economics of sectoral and economy-wide strategies for reducing GHG and other air emissions; and (2) measurement of the economic impacts of climate change and other environmental effects, and development of strategies for reflecting these risks in adaptation decisions and resilience planning. Within these broad themes, specific areas of current activity include:
• Developing and evaluating carbon pricing, tradeable performance standards, and other approaches to reduce emissions from the electric power, transport, industrial (including fuel production), building, forestry, agricultural, and other sectors.
• Measuring climate change impacts on settlements and infrastructure, human health, food and water systems, species, and ecosystems, and developing approaches for reflecting these risks in public and private decisions.
• Analyzing the transition to new energy sources and technologies in the power sector, as well as the implications of transitions in power market organization and regulation.
• Addressing land use challenges, including “monetizing” the value of recreational areas to provide revenue to improve care for protected lands, and managing wildfire risks.

Candidates must have strong applied microeconomic foundations as well as relevant topical knowledge in one or more of the fields listed above. Technical expertise in general equilibrium analysis, computational simulation modeling, large-data analytics and econometrics, spatial econometrics, or use of geospatial data also is an advantage.

RFF offers a competitive salary and benefits and a stimulating work environment. Start dates could be any time from soon after interview to September 2020.

All applicants should use RFF’s on-line application process at www.rff.org/careers
In addition to a completed application we require the following items:
1) A letter detailing interest in the position
2) Current resume/curriculum vitae.

All materials should be submitted by November 30, 2020.
Initial interviews will be scheduled in accordance with this year’s ASSA COVID job market guidelines.

RFF is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. People are RFF’s greatest asset, and we prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. We value the unique contributions of each member of our community and foster an environment that empowers everyone at RFF to thrive. Applicants of all kinds, who represent diversity that includes but is not limited to age, race, ethnicity, national origin, color, socioeconomic status, gender, physical ability, cognitive diversity, religion, sexual orientation, political affiliation, and personal background, are encouraged to apply. We are unable to sponsor a work-related visa for this position.

Should you experience any difficulty in completing the online application, please email hr@rff.org.