JOE Listings (Job Openings for Economists)

August 1, 2021 - January 31, 2022

Resources for the Future

This listing is inactive.
Entrepreneurial Research and Policy Engagement Leaders

JOE ID Number: 2021-02_111468095
Date Posted: 10/29/2021
Date Inactive: 01/31/2022
Position Title/Short Description
Title: Entrepreneurial Research and Policy Engagement Leaders
Section: Full-Time Nonacademic
Location: District of Columbia, District of Columbia, UNITED STATES
JEL Classifications:
Q5 -- Environmental Economics
Q4 -- Energy
R4 -- Transportation Economics
L9 -- Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities
Full Text of JOE Listing:

Resources for the Future is seeking experienced researchers and policy specialists ready for leadership who can design and implement team-based research and policy engagement activities. The ideal candidate will have the entrepreneurial drive to establish new areas of research with lasting impact on environmental decisions and policy. They will have the opportunity to draw on one of the world’s largest collections of experts in environmental and natural resource economics as well as an extensive range of partnerships with NGO, government, academic, and private sector institutions. RFF is the leader in smart environmental policy design and innovation with a reputation for rigorous, evidence-based policy analysis.

RFF’s mission is to improve environmental, energy, and natural resource decisions through impartial economic research and policy engagement. We are committed to being the most widely trusted source of research insights and policy solutions leading to a healthy environment and a thriving economy. We envision a future where climate change no longer threatens our well-being and where smart environmental decisions help to uplift communities around the world. Our experts bring the brightest thinking to bear on our future, while having shaped many of the world’s most successful environmental decisions and policies over the past 70 years. Our people are the key to our success. We hope you will join us.

We will consider individuals with proven track records of team-based research management and entrepreneurship, as well as experienced researchers with a strong motivation to develop the skills and experience needed to become such leaders. While RFF is principally focused on economic and policy research, individuals with advanced degrees in other fields are encouraged to apply if they have significant experience with economists as collaborators in research and policy engagement.

Our work broadly centers on the economics and design of smart strategies to reduce sectoral and economy-wide emissions of greenhouse gases, and policies that confront climate change risks and build resilience. Our work increasingly emphasizes issues related to equity, economic transition, and disaggregated climate and policy impacts, not solely aggregate outcomes.

Within the broad themes of smart emissions reduction and policies addressing climate change risks and resilience, RFF is particularly seeking leaders to build and expand upon research and policy engagement in the following areas:

Electricity – including impacts of decarbonization policies on emissions, technology and sector operations, resilience of power systems to climate shocks, and environmental justice considerations. Candidates for positions in this program area should have a deep understanding of the organization and function of US power systems; electricity system modeling, including engineering and economic considerations affecting capacity investments and utilization; and design of economic and environmental policies for the sector.

Transportation – including US federal and state policies affecting light and heavy-duty vehicles, zero carbon transportation technologies, low-carbon transport fuels, transportation services demand including modal choice, employment within the transport sector, and federal and international policies focused on aviation and sea-based transport. Expertise in transportation systems engineering, modeling of local and large-area transportation networks incorporating technical innovation, and design of transportation policy is especially desirable.

Industry and fuels – including US federal and state policies to reduce industrial, and oil and gas sector emissions, incentivize the development and deployment of relevant zero carbon technologies (e.g., hydrogen and carbon capture), promote environmental justice, and support industrial competitiveness during periods of transition. Candidates for positions in this program area should have a deep understanding of how industries may evolve in terms of emissions mitigation, including innovation and diffusion of new technology, and a capacity for capturing those evolutionary trends in models and expertise in design of sector policies for industries.

Comprehensive and International Climate Strategies – focused on comprehensive US federal and state GHG mitigation policies including carbon pricing, innovation policy, cost-effective portfolios of policies, employment impacts and opportunities, environmental and economic equity, and international actions and partnerships.

RFF is committed to being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. Achieving that goal is essential to achieving our mission—and it is simply the right thing to do, as described in RFF’s Vision for a Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Future. We especially encourage candidates with diverse backgrounds and life experiences to apply. Exceptional candidates with expertise in other areas related to RFF’s mission will also be considered.

Qualifications (appointment will be at the Fellow, Senior Fellow, Program or Initiative Director level, depending on experience):

• A PhD degree in economics or policy analysis, or an advanced degree in other areas (social sciences, natural sciences, law, or engineering) with a demonstrated capacity to collaborate with economists.
• Expertise with substantial knowledge related to the topics listed above, with a record of research publications and/or leading and managing teams producing research publications.
• Experience working within or closely with government agencies, and a network of governmental and non-governmental contacts related to the abovementioned sectors and policy issues.
• Demonstrated research leadership skills, including project and program management ability.
• Management or supervisory experience leading, coaching, and mentoring staff, with experience providing increased responsibilities over time.
• Fundraising experience with government, foundations, corporations, multilateral organizations, and/or individuals.
• Experience with strategic communications, including outreach to media and target audiences in the public, business, and nonprofit sectors.
• Outstanding oral and written communications skills.
• Demonstrated interest in, and capability to work as part of a team to develop and execute strategy on an organizational level.
• Experience in building and maintaining partnerships with organizations, universities, and/or multilateral institutions.
• Strong collaboration skills.


All applicants should use RFF’s on-line application process at www.rff.org/careers. The required items are a letter of application describing interest in the position focusing on the relevant area(s) noted above and a resume/curriculum vitae.

Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled. However, they should be received by November 28, 2021 in order to ensure full consideration.
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.

Should you experience any difficulty in applying online, or if you have other questions about the position, please email midcareerhiring@rff.org.

Application Requirements:
  • External Application Link
Application deadline: 11/28/2021