Associate - Climate Aligned Industries

Do you love to solve challenging problems, thinking in numbers, and a passion for making the world better? Do you also have the self-motivation, curiosity, creativity, and ability to strive towards meaningful results for industrial decarbonization? If yes, then join our growing team! Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) is seeking Associates to support the Climate Aligned Industries program, specifically in the Hydrogen Initiative.

We highly encourage individuals of underrepresented groups to apply!

Program Overview

The Climate Aligned Industries (CAI) Program at RMI is focused on decarbonizing the harder to abate sectors, implementing market mechanisms and supporting policy implementation to limit global warming to 1.5 °C and achieve cost parity for decarbonization solutions. It currently brings together heavy industry sectors (aviation, cement, chemicals, steel and shipping) with our cross-cutting green hydrogen projects (The Green Hydrogen Catapult and Industrial Hubs).

The Hydrogen initiative’s mission is to shape green H2 (and its derivatives) markets and flagship projects by providing thought leadership, convening market leaders, and collaborating with key stakeholders and policy makers. Acting now is critical to meet our global climate targets. Scaling Giga-Watts requires a whole system approach that requires multi-stakeholder inclusion, catalyzing demand, building infrastructure, and the Green Hydrogen Catapult is helping to lead the way.

Position Overview

As an Associate, you are a creative problem solver who uses your analytical abilities to conduct compelling research and assessment to support green hydrogen for industrial sector climate action.

We look for aptitude at solving challenging problems, thinking in numbers, and working in groups. We expect self-motivation, curiosity, creativity, the ability to drive oneself and others toward meaningful results, and a passion for making the world better. RMI Associates are independent contributors and work closely with colleagues on projects under the direction of more senior staff. They work to develop expertise in the content area of their program within RMI and can provide support internal to RMI on that topic.

In The Day-to-day, This May Take The Form Of

• Helping coordinate the development of market infrastructure with other RMI teams’ efforts to influence other sectors and use cases.
• Looking at how target sectors are likely to spread across the globe and putting this into context of net-zero transition trajectories for the sectors, understanding the economic and emissions incentives in relation to scaling green industry , as well as supporting the team to prepare for conversation/ facilitation with stakeholders.
• Analytical research into the impact of trade and policy on green industry growth.
• Developing a theoretical framework for calculating the levelized impact of public funds on fuel/material costs in different markets.
• Helping situate and adapt RMI’s work in the context of existing and evolving standards and reporting, and that define “green” in specific applications.
• Supporting and summarizing stakeholder engagement with a broader community of organizations working on these topics.
• Collaborate with other programs within RMI (e.g., other sector teams in the Climate Aligned Industries, Climate Intelligence and US Policy programs) given the cross-cutting application of fuels/materials/systems.

You will also collaborate with other programs within RMI (Carbon Free Electricity and Regional Teams - US, China, India, Global South) given the cross-cutting application of hydrogen.

We are looking for multiple candidates to fill for the following thematic areas:

• Adjacent sectors such as Waste Methane, Chemicals, or Aviation
• Market mechanism design to support Sustainable Aviation Fuels and other decarbonization solutions
• Clean Hydrogen Hub Development
• International Trade & Global Policy
• Cement, Steel, Shipping, or Fertilizer

We invite candidates with a variety of skillsets, educational and work backgrounds!

Your Key Responsibilities As An Associate Include

• Design and create approaches and quantitative models (technoeconomic) to effectively address key questions and challenges posed by our research goals and clients.
• Create creative problem-solving approaches to drive project insight
• Engage with external experts via meetings, emails, interviews, and conference
• Locate and manage high quality data that sheds new light on problems and solutions.
• Synthesize recommendations into clear and compelling presentations and written reports.
• Present quantitative information in a clear, visual format.

Minimum Qualifications

• Understanding of basic financial analysis and metrics (e.g., NPV, cash flows).
• Ability to design, create, and run Excel-based models.
• Understanding of fundamentals of thermodynamics
• An undergraduate bachelor's degree in an applicable field such as engineering, environmental or physical sciences. An associate position requires a minimum of 2 years’ work experience (or equivalent timeframe inclusive of a post graduate degree in a related field).
• Familiarity with energy systems and basics of climate science

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with energy and commodity markets and/or industrial supply chains
• Prior experience with carbon or energy attribute certificate (i.e. REC) markets and associated procurement mechanisms
• Familiarity with emissions accounting and ESG reporting (i.e. SBTi disclosure)
• Experience working among diverse groups with varying perspectives and/or facilitating challenging conversations.
• Familiarity with general chemical processes and decarbonization challenges for heavy industry.

Location

We are a remote-ready organization with team members around the globe. Our beautiful and welcoming offices are available for meetings or focused work, whether you are traveling through or living nearby. Our U.S. offices are in New York City; Washington DC; Oakland, California; Boulder, Colorado; and Basalt, Colorado. This role can be located from anywhere in the continental United States, with a preference for Houston, Texas or Los Angeles, California

We provide you with the essential IT equipment plus a one-time home technology payment and a monthly work from home/commuter allowance to ensure you have a comfortable home office set up and necessary supplies.

We love seeing each other in person! We occasionally gather for shared time together like retreats and learning experiences. Be ready to travel for occasional in-person meetings (and of course, we cover travel costs). This role may be expected to travel for team events which occur approximately twice a year.

Important Note: As a U.S. federal contractor, RMI must comply with requirements outlined in Executive Order Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors. This Executive Order requires that all federal contractors and subcontractors mandate and verify that all U.S. based employees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are based in the U.S., you will be required to provide proof of full vaccination status as a condition of employment. You may request accommodation for medical or religious reasons. If you are based outside of the U.S., this requirement does not apply.

Compensation

RMI compensates based on the level and requirements of the role. Salary within our ranges may also be determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as required by the role, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. The salary range for this position is $70,000-$85,000. You would also have an additional 5% bonus target!

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package adjusted to regional norms, including (for U.S. employment):

• Generous paid time off
• Professional and personal development (including LinkedIn Learning access)
• Parental leave
• Work from home and commuter allowance
• Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability
• 403b retirement options (up to 5% match immediately)
• Medical, dental, vision insurance

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Increasing the diversity of thought, perspectives, ideas and opinions within RMI is a critical change element supporting our long-term sustainability and mission to build a clean, prosperous, and secure energy future.

This Ensures That We

We strive for a level of diversity that reflects the communities we serve. Achieving this—regardless of ability, race, ethnicity, ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, veteran status, socioeconomic class, educational attainment or other social identities—is critical to the success of each RMIer and collectively as an organization.

• Strive for a culture of inclusion and belonging by treating others with dignity, respect and appreciation enabling them to feel welcomed, supported and valued.
• Have the different array of thinking that comes from diverse backgrounds and cultures, enabling us to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges.
• Effectively connect, communicate and build long-lasting relationships with decision makers, stakeholders and constituents within diverse communities.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

About RMI

RMI is an independent nonprofit founded in 1982 that transforms global energy systems through market-driven solutions to align with a 1.5°C future and secure a clean, prosperous, zero-carbon future for all. We work in the world’s most critical geographies and engage businesses, policymakers, communities, and NGOs to identify and scale energy system interventions that will cut greenhouse gas emissions at least 50 percent by 2030. RMI has offices in Basalt and Boulder, Colorado; New York City; Oakland, California; Washington, D.C.; and Beijing.

RMI is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.