Location: Fully remote, with at least four hours overlap with CST

Contract type: Full time, 1-year FTC

Salary: $80-$90K

Deadline for applications: August 5

Reports to: Director of Research

About us

The Polluter Pays Project (PPP) is a new international initiative working to ensure that oil and gas companies—not the public—cover the full costs of closure and cleanup of oil and gas assets.

We promote responsible energy development, decommissioning, and environmental restoration, while protecting the public, workers, and ecosystems. We work with a global network of researchers, advocates, lawyers, and campaigners to expose the true scale of the problem, support reform efforts, and ensure that polluters are held accountable.

The Role

PPP is seeking a strategic, creative, collaborative research analyst that is comfortable with quantitative and technical subjects. The role will produce research for Redwater Insights (RI), PPP’s research arm. This role is responsible for assisting in building industry-leading research insights with the Director of Research while leading delivery of short form content and insights by the team. Collectively, this work aims to shape the public narrative around oil and gas cleanup liabilities and build global pressure for accountability and reform.

The successful candidate will be comfortable with research and writing and capable of creating pointed short-form content on deadlines. They will be ready to work with numbers and technical subjects, and able to collaborate and coordinate with the research and communications functions of the group. While the role is focused on creating content for the Redwater Insights brand, the primary purpose of this role is to drive real world impact through building and supporting an ecosystem of partners working on decommissioning around the world.

They will be joining a small, ambitious, and highly collaborative team where contributions are noted and valued, working to bring visibility and urgency to one of the most neglected issues in global energy transition finance.

Key Responsibilities

Research and Writing

• Assist in doing preliminary research and shaping policy, economic and financial analytical pieces that can drive new thinking and change minds on the issue of asset retirement obligations.

• Undertake research into the legal, regulatory, economic and financial implications of asset retirement obligations for oil and gas firms and translate that research into policy recommendations for government, investors and other stakeholders.

• Draft research reports and analytical pieces to a high standard.

• Review news feed and other sources for content ideas; work closely with the strategic comms lead to calendar key moments annually where specialized content is warranted.

Lead and manage the team’s short form content creation

• Build a pipeline of short form research insights (i.e., 500 word pieces) that are drawn from Redwater’s longer form research, are extensions of its research, or are focused on commentary and insight on related news and events.

• Write weekly content published on the Redwater Insights page and/ or a substack and ensure that content is posted on relevant social media channels.

• Oversee the calendar associated with content publication and present to the wider research team on the same in weekly meetings; coordinate with other RI authors on their content.

• Ensure that content from the whole team meets RI’s editorial standards.

• Work collaboratively with the research team to deliver written insights.

Communications Assistance

• In conjunction and with assistance from PPP’s strategic comms lead, evaluate audience response to published content and respond to queries and comments as needed.

• Assist in producing content for media packages for promoting research outputs.

• Assist in producing content outlining RI research pipeline for fundraising and other operational communications.

About You

We’re looking for someone who has comfort conducting research into the energy sector, and translating complex findings into analysis. They should have the ability to identify what is particularly significant about an event or insight and be able to succinctly convey this significance to a time-poor audience. The successful candidate will have comfort with numbers, critical thinking, and enjoy writing short, impactful insights. They will have the ability to craft compelling narratives – and help others do the same – and a track record of effective communication that drives impact.

The winning applicant will be excited to work in a dynamic, start-up environment and have demonstrated excellent project management skills and an ability to work independently and to meet deadlines consistently.

Essential experience and qualities

• At least 3 years of experience related to research and writing on topics related to energy finance and economics, financial regulation, or policy.

• A track record of publishing content regularly, and on deadline

• Ability to develop clear, effective messaging around complex policy, financial, or technical topics for a range of audiences

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with an understanding of how to work in and leverage a wide variety of communications channels and formats

• Experience working in global, multicultural environments, and in coalitions or multi-stakeholder networks

• Strong project management skills

• Impact focused with a collaborative mindset

• Self-directed and able to adapt to a fluid, start-up environment

Desirable experience

• Experience working specifically on climate change, energy, or finance issues

How to Apply

Please submit the following materials to christina@polluterpaysproject.org by August 5.

• A current CV or résumé

• A cover letter describing your interest in the role and relevant experience

Please include “Research Analyst – [Your Name]” in the subject line.