Senior Associate – CFB – Global Cooling Transformation Team

Do you love solving challenging problems, thinking in numbers, and working in groups? Do you also have the self-motivation, curiosity, creativity, and ability to persuade others toward meaningful results? Do you have a passion for making the world a better place? If yes, then join our growing team!

Program & Project Overview:  

RMI is seeking exceptional candidates to fill a Senior Associate (mid-level research and collaboration position) within our Global Cooling Transformation team under RMI’s Carbon-Free Buildings Program. RMIers bring a variety of skillsets, and we welcome candidates with diverse educational and work backgrounds.

In the context of a warming planet, access to cooling in many parts of the world is increasingly viewed as a societal need supporting positive health outcomes, higher productivity, and accelerated economic development. However, in a world where over 3 billion people lack access to cooling, meeting this need comes at an environmental cost that we simply cannot afford – this was the dilemma that the Global Cooling Prize set out to solve. The Prize concluded in 2021 successfully demonstrating room air conditioner (RAC) technologies with 5X lower climate impact.

Through the work of the Prize, RMI built an enviable reputation for its expertise in the cooling space acting as an advisor and developing guides and handbooks for such organizations as The World Bank, UNEP, Global Covenant of Mayors, Mission Innovation, SE for ALL and the Climate Works Foundation.

RMI is now looking to establish a dedicated Global Cooling Transformation Team to take this work forward with an overarching goal of achieving market ubiquity for products aligned to the 5X principal within the current decade.

In terms of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions reductions, scaling ‘5X’ technologies could prevent over 68 gigatons (GT) of cumulative CO2e emissions by 2050.

Specifically, this individual will work as part of the Global Cooling Transformation Team on grants and contracts relevant to the overarching goal above currently envisioned to include

• Development and validation of performance metrics and associated test methods to inform next generation testing protocols.
• Ongoing prototype testing and product demonstrations to validate proposed performance metrics and methods as well as overseeing product demonstrations undertaken to inform large equipment buyers
• Securing broad based industry support to bring super-efficient next generation RACs to market
• Securing advance market commitments for super-efficient next generations cooling solutions
• Develop a “Buyer Intelligence Report” as a precursor for securing advance market commitments for these solutions in target markets
• Provide technical review services to the Cool Coalition under UNEP’s secretariat in support of COP positioning papers

as well as supporting any cooling specific work of RMI’s broader program focus as a knowledge resource, anticipated to include:  

• Carbon Free Buildings
• Urban Transformation
• Third Derivative
• RMI India
• RMI China
• US Program

Position Overview

As a Senior Associate, you are a creative problem solver who uses your quantitative, technical and analytical abilities to conduct compelling research and assessment. You will collaborate with team members to craft visionary yet practical solutions for our research questions and clients. 

Your key job responsibilities as a Senior Associate primarily include: 

• Structure and guide the work of more junior team members.
• Design and create approaches and quantitative models to effectively address key questions and challenges posed by our research goals and clients.
• Contribute publicly at conferences, share expertise in response to media requests, discuss our work with donors, and direct RMI research collaborations. 
• Provide quantitative analysis, modeling, and support to our projects.
• Locate and manage high quality data that sheds new light on problems and solutions.
• Create innovative problem-solving approaches to drive project insight.
• Synthesize recommendations into clear and compelling presentations and written reports.
• Present quantitative information in a clear, visual format.
• Engage with external experts via phone interviews, conferences, and on occasion, respond to outreach requests.

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate or graduate degree in an applicable field such as engineering (mechanical, electrical) and/or in sustainability, environment, energy-related discipline  
• At least 3 years of cumulative relevant work experience
• Ability to design, create, and run Excel-based models
• Ability to engage with technical material, and provide quantitative and qualitative assessment
• Strong problem-solving skills. Ability to stick with a problem through resolution but also knowing when to ask for help.
• Detail-oriented, organized, proactive and self-motivated.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree
• Experience with building science, building energy systems, design, engineering, or similar technical field.
• Background working directly with stakeholders from industry, finance, or other areas, especially relating to energy/emissions goals. 
• Prior experience in consulting, project management, or other related fields.
• Understanding of basic financial concepts, analyses, and metrics (e.g., debt, equity, cash flows, net present value, cost of capital)
• Ability to design, create and run complex models (e.g., Matlab, R, Python)
• Ability to listen actively, be diplomatic, and share knowledge and information well.
• Willingness to plunge into unfamiliar disciplines and take risks by exploring and testing new ideas.
• Experience working among diverse groups with varying perspectives and/or facilitating challenging conversations. 
• Demonstrated initiative and accomplishment in previous work. 

Location  

We are a remote-ready company 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.

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). Some roles may require more travel, which will be discussed during the hiring process.

Important Note: As a U.S. federal contractor, RMI must comply with requirements outlined 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 an 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. Typically, new Senior Associates join at the minimum to mid-salary range of $79,000-$93,000. You would also have an additional 5% bonus target!

Benefits 

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including: 

• Medical, dental, vision insurance 
• 403b retirement options (5% match immediately) 
• Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability 
• Professional and personal development (including LinkedIn Learning access) 
• Generous paid time off
• Parental leave 
• Commuter and wellness benefits 
• Casual work environment 

Diversity   

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. 

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. This ensures that we: 

• Have the different array of thinking that comes from diverse backgrounds and cultures, enabling us to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges. 
• Strive for a culture of inclusion and belonging by treating others with dignity, respect and appreciation enabling them to feel welcomed, supported and valued. 
• 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.