Location- Chennai

About the Role

We are seeking a highly qualified Research and Development Specialist with a PhD and 3–5 years of relevant professional experience in energy transition, sustainability, policy research, and techno-economic analysis. The successful candidate will have experience engaging with, or collaborating with, leading national and international research and policy organisations, and will be able to mentor peers through exposure to interdisciplinary research, evidence-based policy engagement, and high- quality project delivery.

The role requires demonstrated capacity for independent project and grant management, stakeholder consultation, and the preparation of competitive funding applications and research proposals. The candidate should possess strong qualitative and quantitative research capabilities, excellent analytical judgement, and clear written and verbal communication skills. This position is intended for an experienced professional able to build on ongoing work in energy transition research, policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and project coordination. The Specialist will contribute independently to the development and delivery of future research initiatives, funding opportunities, knowledge products and dissemination activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to interdisciplinary research on energy transition, sustainability, climate policy, and techno-economic analysis.
• Design and implement qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research, including data collection, analysis, interpretation, and synthesis of findings.
• Independently manage research projects, including work planning, budgets, timelines, risk management, deliverables, reporting, and coordination with internal and external partners.
• Develop high-quality research proposals, concept notes, grant applications, technical reports, policy briefs, academic publications, and other knowledge products.
• Support fundraising and business-development efforts by identifying relevant funding opportunities and contributing to competitive proposals.
• Engage with government agencies, industry, civil-society organisations, academic institutions, and development partners through consultations, workshops, interviews, and collaborative research activities.
• Translate research findings into practical, evidence-based recommendations for policy, programme design, and institutional decision-making.
• Build and maintain relationships with national and international research and policy organisations, including potential collaborators.
• Mentor junior researchers and peers in research design, analytical methods, project delivery, proposal development, and policy communication.
• Represent the organisation at stakeholder meetings, conferences, expert consultations, and dissemination events, as appropriate.
• Contribute to organisational knowledge management, quality assurance, research strategy, and the development of new thematic areas of work.