We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Ecological Survey Intern to support ongoing fieldwork and data collection as part of a larger project on Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) and biodiversity monitoring in Bengaluru. The internship offers hands-on experience in biodiversity surveys, ecological sampling, and field data management in diverse urban and peri-urban habitats. A candidate based in Bengaluru would be preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in biodiversity field surveys across selected parks, lakes, wetlands, and urban forests.
• Support sampling of indicator taxa (e.g. birds, insects, amphibians, reptiles, and plants) using standardised ecological methods.
• Record and manage data using field datasheets and mobile apps (e.g. Survey123 and iNaturalist).
• Assist in species identification using field guides and reference materials.
• Contribute to data entry, cleaning, and metadata preparation in R/Excel/GIS.

Qualifications

Enrolled in or recently completed a master’s degree in ecology, environmental science, zoology, botany, geography, geoinformatics, or a related field.

Skill Set

• Demonstrated interest in biodiversity monitoring and conservation ecology.
• Prior fieldwork experience in bird, insect, or vegetation surveys (preferred).
• Familiarity with GPS devices, field guides, and mobile apps for ecological surveys.
• Basic knowledge of GIS (QGIS/ArcGIS) and data handling in Excel/R is desirable.

Duration

3 months

We are seeking a Senior Communication Officer to manage day-to-day communication efforts and translate complex research from the Energy and Power sector at CSTEP into clear, engaging, and impactful narratives. The role requires strong storytelling skills, a solid understanding of the policy ecosystem and think tank environment, and the ability to design and execute content and engagement strategies. Acting as a liaison between research and outreach teams (Communication and Policy Engagement), the candidate will ensure effective knowledge dissemination across platforms while contributing to institutional outputs and stakeholder engagement initiatives and events.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute creative engagement strategies aligned with the organisation’s and sector’s goals.
• Translate and repurpose technical research into audience-specific content (blogs, social media, website copy, and outreach materials).
• Build, maintain, and actively manage a stakeholder database, and design targeted communication initiatives to drive effective engagement.
• Track policy developments, events, and emerging ecosystem conversations, and leverage these to inform communication and support research visibility.
• Monitor and analyse digital performance metrics using insights to refine and strengthen communication strategies.
• Collaborate closely with editors, designers, and researchers to ensure consistency in messaging, tone, and visual identity across all outputs.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Policy, Environmental Studies, Climate Science, Urban Studies, or a related field
• Prior experience in journalism (preferably sustainability or solutions journalism), think tanks, policy organisations, or other knowledge-driven institutions

Skill Set

• Strong writing and storytelling skills with clarity, accuracy, and audience needs.
• Ability to manage multiple communication streams, coordinate across teams and functions, and operate effectively in a fast-paced research and public policy environment
• Comfortable working with scientific, environmental, and policy content.
• Ability to synthesise complex research, data, and policy insights into clear, accurate public-facing narratives, with strong attention to fact-checking.
• Experience in social media management, content optimisation (SEO), and digital publishing.
• Strong execution and organisational skills, including managing follow-ups, trackers, and workflow processes.
• A critical thinker with a proactive, learning-oriented mindset and the ability to collaborate effectively within teams.

We are looking for a dynamic and technically skilled professional to join our Energy Policy and Regulations team as a Senior Analyst and play a leading role in driving CSTEP's project on the solarisation of agricultural demand, working at the intersection of distribution-sector planning, renewable energy policy, including distributed renewable energy (DRE). The role involves shaping project strategy, conducting in-depth technical and financial analysis, engaging with a diverse set of stakeholders, and contributing to actionable policy recommendations that address the barriers to large-scale solarisation of the agriculture sector. This position offers a unique opportunity to influence India's energy transition by bringing together insights from DISCOM operations, regulatory frameworks, RE policies, and on-ground field realities.

Responsibilities

• Lead techno-economic and policy analysis on the solarisation of agricultural demand, including evaluation of deployment models (e.g. feeder-level solarisation, on-grid and off-grid pump solarisation, and KUSUM components) and their suitability across different state contexts.
• Develop and review financial models to assess project economics, including tariff design, Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE), subsidy structures, viability gap funding, and developer returns, to support evidence-based recommendations.
• Track and interpret the evolving RE policy and regulatory landscape at the central and state levels, including DISCOM regulations, agricultural power supply policies, and emerging schemes that influence solarisation pathways.
• Generate strategic insights from data analytics and present them through clear, decision-ready outputs for state and national stakeholders.
• Lead stakeholder mapping and engagement with state DISCOMs, State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs), state and central RE agencies (MNRE, SNAs), developers, industry experts, and farmer representatives.
• Coordinate with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Ministry of Power, and state-level departments to align project outputs with policy priorities and ongoing initiatives.
• Undertake field visits to validate ground realities, engage with farmers and developers, and capture implementation insights that inform research outputs.
• Bring forward innovative ideas and solutions to address persistent barriers in agricultural solarisation, spanning regulatory, financial, technical, and behavioural dimensions.
• Prepare and deliver policy briefs, technical reports, presentations, and journal articles to disseminate research findings to diverse audiences ranging from policymakers to farmer-level stakeholders.
• Support project leadership in planning, execution, and timely delivery of project milestones.
• Engage with project partners on technical workstreams and research methodology.
• Willingness to travel within India for stakeholder consultations, field visits, and project engagements as per project requirements. 

Qualifications

Bachelor's or master's degree in Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Energy & Power Systems, Energy Policy, Economics, Public Policy, or a relevant field.

Skill Set 

• Deep understanding of the agricultural power supply ecosystem in India, including tariff structures, subsidy mechanisms, supply hours, feeder segregation, and ongoing schemes such as PM-KUSUM.
• Proficiency in financial modelling and techno-economic assessment, including tariff design, LCOE computation, subsidy and incentive analysis, and project viability assessments.
• Strong data analytical skills, with proficiency in tools such as Excel (advanced), Python/R, and the ability to derive insights from large, multi-source datasets.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse audience—from senior policymakers and ministry officials to developers, industry experts, and farmers.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce high-quality policy briefs, technical reports, and presentations for senior audiences.
• Working knowledge of GIS tools (QGIS, ArcGIS) and IT/data platforms relevant to energy and distribution analytics is desirable.
• Prior experience interacting with state DISCOMs, SERCs, MNRE, or state RE agencies is desirable.