We are seeking a Senior Associate with expertise in technical, analytical, and project implementation aspects of hard-to-abate industrial sectors and/or MSMEs, with a focus on reducing GHG and energy intensity. The role includes advancing circular economy solutions, clean fuel adoption, and the transition to renewable or electric-based thermal systems, along with performance analysis and techno-economic assessment of low-carbon pathways. The ideal candidate will have experience in modelling, research, and project execution, and will contribute to research, policy inputs, and stakeholder engagement while independently managing assignments, mentoring junior team members, and delivering high-quality outputs aligned with organisational goals.

Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to research on low-carbon and clean technology pathways for decarbonising energy-intensive and MSME-based industries in India.
• Conduct techno-economic and performance assessments of clean technology solutions for industrial processes in hard-to-abate sectors, including those under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS).
• Develop concept notes and methodologies for offset mechanisms within the Indian and global carbon markets, including innovative ideas under IDC.   
• Conduct detailed IN&OUT mapping of Industrial sectors (prepare the profile for product-mix, energy & emission, fuel mix, technology, stakeholders, contribution to country’s economy, including the country’s NDC commitment if any, Decarbonisation roadmap, etc.) for ODA¹ countries in Asia and Africa continents, through source-driven desk-based research.
• Lead and contribute to advanced research on near-, mid-, and long-term decarbonisation measures, such as CCUS/CCS, hydrogen, electrification, circular economy and recycling, and alternative fuels and feedstocks, across industrial sectors, including innovative financial models.
• Develop research reports, policy briefs, journal papers, and technical publications for reputed national and international platforms.
• Contribute to proposals, concept notes, and new project ideas aligned with emerging decarbonisation trends and national priorities.
• Engage with government agencies, industrial associations, research institutions, and industry stakeholders for data collection, validation, and dissemination of findings.
• Support capacity-building initiatives, training programmes, and technical workshops for sector stakeholders.
• Mentor team members in research methodologies, modelling approaches, and technical writing.
• Stay updated on global advancements in industrial process technologies and utilities, with a focus on green initiatives in hard-to-abate sectors and emerging applications.

(1 ODA [Official Development Assistant] Countries as defined and classified by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development [OECD] to promote economic development in developing nations]

Qualifications

Master’s degree or equivalent in chemical, petrochemical, or biochemical engineering; industrial chemistry; materials science; metallurgical, mechanical, or manufacturing engineering; or a related field.

Skills and Experience

• Strong academic and research background, with publications in reputed journals or conferences.
• 5–8 years of relevant experience in industrial decarbonisation across hard-to-abate sectors and/or MSMEs.
• Experience in mapping and techno-commercial assessment of low-carbon or clean technology pathways.
• Good understanding of industrial processes and associated energy and emission reduction measures.
• Knowledge of the Indian carbon market (CCTS) and/or global mechanisms (e.g. CDM, Gold Standard, Verra), as well as climate policies such as EU CBAM and NDCs.
• Familiarity with industrial energy and emission norms, compliance requirements, and sustainability reporting.
• Experience in developing high-quality research papers and technical reports.
• Exposure to stakeholder engagement, training delivery, or collaboration with government/academic institutions (preferred).
• Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to interpret complex datasets and generate insights.
• Proficiency in MS Excel and Tableau; knowledge of Python, R, or SAS is an advantage for developing economic models.
• Excellent technical writing, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Willingness to travel for fieldwork, stakeholder consultations, and project activities.

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.