The role

Carbon Gap is the only environmental NGO in Europe dedicated solely to independent research and advocacy for carbon dioxide removal (CDR), with the largest number of CDR-focused policy professionals. Launched in 2021 at COP26, we have quickly established ourselves as a leading voice in the CDR policy advocacy arena, realised through the scientific research, synthesis, and analysis which underpin our policy positions.

Since launch, we have published a series of influential papers, our experts have been featured in the mainstream and climate media, and our Policy Directors have been selected as advisors to the policy making establishment. We are at the very start of a decades-long mission to help Europe realize its potential as a global carbon removal leader, and to deliver the CDR capacity necessary to meet Europe’s net zero commitment and global climate goals. Central to this mission is the ability to make sense of complex data in ways that are clear and convincing to policymakers, civil servants, and the climate-engaged public.

As a Data analyst, you will join Carbon Gap’s Research Team in building Carbon Gap’s expertise on the emerging field of carbon removal, while supporting the advocacy work needed to bridge the ambition gap on CDR. You’ll work daily with established and respected experts in the field with frequent exposure to other climate leaders across government, industry, and academia.

This is a rare opportunity for a data scientist or quantitative analyst who wants to apply their quantitative skills for real-world impact. The analyses you conduct will feed directly into our advocacy and education work, all in service of increasing European climate change mitigation efforts. Numbers speak volumes in the EU, and we need to turn up the volume when it comes to demanding more action on climate change and - in our particular focus area - carbon removal.

We are looking for an analyst who believes in the power of policy to enact climate action, is a self-possessed researcher able to spot opportunities for impact, is able to conceptualise, pitch and execute research projects independently, possesses excellent quantitative skills (e.g., Excel, and perhaps proficient in a programming language), and who has a willingness to experiment with new productivity technology. Most importantly, you will become an integral part of our small, pan-European Carbon Gap team. This would be a perfect role for a data analyst or data scientist in the early years of their career. We will help to get you a great grounding in the areas of climate, environment, and policy issues. Carbon Gap is a ripe platform for you to grow professionally, exposing you to research, policy, and business concepts and helping you build a wide network across the carbon removal and climate fields.

Responsibilities

As the first dedicated data analyst within our team, you will:

Take the lead in conceptualising and implementing the necessary tools and working practices to support your own work, and to allow other members of the team to assist you and collaborate with you
- Have the desire and ability to pose questions in data rather than using data to fit an existing conclusion
- Where relevant, embrace cutting-edge productivity tools and research strategies, including advances in machine learning and generative AI to enable you to work smarter, not harder
Dive deep into CDR-related research topics spanning climate science, policy, and economic markets. Be resourceful and relentless in sourcing the data you need from a mixture of academic, public, private, and self-generated sources. Areas you will need to delve into include:
- Established and nascent CDR methods (spanning “carbon farming” methods like peatland rewetting to novel approaches such as direct air capture, enhanced rock weathering, and long-term incorporation of carbon into the built environment), their efficiency, resource requirements, monitoring, reporting and verification methods, social, cultural, economic and environmental implications, and governance
- Existing policies in the EU, UK, and other jurisdictions
- Non-governmental initiatives establishing governance, standards, and certifications for carbon removal
- The commercial market for carbon removal, including technical developments in the field
- Role of CDR in broader climate action
Create clear outputs (reports, figures, posts) that tell compelling stories based on your research output, including summaries and internal briefings.
- Write, edit, and contribute to the creation of outward-facing reports, policy briefs, and white papers, as well as other pieces of content such as social media and blog posts. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with the members of our Communications team.
- Be prepared to interview stakeholders in the field to add depth to your reports and enhance your data sets
Be an active member of our mission and be always searching for new insights within the organization, and ways to add value to our policy asks including horizon scanning, and remaining curious about the challenges we face on our mission

Your profile

You have studied to graduate level, or in lieu of a graduate program can elaborate on how 3-4 years of experience in a research and analysis-heavy role has prepared you. Ideally you will have a portfolio of projects or publications.
You are familiar with the technical side of the climate problem (e.g., climate science, environmental economics, physical or human geography). Previous projects or publications related to climate change would be a plus.
You are creative, savvy, and have a clear ability to solve problems. You are happy to autonomously conduct quantitative analysis, identify pertinent research questions, design robust methodologies suited to the research question, source relevant datasets, clean and manipulate datasets to reach conclusions, and have an ability to interpret findings to highlight key insights and trends.
You obsess over Excel models, and hold a high degree of proficiency with data visualisation, modeling and statistical methods.
You are committed to climate action. You can demonstrate previous work and passion for any area of climate, environmental or sustainability communications and action. You don’t need to be an expert in carbon removal, but you do need to understand the broad aspects of science and ideally demonstrate knowledge of key areas such as handling units of conversion in your models.
You’re comfortable with new material. Diving into a new field, learning a new lexicon and core concepts, and digesting scientific papers doesn’t scare you. You want to become a master of new ideas and concepts.
You make complicated things simple. You have a knack for understanding big, complex issues and distilling them into what your audience needs to know, especially through writing or data visualization.
You obsess about the bigger picture. You’re not satisfied unless your work leads to tangible results, and always want to know how what you’re doing now serves the long-term goal.
You’re a relationship-builder at heart. You proactively make and maintain genuine connections, always looking for ways to help, and work well with diverse groups of people.

In your cover letter, short paragraphs on the following areas of emphasis would help us to assess your application better:

Your understanding of or experience with delivering analysis-informed insights to policymakers, in any region
Examples of published work or other peer reviewed publications – we’d love to see examples of your work. Feel free to share in whichever format you prefer.
Your approach to complex topics, your distillation methods, and show us how you would support your team in communicating clearly to policy makers, stakeholders and the wider public
Your level of English, and if English is a second language, be able to demonstrate you can achieve at least a C1 level

What we offer

A permanent full-time work contract (40h/week)
Competitive salary package, including benefits such as lunch vouchers, pension plan, medical plan and reimbursement of public transport
Dynamic and supportive team with amazing colleagues and regular team socials
Modern offices situated in the heart of the European Quarter of Brussels
Hybrid working approach blending in-person collaboration and remote flexibility
Opportunities for training and personal development

Carbon Gap is an equal opportunity employer. We are dedicated to broadening opportunities for groups that are underrepresented in the climate and carbon removal spaces, and to building an inclusive team where people of different backgrounds can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from people who do not see themselves represented in the current climate ecosystem, and if you feel able to do so, please mention this in your covering letter and we will guarantee you an interview.

You don't need to meet all the requirements to be considered and we know you might need to grow into the role. If you feel like this is the right role for you, please don’t hesitate to apply.

About us

Carbon Gap is a philanthropically-funded, expert non-profit established in 2021 to help Europe become a world leader in deploying carbon dioxide removal.

Please visit our website to learn more about our mission:

Carbon Gap Website

Carbon Gap

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Data analyst – Carbon Removal Ecosystem