Research Specialist, Industrials Program, Centre for Energy and Materials

The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation, committed to improving the state of the world. We engage the foremost leaders of society to shape global, regional, and industry agendas.

The Forum’s Centre for Energy and Materials (CENMAT) serves as the multi-stakeholder platform that enables building new leadership coalitions and delivering cutting-edge insights required for a sustainable, secure, and equitable energy future. The Centre engages leaders from the public and private sectors to deliver new insights and collaborations at the global, regional, and national levels. Through our programs and activities, CENMAT creates impact and value for constituents in business, government, and civil society

CENMAT’s Industrials Program supports the transformation of industrial ecosystems to drive economic growth, employment and reduce CO2e emissions through the Transitioning Industrial Clusters (TIC) initiative.

Why we are Recruiting

To enhance the Centre’s impact and foresight capabilities, the Forum is hiring an Industrials Program Research Specialist.  The successful candidate will conduct research, project management and administrative tasks contributing to CENMAT’s Industrials program, and to other CENMAT activities as relevant.

Reporting Lines, Interactions and location

The Specialist reports to the Manager, Transforming Industrials Ecosystems. 

The successful candidate will also build productive relationships with colleagues from across the Forum’s Centre for Energy and Materials and other parts of the institution.

Main responsibilities:

• Support CENMAT Industrials Program foresight products. Work with internal teams and partners to integrate the TIC initiative Annual Report and Net Zero Industry Tracker into a consolidated flagship report on Industrial Transformation, strengthening the Forum’s thought leadership in this space.

• Support the CENMAT Transitioning Industrial Clusters (TIC) initiative. CENMAT mobilises action through initiatives on key industrials issues important for our partners. The TIC initiative aims to improve collaboration and develop a shared vision among co-located companies and public institutions with the goals of. The Specialist will support analysis, project community dialogue sessions and other events and interactions with partners involved. The successful candidate will also support coordination across the Forum, presentations and knowledge products related to this initiative.  

• Support Industrials Programme team operations and events. The Specialist will take on specific tasks related to smooth operation and delivery of the Industrials Program activities such as minutes from program team meetings and coordinate program input to wider CENMAT or Forum processes as needed. The Centre for Energy and Materials organize sessions at World Economic Forum global events. The Specialist will lead or contribute to preparation of sessions at such events when linked to the Industrials Program. 

Preferred requirements and experience

• Bachelor, or masters’ degree in energy, engineering, materials, decarbonization, technology innovation, business management or similar fields.    

• 3+ years of experience post-Bachelor, or 2+ years with master’s degree, in the private or public sector, including experience/expertise in energy which is a must. Business experience is desired.   

• Strong proficiency of Microsoft Excel.

• Good proficiency in using data visualization and reporting tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, Google Data Studio) to create clear, interactive dashboards and communicate insights effectively across digital platforms. Familiarity with web-based presentation and embedding visual content and AI in tools, websites, and social media, is a plus.

• Understanding of energy transition is a must, with a proficiency in energy data and/or energy systems analysis.

• Experience working in diverse and international work environments is desired, ideally in relevant fields of energy, materials, energy-economics, energy or climate policy.

• Hands-on experience in project management is desired, research and/or supporting or developing initiatives and communities. 

• A doer with the ability to problem solve and move things forward while collaborating with a positive attitude.  

• Experience and comfort with stakeholder interactions and working on matters involving knowledge management, administrative and coordination support.

• Excellent communications skills, including creation of visually compelling presentations and materials. Excellent verbal and written language skills in English; proficiency in other languages is an asset.

Why work at the Forum:

The Forum believes that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to improve the state of the world by building awareness and cooperation, shaping mindsets and agendas, and driving collective action. Join us and become a driver for positive change!