Are you passionate about making a positive impact through market transformation and policy change? Would you like to use your skillset to help the U.S. industrial sector be globally competitive, cut costs, and reach net-zero carbon by 2050? Join our team! 

About ACEEE 

Since 1980, ACEEE has advanced practical, cost-effective solutions to use energy more efficiently. Our independent research and advocacy have shaped landmark federal and state policies, catalyzed clean technologies, and made energy efficiency the nation’s most productive energy resource. Efficiency today saves more energy each year than the U.S. consumes from any other single source—including coal, oil, or natural gas.

As electricity demand rises due to electric vehicles, data centers, and new manufacturing, energy efficiency is one of the most practical, affordable, and immediate tools to cut emissions, keep costs down, and make sure the clean energy transition benefits everyone, especially low-income and historically underserved communities. ACEEE’s vision is a clean energy future that secures a healthy planet and better lives for all. 

ACEEE’s organizational culture is collaborative and team-oriented with a strong commitment to our mission and an emphasis on results. We strive to help all staff develop professionally and to make ACEEE a flexible, fulfilling, and enjoyable place to work. ACEEE is dedicated to fostering a culture that values all individuals and ensures fairness while incorporating these principles into our research and policy work. 

About the Industry Program

ACEEE’s industry program delivers impactful research, market transformation, and advisory services to cut energy waste and emissions across the sector. The program’s work includes policy development at state and federal levels, education across the market, technical assistance to support policy development, identification of technological advances, and engagement with stakeholders. 

Our work often emphasizes how industrial energy efficiency and decarbonization impact communities, especially through job creation, community benefits, equity and environmental justice, and health. We are seeking nothing less than a transformation of industrial heat in the U.S.

The Opportunity

As Senior Researcher, you will be our point person for industrial heat efficiency and electrification. The position offers the potential to elevate you to national standing through engagement with state and federal policymakers, utilities, manufacturers, vendors, and other market players. You will lead and conduct research, analysis, policy development, and program design. You will have the support of a well-respected and widely recognized team of policy and industry experts in a dynamic organization. The role includes collaboration with other research programs, as well as the policy teams working at the federal, state, utility, and local levels. 

ACEEE’s industrial policy work encompasses industrial heat, embodied carbon, and the chemicals sector. Through cross-sector collaboration, you will uncover opportunities to impact industrial decarbonization, cultivate new connections across the economy, and build momentum for industrial transformation. 

General Responsibilities

• Leads, publishes, communicates, and contributes to research and analysis on industrial heat efficiency and electrification.
• Develops thought leadership on industrial market transformation.
• Works with the team to identify, monitor, and describe technology advances and policy windows to advance the market at the corporate, state, and federal levels.
• Engages in outreach to states for industrial programs and rulemaking efforts.
• Promotes, coordinates, and contributes to convenings and collaborations of utilities, industrial companies, NGOs and other partners to help advance energy efficiency and carbon reductions.
• Develops and follows project workplans and meets milestones within budgeted hours.
• Interacts with funders and develops new funding sources. Contributes to proposal development.

Job Requirements 

Required:

• Strong interest in industrial decarbonization and/or industrial policy. 
• Bachelor’s degree with at least 7 years of work experience, or Master’s degree with at least 5 years of experience. 
• Coursework in engineering, physical science, economics, and/or environmental science.
• Significant interest or experience in talking in detail with industrial managers, engineers, and vendors about technologies.
• Significant interest or experience in engaging with federal or state agencies and/or policymakers. 
• Strong writing skills and the ability to translate technical concepts into language that engages policymakers. 
• Track record of performance and reliability. 
• Authorship of multiple peer-reviewed reports, including at least one as lead author.   

Strongly preferred:

• Experience with, or sound knowledge of, electrification strategies, energy efficiency, and/or emissions reductions in the industrial sector. 
• Onsite experience with industrial plants, although this is not necessary. 

Preferred start date: August 2026, or as soon as a suitable candidate is found.

Location: Flexible. This position can be fully remote or based in ACEEE’s Washington DC office, on a hybrid basis with two days a week in office. 

Salary: $77,467 to $96,834, commensurate with experience. ACEEE’s generous benefits package includes health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance coverage; a 403(b) retirement plan; transportation and bike share benefits (if located in the DC-Maryland-Virginia area); 3 weeks of vacation in the first year and 4 weeks thereafter, 11 federal holidays and office-wide closure for the week between Christmas to New Year’s. This is a full-time, exempt position.

To apply: Send cover letter, resume, and brief (1-2 pages) writing sample to the link below to apply through the Paylocity Recruitment portal. Please explain in your cover letter how your writing sample relates to the position. We do not accept phone calls or emails about the position. 

https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/4349483/American-Council-for-an-Energy-Efficient-Economy/Senior-Research-Associate 

Please let us know how you heard of this opening.

ACEEE is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination with regard to race, sex, color, age, religion, creed, class, sexual orientation, national origin, and disability. ACEEE is committed to increasing diversity and inclusion in its organization and encourages applicants with diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds to apply.