Senior Researcher

Location: Bucharest, on site, with possibility for hybrid

Type: 12 months fixed-term contract, with possibility of extension

Salary: €2,900 to €3,900 gross salary

Annual leave: 23 days

Availability: as soon as possible

About EPG

EPG is an independent, non-profit think tank focused on energy and climate policy in Romania and the European Union. Founded in 2014, EPG operates as a policy research institute primarily financed through competitive grants, philanthropic organisations and, to a limited extent, private sector projects. EPG aims to promote an evidence-based dialogue on how to balance decarbonisation, economic competitiveness and social fairness, engaging decision-makers, industry, and the public. 

The role: key responsibilities

We are seeking a Senior Researcher to lead the development of nation-wide energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions scenarios, supporting evidence-based policy analysis and long-term strategic planning. The role sits at the intersection of quantitative modelling, data analytics, and policy research, and requires close collaboration across internal teams.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Develop, calibrate, and run national-level energy and GHG emissions scenarios under different policy and technology assumptions.
• Work closely with the Data Analytics department to identify, collect, clean, and validate input data for modelling.
• Operate and further develop energy system models; prior experience with LEAP or other similar modelling tools is a strong advantage.
• Collaborate with sectoral experts across departments (e.g. power, buildings, transport, industry, agriculture) to ensure accurate representation of sector-specific dynamics.
• Validate modelling assumptions and results through internal peer review and cross-departmental consultations.
• Interpret modelling outputs and translate results into clear policy insights and actionable recommendations.
• Contribute to research outputs such as reports, policy briefs, and presentations for decision-makers and stakeholders.

Benefits

• Independence and impact. EPG is funded through competitive grants and philanthropic organisations; we do not accept money that requires predetermined conclusions. Your research serves policy impact, not client interests.
• Policy relevance and real-world impact. Your scenarios will directly inform national energy and climate policies, including NECPs, long-term strategies, and decarbonisation pathways. You will have the opportunity to engage with ministries, regulators, and other public stakeholders, presenting how modelling results can translate into concrete policy measures.
• Ownership and recognition. You will publish under your own name and play a leading role in shaping analytical outputs. Senior researchers at EPG are recognised as subject-matter experts and contribute visibly to high-profile reports, policy briefs, and stakeholder discussions.
• Core expertise in system-level modelling. You will focus on economy-wide energy and GHG emissions modelling, working across all major sectors. This system-level perspective places you at the centre of EPG’s analytical work and offers a rare opportunity to shape integrated, national-scale scenarios rather than isolated sectoral studies.
• Collaborative, interdisciplinary environment. You will work closely with data analysts and sectoral researchers, combining quantitative modelling with deep sectoral knowledge. This collaboration strengthens the robustness of scenarios and ensures their relevance for policy design.
• Due to our small, grant-funded think tank structure, candidates must accept specific conditions:
• Flexible task allocation. Team members contribute beyond their core research role. You may be involved in proposal development, peer review of publications, stakeholder events, and internal knowledge sharing.
• Limited administrative support. Researchers do some of their own coordination and logistics.
• Funding uncertainty. Grant-based funding means some uncertainty about the future project portfolio.
• You must be willing to stay in or relocate to Bucharest and maintain a regular office presence (hybrid working).

What makes you a good fit for us

This role is suitable for a professional who values building recognised expertise in national-level energy and emissions modelling and contributing directly to evidence-based climate and energy policy.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in research, academia, think tanks, consultancy, or non-profit organisations in energy, climate, or related analytical fields.
• A Master’s degree or PhD in a relevant discipline, such as engineering, economics, environmental sciences, or other disciplines with a strong quantitative analysis component.
• Demonstrated experience with quantitative analysis and modelling of energy systems and/or GHG emissions; prior experience with LEAP (Low Emissions Analysis Platform) or other similar modelling software is a major advantage.

Skills and abilities:

• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with the ability to work with complex datasets and modelling tools.
• Ability to interpret modelling results and translate them into clear policy insights and recommendations.
• Professional writing skills for technical reports, policy papers, and research publications.
• Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Project management and time-management skills, with the ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Excellent command of English (C1 or native); working knowledge of Romanian is a strong asset.

Additional requirements:

• Patience and perseverance, essential for iterative modelling work and long-term scenario development.
• Strong interest in and solid understanding of energy systems, GHG emissions, and climate policy at national and EU level.
• Clear understanding that working in a small, grant-funded organisation implies flexible task allocation beyond the core research role.

Please send us

• CV, maximum 2 pages.
• Cover letter, maximum 1 page, highlighting your experience with scenarios building and modelling
• List of personal publications, maximum 1 page.