Research Head – India Energy program Full Time

WRI India, an independent charity legally registered as the India Resources Trust, provides objective information and practical proposals to foster environmentally sound and socially equitable development. Through research, analysis, and recommendations, WRI India puts ideas into action to build transformative solutions to protect the earth, promote livelihoods, and enhance human well-being. Know more: https://wri-india.org/ .

Program Overview For Energy

Our Energy Program seeks to inform and catalyse India’s equitable transition to low-carbon energy pathways by driving the shift to renewable sources, improving the efficiency of energy solutions, ensuring reliable and affordable energy access, and reducing the negative externalities of energy transition pathways on energy minerals. We also bring a keen impetus to the central role of finance, equity, governance, and circularity in ensuring an inclusive, fair, and equitable energy transition in India. We undertake research, ground-level implementation, stakeholder engagement partnerships, and effective communication across four key pillars of work: Clean Energy Demand, Clean Energy Supply, Energy Minerals and Circularity, and Energy for Equitable Development.

Our mission is to foster environmentally sound and socially equitable development, supporting India’s climate and developmental goals. We collaborate closely with governments, utilities, industry, financiers, civil society and communities to advance an inclusive and scalable energy transition across India.

Job Highlight

WRI India is seeking a Research Head to lead strategic research for the Energy Program. This role bridges oversight and intellectual contribution. The Research Head will shape the program’s research agenda, drive methodological excellence, and undertake flagship studies to deepen India-specific insight into the energy transition. They will guide the program’s research agenda, strengthen methodological and analytical capacities, and personally contribute to select flagship studies that address India’s most pressing energy-transition challenges.

What You Will Do

• Research Strategy and Oversight (50%)
• Develop and operationalise a coherent research strategy aligned with WRI India’s Energy Program and with global frameworks.
• Embed robust, context-specific evidence across program design, proposals and publications.
• Oversee peer-review and quality assurance processes for all knowledge products in the programme.
• Establish and nurture research partnerships with Indian and international universities, think-tanks and technical institutions.
• Serve as a senior advisor across all pillars, cross-cutting themes and priority states of the India Energy Program – Clean Energy Supply, Decarbonised Energy Consumption, Energy for Equitable Development, Energy Minerals and Circularity, Finance, Policy, Equity, Governance.
• Research Quality, Mentorship and Contribution (30%)
• Mentor and guide researchers and analysts across thematic pillars, cross-cuts and states, building analytical rigour and methodological depth.
• Lead or co-author select high-impact research projects that bolster WRI India’s thought leadership.
• Lead internal communities of practice and research fora, fostering peer learning, methodological exchange and cross-program collaboration on evidence generation.
• Identify and address capacity gaps in quantitative, qualitative, mixed-method, policy, techno-economic and interdisciplinary research, among others.
• Institutionalise strong research practices including data management, ethical review, documentation and transparency.
• Dissemination and External Engagement (20%)
• Shape and elevate WRI India’s research identity in the energy-transition domain.
• Represent WRI India at academic, policy and industry forums; engage decision-makers with actionable research insights.
• Collaborate with communications and engagement teams to translate technical evidence into accessible narratives for policymakers, regulators and practitioners.

What You Will Need

• Education: PhD in Energy studies or a closely related discipline (mandatory).
• Experience: Minimum 12–15 years of relevant experience in energy research, analysis or related fields; including at least five years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications or equivalent applied research that has influenced energy policy or practice.
• Proven ability to design and lead multidisciplinary research studies on topics such as clean energy transitions, renewable energy systems, energy access, industrial decarbonisation or energy finance.
• Strong proficiency in quantitative and mixed-method research approaches, and ability to translate complex analysis into policy-relevant insights. Familiarity with statistics and data analysis is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal English; proficiency in Hindi or another Indian language is desirable.
• Ability to thrive in a mission-driven research environment with a strong commitment to WRI India’s values.

Salary and Benefits: INR 35,00,000 to 46,50,000 CTC

Salary shall be commensurate with experience and skills. WRI India offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package.

Duration: 2 years (extendable based on performance and project requirements)

Location: New Delhi/Bangalore/Mumbai

Start Date: At the earliest

List Of Documents To Be Attached

• Resume

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) @WRI India

WRI India values and promotes diversity, equity and inclusion across all areas of our work and workforce. Integrating these values into our actions fosters a progressive and collaborative culture and can also enhance our impact. It is our responsibility to create a welcoming working environment for people of diverse cultures, backgrounds and experience to learn together. We are responsible for fostering a safe and inclusive workplace where questions, concerns and information about diversity, equity and inclusion are part of our ongoing dialogue and development.

Learn more about WRI India’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Click Here

People-centric To The Core

We keep our people at the center of everything we do – from a welcoming work environment to benefits and a culture that encourages staff to stay healthy, happy, engaged, and growing.

Some Of The Non-monetary Benefits That Our Staff Get

Health benefits: We cover health insurance for you and your loved ones for up to INR 8 lakhs

Term Insurance: Our term insurance policy covers life coverage of 50 lakhs per staff member

Employee Assistance program: Promoting mental well-being and supporting staff in achieving a satisfying work-life balance

Health & Nutrition: Personalized diet recommendation from a certified dietitian based on the physical health condition and lifestyle

Flexible work schedule: Alternative work arrangements for all who are eligible by nature of their job

Learning culture: Workshops and trainings to empower staff, encourage new learning opportunities

Rest and Recharge weeks: We encourage staff to take time off to rest, rejuvenate, upskill, and pursue their interests.

Our leave policy: Avail personal time off at 36 per year, along with public holidays, maternity, paternity, and adoption leaves.

Click here to know more about our benefits Careers | WRI INDIA (wri-india.org)

Equal employment @WRI India

We believe in equal employment, it is our policy to recruit and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to caste, religion, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, parental status, or disability.