Deadline for applications: Sunday 29 th March 2026, 23:59 CET

Expected starting date: 1 st September 2026

Bruegel welcomes applications for a position as Research Assistant on Energy and Climate.

Interviews are expected to take place between 17 April and 24 April 2026.

Bruegel is a European think tank working in the field of international economics. Established in 2005, Bruegel is independent and non-doctrinal. Its mission is to improve the quality of economic policy with open and fact-based research, analysis and debate. We are committed to impartiality, openness and excellence. Bruegel’s membership includes European Member State governments, international corporations and institutions. For more information about Bruegel, please consult:www.bruegel.org

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Research Assistant on Energy and Climate work closely with Bruegel Energy and Climate Fellows to conduct research in the forms of Datasets, Policy Briefs, Blueprints, Blogs, external publications and project deliverables.

Responsibilities include gathering information; building datasets; collecting, cleaning, and analysing energy, climate and economic data; producing charts and graphs for publication and presentations; reviewing relevant academic literature and ongoing policy debates, supporting project work (organization of meetings and agendas, internal coordination, outreach with stakeholders); contributing to the drafting of policy pieces; and occasionally taking notes at meetings and events.

Research Assistant on Energy and Climate will have the opportunity to co-author Bruegel publications, and contribute own ideas and initiative.

We offer a full-time one-year contracts for Research Assistant.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Skills

All applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in Economics (or related fields), should possess a solid understanding of economics, demonstrate very strong technical strengths in quantitative economics methods/econometrics and demonstrate a strong interest in energy and climate issues.

Proficiency in Python, R or Matlab (at least in one of the three), as well as in Excel, is required. Data cleaning, visualisation and scraping skills (using e.g. Python or JavaScript) would be useful, and at the least a desire to learn such skills is required.

Applicants must be fluent in English, both written and spoken.

Applicants are expected to be able to confidently, autonomously and professionally communicate with Bruegel colleagues, and occasionally while representing Bruegel at public or private events. Versatility, attention to detail and the ability to work as a team-player with short deadlines are essential.

Demonstrated ability to comprehensively digest complex information and communicate it in a coherent manner, such as through literature review is desirable. Applicants are expected to possess a strong ability to work autonomously, and bring own ideas to the table, whilst under the guidance of Bruegel fellows.

Interests

Applicants must have an interest in applied, policy-oriented research in the area of climate and energy policy. Topics of relevance include the EU energy and climate governance, internal energy market, carbon markets, industrial policy, green macroeconomics, climate geoeconomics and the economics of household and transportation decarbonisation, including Just Transition.

Experience

Besides a Master’s degree –or equivalent –in Economics, candidates for this specific Research Assistant position should possess at least one year of professional experience in economic empirical work as well as in managing or coordinating data projects.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

To apply, please submit your application to recruitment@bruegel.org with the subject line: “Research Assistant Energy & Climate Application 2026”. Your application must be submitted by Sunday 29 th March 2026, 23:59 CET

The email must contain the below documents in one single PDF document (merged):

• CV
• Cover Letter
• Writing Sample (such as Master’s thesis)
• University Transcripts

Applications with missing documents and/or that do not meet the above-mentioned requirements will NOT be considered.

Because of the high number of applications we usually receive we are unfortunately unable to reply to all applicants. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted within a few weeks.

Bruegel is committed to ensuring equal opportunities and treatment for all by providing that no job applicant receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, religion, ethnic or national origins, gender, marital status, caring responsibilities, sexual orientation, disability or chronic illness.