Cascade Institute Fellow, Energy Systems

The Cascade Institute is based at Royal Roads University and acknowledges that our headquarters are located on the traditional lands of the Lekwungen-speaking people, the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.

We recognize that their ancestors and peoples have lived on these lands for thousands of years. It is with gratitude that we now learn, work, and conduct research on these Lands.

We also recognize that beyond the land acknowledgment, we all play a role in transforming our relationships, communities and our world.

The Cascade Institute is seeking a Fellow to contribute cutting-edge research and analysis to the Cascade Institute’s Energy Systems program .

The role is a two-year limited term position with the possibility of renewal depending on performance and funding.

We are looking for candidates interested in working in-person at our offices on Royal Roads University campus, as well as fully remote or hybrid work (candidates eligible to work in Canada are prioritized).

The Fellow will apply their knowledge of renewable energy systems and resources (wind, solar, hydro, bioenergy, hydrogen), expertise, experience, and analytical / methodological tools and skills in three main areas (demonstrated expertise in at least one area is required plus interest in the other) :

• Complex systems understanding of energy systems regional, nationally and globally
• Topics include challenges with the engrained fossil fuel energy systems, the complex interplay of social, economic, environment, technical and policy challenges that impede energy transitions, system mapping of current and future energy states
• Worldviews (i.e., belief and value systems) and the potential to rapidly shift worldviews to accelerate and scale up energy system innovation
• Topics include : interplay of worldviews, institutions and technologies; belief system mapping; affective polarization;

surveys; Indigenous worldviews

• Scaling up community / local-level renewable energy system innovations (technology, process, policy and regulations, community capacity, ownership and governance around energy transitions) to the national and global level and apply global solutions / learnings back to Canada.
• Topics include : climate and energy policy and associated regulations, energy system transformation, integrated energy systems, decarbonization of electricity, heating, transportation, industry, systemic barriers of to scaling up renewable energy solutions

Primary Position Outcomes :

Development of research and analysis products

• Works both independently and with other members of the research team(s) to collect data, conduct cutting-edge analysis, and write high-quality deliverables (academic and non-academic papers, reports, briefings, system mapping tools)
• Collaborates with other members of their research team(s) to scan the knowledge frontier for high-impact research and analysis opportunities
• Contributes to the development and execution of new strategies and projects in collaboration with the research team(s)
• Builds new, and expands current, national and international networks of experts and changemakers to shape and sometimes co-develop research and analysis

Knowledge mobilization

Collaborates with other members of their research team(s), as well as the communications team to mobilize knowledge, findings, and recommendations to maximize their impact

Teamwork and project management

• Provides regular progress updates to the Research Director, project team, and various advisory teams / boards
• Contributes to the tracking of project evaluation metrics and helps to fulfill project reporting requirements
• Integrates inclusion, diversity and accessibility in processes, activities and resources

About the Energy Systems program

The Cascade Institute’s Energy Systems program conducts applied research and analysis to accelerate the local, national and global energy transition.

Their work seeks to harness non-linear change in technological and social systems to produce new solutions. Using tools to measure and map worldviews and policy preferences, team members identify and investigate potential technological and social innovations capable of catalyzing energy system transformation at a rate and scale commensurate with the urgency and magnitude of the climate crisis.

The Energy Systems program pursues new research pathways, analyzes emerging data, and provides timely advice to frontline actors including community changemakers, Indigenous community leaders, policymakers, institutions, industry, and financial actors.

This work explores the technological, institutional, and worldview components of energy systems to effectively guide research and development, investment, and implementation of key energy technologies.

The Energy Systems program is funded, in part, by the Accelerating Community Energy Transformation (ACET) initiative (supported by the Canada First Excellence Research Fund) a research collaboration with the University of Victoria, Yukon University, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, and the University of British Columbia helping communities achieve their unique clean-energy systems goals.

About Cascade Institute Fellows

Cascade Institute Fellows are researchers and knowledge mobilizers with highly specialized expertise on complex systems and the topics related to the Institute’s evolving research program.

Fellows are members of one or more of the Institute’s research teams and work both independently and collaboratively with other team members to produce cutting-edge research and analysis products.

Fellows scan the knowledge frontier to identify high-impact research opportunities. Working within intellectually diverse teams, Fellows develop new, and expand current, national and international networks of experts and changemakers.

Job Requirements

Required Qualifications :

• A masters degree or doctorate in a relevant discipline
• Demonstrated expertise (e.g., writing, publications, other research / analysis outputs) in either :
• Complex systems understanding of our local, national, and global energy systems
• Worldviews (i.e., belief and value systems) and the potential to rapidly shift worldviews to accelerate and scale up energy system innovation
• Scaling up community / local-level energy system innovations to the national and global level
• Experience working on collaborative / team projects
• Experience working on interdisciplinary projects
• Demonstrated ability to write with exceptional analytical clarity
• Demonstrated ability to effectively tailor outputs for different types of readers
• Experience communicating research / analysis findings beyond journal articles and academic conferences
• Demonstrated ability to present research / analysis findings orally in a clear and compelling manner and to engage critically and constructively with other experts in a meeting / workshop / webinar setting
• Demonstrated ability to build broad networks of other experts and practitioners
• Demonstrated ability to leverage networks to improve the quality of research / analysis outputs and maximize the impact of knowledge mobilization

Preferred Qualifications :

• Experience working at a research institute, think tank, or research-focused NGO
• Experience managing complex projects
• Experience using horizon scanning / scenario planning methods

Additional Information

This is a temporary, full-time position working 37.5 hours per week for an approximate two year term. This position has been evaluated at MPT-C with a salary range of $76,430 (minimum) to $89,820 (midpoint) to $103,209 (maximum) per annum.

Employment offers will normally be made between the minimum and midpoint of the range and are determined by knowledge, experience and internal equity.

The University is pleased to offer a comprehensive benefit package.Royal Roads University is strongly committed to fostering diversity within our community.

We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our faculty and staff including, but not limited to, women, visible minorities, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity.