Research Associate, Sustainable Finance | Associé-e de recherche, Finance durable

Canadian Climate Institute / Institut climatique du Canada; Canada; Remote; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible virtual workplace

Employer-paid health care benefits

Funding for professional development

Four weeks paid vacation

Job summary

A leading environmental organization is seeking a Research Associate to develop Canada's sustainable finance taxonomy. The role involves supporting technical development, maintaining sector expertise, and contributing to system tracking. Candidates should have a master's degree in a relevant field and strong quantitative research skills. This is a full-time virtual position available anywhere in Canada, offering competitive benefits including generous vacation, paid health care, and flexible work arrangements.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in public policy or research.
• Bilingual (French and English) fluency is an asset.
• Self‑directed and able to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Support technical taxonomy development activities.
• Maintain expertise in major sectors of Canada’s economy.
• Contribute to system tracking technical and public feedback.

Skills

Quantitative research skills

Written and oral communication

Interest in climate policy and finance

Data gathering and analysis

Education

Master’s degree in relevant field

Job description

Canadian Climate Institute – Research Associate (Sustainable Finance Taxonomy)

Closing Date: January 11, 2026

Salary Range: $60,000–$80,000 depending on qualifications and experience

Location: Anywhere in Canada (full‑time, virtual workplace with occasional travel)

Overview

The federal government announced seed funding in December 2025 to develop Canada’s sustainable investment guidelines, commonly known as a sustainable finance taxonomy. The Canadian Climate Institute is selected to lead the research and technical work that informs the development of the proposed guideline criteria. The Sustainable Finance team is expanding research capacity to deliver on this priority work.

Responsibilities

• Support all technical taxonomy development activities, including creating technical screening criteria, preparing documents and reports, analyzing international literature and data, and supporting engagement processes.
• Maintain up‑to‑date expertise on major sectors of Canada’s economy, including electricity, mining, buildings, heavy industry, and transportation.
• Stay current on developments in sustainable finance, climate policy, and factors affecting the Canadian economy broadly.
• Contribute to maintaining a system for tracking technical, advisory committee, and public feedback.
• Take meeting minutes and track action items.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• Master’s degree in Economics, Finance, Environmental, Sustainability or Climate Change Studies, Resource Management, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or other relevant field (e.g., engineering) combined with relevant policy research experience.
• Strong quantitative research skills and an understanding of energy‑economy modeling and modeling analysis interpretation.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong understanding of and interest in climate policy and/or finance; specific knowledge of sustainable finance taxonomies is an asset.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in public policy or research.
• Demonstrated experience with data gathering, analysis, and literature reviews.
• Bilingual (French and English) fluency is an asset.
• Self‑directed and able to work independently.
• Applicants must have legal authorization to work in Canada.

Benefits

• Full‑time (40 hrs/wk) salaried position with occasional travel.
• Dynamic, highly committed team located across the country.
• Flexible, virtual workplace with funds to cover home‑office setup.
• Four weeks paid vacation plus federal statutory holidays and additional paid days off at year‑end.
• Up to 5 days of unpaid leave per calendar year to participate in traditional Indigenous practices.
• Option to substitute statutory religious holidays for observed religious or cultural holidays.
• Employer‑paid health care benefits, Employee Assistance Program, half‑day Fridays in summer, paid sick days, and paid parental leave.
• RRSP contribution plan available after one year.
• Funding for professional development, skill training, and conference participation.

The Canadian Climate Institute is committed to advancing justice and equity in our organization and recruitment practices. We encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, women, LGBTQIA2S+ and persons with disabilities, and aim to create an inclusive culture that supports collective growth and meaningful work.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) to review resumes and assess fit based on the criteria outlined in this posting; AI is not used for final hiring or interview decisions.