Programme Associate – Technology Futures (solar)

Council on Energy, Environment and Water; New Delhi; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) invites applications for a Programme Associate in Technology Futures (solar) based in New Delhi. The role leads the technical research on solar manufacturing from polysilicon to module, assessing processes, equipment, BOMs and cost structures, while tracking policy impacts and geopolitics shaping global competitiveness.

The successful candidate will work with a cross-disciplinary team, analyze technology roadmaps, engage with industry and policy

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering with exposure to photovoltaic or semiconductor manufacturing.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant technical experience in solar PV manufacturing, technology assessment, or related roles.
• Hands-on experience with solar PV manufacturing processes or equipment is desirable.
• Familiarity with techno-economic modelling, cost analysis, or manufacturing process simulation tools.
• Exposure to industrial or trade policy, geopolitics, or manufacturing/supply chain management in clean energy is desirable.
• Experience with secondary trade datasets (e.g., UN Comtrade, WITS) is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical assessments of solar PV manufacturing processes, equipment and materials across the value chain.
• Track technology roadmaps (e.g., ITRPV) and evaluate next-generation cell and module technologies for manufacturing readiness.
• Assess timelines, costs, and downtimes when transitioning lines between cell technologies (e.g., PERC to TOPCon).
• Map domestic and global solar supply chains for inputs and equipment, analyzing licensing and IP considerations.
• Track policy, regulatory and geopolitical developments affecting manufacturing competitiveness.
• Lead development of high-value technical briefs and engage with industry, government, and international bodies.

Skills

Solar PV manufacturing

Techno-economic modelling

Cost analysis

AI tools

Policy & geopolitics

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Education

Engineering degree (BEng/MEng)

Renewable energy focus

Tools

Cost modelling tools

AI platforms

Job description

Council on Energy, Environment and Water | Full time

Programme Associate – Technology Futures (solar)

Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW),New Delhi

ProgrammeAssociate – Technology Futures

Terms of reference

At CEEW, we are deliberate aboutwhat we stand for as an employer. So, if the below description strikes a chord,we would love to hear from you!

At CEEW, we build careers in public policy

• We offer strong visionary leadership –with emphasis on research and impact at scale
• We actively promote leadership byinitiative
• We celebrate talent and ambition
• You will be surrounded by smart peoplewho will challenge you and help you grow
• You will learn faster than your peers inother organisations
• Curiosity and irreverence, as well asresponsibility, come together at CEEW
• You will get above-market remuneration
• We provide a safe space for all
• At CEEW, your life is your example forothers

Designation offered:

Programme Associate

Team/ Focus area :

Technology Futures

Reporting to:

SeniorProgramme Lead

Purpose

CEEW's Technology Futures teamworks towards mainstreaming appropriate global and indigenous technologies thatcan deliver energy security and sustainable economic growth at scale. Theteam's work spans clean energy technology manufacturing, critical minerals, andthe evolving geopolitics and governance of clean energy technologycollaboration, and has previously informed India's G20 presidency-led work onglobal renewable energy supply chains.

CEEW seeks to hire a suitablecandidate to lead the Technology Futures team's technical research on solarmanufacturing, covering the end-to-end value chain — from polysilicon andingot/wafer production to cell and module manufacturing, and associatedbill-of-materials (BOM) components. The candidate in this role will leadtechnological assessments of manufacturing processes, equipment and materialsused across the value chain, while also tracking the policies, regulations,industrial strategies, technology partnerships, and geopolitics that shapesolar manufacturing competitiveness across major global markets, including theUS, EU, China, Southeast Asia, and India.

The candidate will also evaluateemerging cell and module technologies (such as HJT, BC, and perovskite/tandemcells) and their manufacturing readiness, and guide the technical rigour of theteam's research outputs. The role also involves tracking technologypartnerships, licensing arrangements, and analysing how manufacturingincentives, trade measures, and geopolitical developments — such as exportcontrols and trade disputes — shape the global solar manufacturing landscape.

The candidate must have a strongtechnical/engineering background in solar PV manufacturing, along with theability to engage with the policy, trade, and geopolitical dimensions of thesector. In addition to the duties and responsibilities outlined below, thecandidate should be prepared, as and when necessary, to take on additionalresponsibilities and respond to ongoing events and developments in the sector.

CEEW offers an intellectuallychallenging and conducive work environment, with a focus on research rigour,innovative thinking, and strategic outreach. We are looking for an enthusiasticand detail-oriented individual who would be excited to take research to action.We recommend that applicants visit the Technology Futures page for more detailsabout our projects.

Job duties and accountabilities

Research and programme assistance

• Lead technical assessments of manufacturing processes,equipment and materials across the entire solar PV value chain — frompolysilicon and ingot/wafer to cell and module manufacturing.
• Track industry technology roadmaps, such as theInternational Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaic (ITRPV), to anticipate shiftsin dominant cell architectures and manufacturing processes. Based on this —evaluate emerging and next-generation solar cell and module technologies, suchas HJT, BC, and perovskite/tandem cells, and assess their manufacturingreadiness levels (MRLs), which includes timelines to commercial-scalemanufacturing.
• Assess the timelines, capital costs, and productiondowntime associated with transitioning an existing manufacturing line from onecell technology to another (for instance, PERC to TOPCon), including equipmentretrofit versus greenfield trade-offs and yield ramp-up curves, and trackchanges in bill-of-materials (BOM) and their cost implications.
• Map domestic and global supply chains for solarmanufacturing inputs and equipment, including dependencies on criticalminerals, and assess technology licensing and intellectual propertyconsiderations that shape manufacturers' adoption of new technologies.
• Track and analyse policy, regulatory, and geopoliticaldevelopments — including manufacturing incentive schemes, customs duties andtrade measures, export controls, and technology partnerships between countries— across major solar manufacturing geographies, and assess their impact onmanufacturing competitiveness.
• Use AI tools to accelerate literature review, datasynthesis, and analysis of quantitative data, such as production capacities,investments, trade flows, and costs, enabling quick-turnaround of researchoutputs for the team and stakeholders.
• Lead the drafting of high-value technical researchbriefs and reports.
• Engage extensively with equipment manufacturers,module, cell, and ingot/wafer producers, industry associations, governmentagencies, and international bodies to collect data, understand technical andpolicy priorities and challenges, and validate research findings.
• Track and build relationships around technologypartnerships, joint ventures, and industry collaborations relevant to globalsolar manufacturing.
• Lead stakeholder consultations and workshops, andrepresent CEEW in relevant industry, technical, and policy forums.

Selection Criteria

Qualification

• A bachelor's or master's degree in engineering —mechanical, materials science, chemical, or renewable energy — or a relatedtechnical discipline, with strong exposure to photovoltaic or semiconductormanufacturing.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant technical experiencein solar PV manufacturing, technology assessment, or related industry/researchroles.
• Hands-on or professional experience with solar PVmanufacturing processes, equipment, or engineering — for instance, with a manufacturing company, equipment provider, or technical research institution —is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with techno-economic modelling, costanalysis, or manufacturing process simulation tools is preferred.
• Exposure to industrial or trade policy, geopolitics, ormanufacturing/supply chain management relevant to clean energy — throughcoursework, prior roles, or otherwise — is highly desirable.
• Past experience working with secondary trade and investment datasets, such as UN Comtrade or WITS (World Integrated TradeSolution), is an advantage.

Skills

• Strong technical and engineering understanding of solarPV manufacturing processes, machinery and materials, and an ability to analysepolicy, regulatory, and geopolitical developments and assess their implicationsfor manufacturing competitiveness.
• Proficiency in tools such as techno-economic analysis,multi-criteria decision analysis, sensitivity analysis, decision trees, orMonte Carlo simulations is preferred.
• Familiarity with bottom-up manufacturing cost modelspublished by institutions such as NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)and Fraunhofer ISE.
• Familiarity using AI tools, such as large languagemodels and AI-assisted research and analysis platforms, to speed up researchworkflows and produce quick, high-quality outputs.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts fornon-technical audiences, and present findings in a clear and accurate manner,both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary andmulticultural environment.

CEEW operates in a dynamicenvironment, and the candidate will be required to show flexibility inundertaking a variety of tasks.

Application Process

CEEW is an equal-opportunityemployer, and the selection process does not discriminate based on age, gender,sexuality, ethnicity, religion, or caste. Female candidates and those frommarginalised backgrounds are encouraged to apply.