Research Analyst- Technology Futures (Solar)

Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW); New Delhi; On-site; INR 700,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

CEEW's Technology Futures team is seeking a researcher to support solar PV manufacturing analysis, examining processes, machinery, and materials along the PV value chain. The role involves assessing supply chains, policy developments, and regulatory influences shaping domestic and global solar manufacturing.

The candidate will conduct techno-economic assessments, monitor policy changes, and engage with government, industry, and international stakeholders to translate research into action.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical and research skills applied to techno-economic analysis.
• Exposure to photovoltaic or semiconductor manufacturing is a plus.
• Experience with secondary datasets (UN Comtrade, DGCI&S data) is desirable.
• Ability to translate complex technical info for diverse audiences.
• Familiarity with AI tools to speed up research workflows.

Responsibilities

• Review literature on clean energy manufacturing focusing on PV value chain.
• Map and analyze solar PV supply chains and dependencies on minerals/equipment.
• Assess policy/regulatory landscape for solar manufacturing in India and beyond.
• Follow geopolitics of solar technology and export controls.
• Collect and analyze quantitative data to support techno-economic analyses.
• Prepare memos and presentations for stakeholders.

Skills

Analytical skills

Research skills

Techno-economic analysis

AI-assisted research

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in engineering (mechanical, materials science, chemical, or renewable energy)

Tools

Monte-Carlo simulations

AI research tools

Job description

CEEW's Technology Futures team works towards mainstreaming appropriate global and indigenous technologies that can deliver energy security and sustainable economic growth at scale. The team's work spans clean energy technology manufacturing, critical minerals, and the evolving geopolitics and governance of clean energy technology collaboration, and has previously informed India's G20 presidency-led work on global renewable energy supply chains.

CEEW seeks to hire a suitable candidate to support the Technology Futures team's work on clean energy manufacturing, with a particular focus on solar photovoltaic (PV) technology. The candidate in this role will examine manufacturing processes, machinery and materials across the solar value chain (polysilicon, ingot/wafer, cell and module), assess supply chain dependencies and bottlenecks — including critical minerals and manufacturing equipment — and track the evolving policies and regulations shaping domestic and global solar manufacturing.

The researcher will undertake technology and techno-economic assessments of manufacturing processes, track domestic and international policy developments relevant to solar manufacturing (such as production-linked incentives, local content requirements, customs duties and other measures), analyse supply chain data, and support the team in engaging with government, industry and international stakeholders.

The candidate must have a strong technical understanding of clean energy manufacturing, particularly solar PV technologies and processes, along with a keen interest in how policy and regulation shape technology and manufacturing outcomes, and have demonstrable research experience. In addition to the duties and responsibilities outlined below, the candidate should be prepared, as and when necessary, to take on additional responsibilities and respond to ongoing events and developments in the sector.

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

Job duties and accountabilities

Research and programme assistance

• Review literature and track developments in clean energy manufacturing, with an emphasis on manufacturing processes, machinery and materials used across the entire solar PV value chain.
• Map and analyse domestic and global supply chains for solar PV and other clean energy technologies, including dependencies on critical minerals, intermediate goods, and manufacturing equipment.
• Analyse the policy and regulatory landscape governing solar manufacturing in India and other geographies.
• Track the geopolitics of solar technology — including export controls, technology partnerships, and shifts in global manufacturing competitiveness.
• Collect and analyse quantitative data — production capacities and costs to support techno-economic and policy analysis.
• Prepare appropriate memos and presentations to brief the team and stakeholders.
• Assist the team in drafting and publishing high-value research briefs and reports.
• Engage with industry players, and government agencies to collect data, understand manufacturing and policy challenges, and validate research findings.
• Participate in in-person and virtual convenings to network with relevant stakeholders and understand on-ground challenges in clean energy manufacturing.

Selection Criteria

Qualification

• A bachelor's or master's degree in engineering — mechanical, materials science, chemical, or renewable energy — or a related technical discipline, ideally with exposure to photovoltaic or semiconductor manufacturing.
• Familiarity with the solar PV manufacturing value chain (polysilicon, ingot/wafer, cell, module) and the associated machinery, processes and materials is highly desirable.
• Research experience of at least 1 year is preferred.
• Past experience working with secondary datasets such as UN Comtrade, trade and investment databases, WITS (World Integrated Trade Solution), India's Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCI&S) trade statistics or similar sources is highly desirable.
• Coursework or exposure to industrial policy and manufacturing/supply chain management is preferred.

Skills

• Strong analytical and research skills, particularly in techno-economic and quantitative analysis.
• Proficiency in tools such as multi-criteria decision analysis, sensitivity analysis, decision trees or Monte-Carlo simulations is preferred.
• Ability to analyse technical and policy information and present it in a clear and accurate manner, both verbally and in writing.
• Familiarity using AI tools, such as large language models and AI-assisted research and analysis platforms, to speed up research workflows and produce quick, high-quality outputs.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts for non-technical audiences, and present findings in a clear and accurate manner, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary and multicultural environment.

CEEW operates in a dynamic environment, and the candidate will be required to show flexibility in undertaking a variety of tasks.