Research & programme lead

We Are Hiring: Research & Programme Lead

Location: Nagpur, India (with occasional fieldwork)

Job Type: Full-time (6-month contract; extendable based on performance)

Compensation: ₹25,000 – ₹30,000 per month (with performance-based growth)

About the Organization

We are an independent climate research institute and think tank working at the intersection of environmental science, public policy, and real-world impact. Our work focuses on urban heat, air quality, and public health, alongside building open data tools and science communication platforms that inform decision-making from city-level planning to national policy.

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated and self-driven Research & Programme Lead to take ownership of research initiatives and contribute to building a sustainable and impactful organization.

This is a high-ownership role requiring leadership across research, project execution, grant writing, and partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

Research Leadership

Lead and execute environmental research projects (urban heat, air quality, health risk assessment) Design robust and publishable research methodologies Mentor interns and junior researchers

Project Management

Manage project timelines, deliverables, and quality end-to-end Coordinate data collection, analysis, and reporting Oversee field data collection when required

Grant Writing & Funding

Identify relevant funding opportunities Draft proposals, grant applications, and concept notes

Business Development

Build partnerships with institutions, NGOs, and government bodies Support development of research and digital offerings Contribute to organizational growth and revenue strategies

Leadership

Take initiative, ownership, and drive direction in a fast-paced environment

Eligibility Criteria

Experience

2–3 years of experience in environmental research, sustainability, programme management, or related fields

Education

Bachelor's degree (mandatory) in Environmental Science, Engineering, Geography, Ecology, Climate Science, or a related field Master's degree preferred

Required Skills

Strong research capability (thesis, publication, or independent projects) Familiarity with GIS/Remote Sensing tools (QGIS, Google Earth Engine) or data tools (Python/R) is an advantage Experience in grant writing or proposal development preferred Excellent written and verbal communication skills Strong project management and ability to work independently Proactive, entrepreneurial mindset with comfort in ambiguity Passion for climate impact and building scalable solutions