- CEPS - Centre for European Policy Studies
- Brussels, Belgium (Remote)
- Full-time
Research Assistant / Researcher – Energy, Resources and Climate Change Unit
- CEPS - Centre for European Policy Studies
Brussels, Belgium
Full-time
Published:
Application Deadline: November 19, 2025
- CEPS - Centre for European Policy Studies
Brussels, Belgium
Full-time
Published:
Application Deadline: November 19, 2025
ABOUT US:
Founded in Brussels in 1983, CEPS (Centre for European Policy Studies) is a leading think tank and forum for debate on EU affairs, which has been consistently ranked among the world’s top 10 best think tanks. CEPS’ distinguishing features include its strong in-house research capacity and an extensive international network of partner institutes. CEPS’ funding comes from a variety of sources, mainly research grants and public procurement, but also from membership and conference fees.
The Energy, Resources and Climate Change (ERCC) unit is one of CEPS’ largest teams. Its main expertise includes inter alia EU and international climate policy, energy transition, resources and circular economy policy (including global value chains), sustainable product policy, carbon pricing, including the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), energy-intensive industries and industrial transformation, and energy security of supply and EU electricity and gas markets. The work of the ERCC unit encompasses policy and project work, as well as the organisation of multi-stakeholder events.
MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The selected candidate will:
YOUR BACKGROUND & QUALIFICATION:
Our ideal candidate:
WHAT WE OFFER:
We initially offer full-time employment for 12 months, which is renewable subject to performance. The salary will be in accordance with your previous experience as well as the CEPS salary scale. We also offer a benefits package (group & hospitalisation insurance, meal tickets, public transport reimbursement, 20 days legal holiday entitlement per year plus an additional two weeks during the Christmas-New Year period when CEPS is closed, as well as the possibility to telework in Belgium + 20 days per calendar year of teleworking from abroad).
We would like the preferred candidate to start in early 2026 (preferably in January). The job will be based in Brussels.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS:
Depending on the level of experience of the candidate, the appointment will be at the Research Assistant or Researcher level. At least two years of demonstrable work/research experience in relevant fields will be required for appointment at the Researcher level. Based on performance, the candidate can progress towards the Researcher level, in case of hiring at the Research Assistant position. CEPS offers a Learning and Development Programme for all staff to develop the necessary skills for their position.
MORE INFORMATION:
Further questions/enquiries regarding the position can be e-mailed to alba.moroncabrera@ceps.eu.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
CEPS strongly values and actively pursues diversity. We encourage applications especially from female, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates belonging to ethnic groups that are under-represented at CEPS.
Applications should include:
All documents including the written examples of work should be in English and integrated in one pdf document. For the CV, preferably use the Europass template (https://europa.eu/europass/en). The pdf document should be e-mailed to applications@ceps.eu by 19 November 2025 EoB.
Please specify “Research Assistant/Researcher – Energy, Resources and Climate Change Unit” in the subject line of your email. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as applications will be assessed on a rolling basis. Interviews will take place in the first week of December.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. CV and personal data of non-selected candidates are not shared with anyone outside CEPS and will be deleted immediately after the recruitment process. For more information, read our privacy policy available on the CEPS website.
Even if you do not strictly have all the necessary competences for this role but you believe your experience and skills could be valuable and would allow you to fulfil the tasks required, we would highly recommend that you still submit an application.
If you are successful but you are not an EU citizen, CEPS willwork closely with you to ensure that all relevant documentation and immigration processes are completed to enable you to work in Belgium.
Founded in Brussels in 1983, CEPS (Centre for European Policy Studies) is a leading think tank and forum for debate on EU affairs, which has been consistently ranked among the world’s top 10 best think tanks. CEPS’ distinguishing features include its strong in-house research capacity and an extensive international network of partner institutes. CEPS’ funding comes from a variety of sources, mainly research grants and public procurement, but also from membership and conference fees.
The Energy, Resources and Climate Change (ERCC) unit is one of CEPS’ largest teams. Its main expertise includes inter alia EU and international climate policy, energy transition, resources and circular economy policy (including global value chains), sustainable product policy, carbon pricing, including the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), energy-intensive industries and industrial transformation, and energy security of supply and EU electricity and gas markets. The work of the ERCC unit encompasses policy and project work, as well as the organisation of multi-stakeholder events.
MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The selected candidate will:
- Contribute to the research work of the CEPS ERCC Unit;
- Write policy papers, studies, project reports and commentaries;
- Assist in the preparation of research proposals;
- Give presentations and represent CEPS at partner or consortium project meetings.
YOUR BACKGROUND & QUALIFICATION:
Our ideal candidate:
- You have a Master’s degree in economics, environmental economics, sustainability, international relations or politicalscience, etc. and have developed interest and expertise in the sustainability field;
- You have advanced knowledge of at least one of the following areas: circular economy, environmental policy, industrial decarbonisation policies, raw materials, climate policy;
- You have an excellent command of English, both oral and written;
- You have the ability to work independently but you also enjoy teamwork and are open to giving and receiving feedback;
- A PhD degree in a relevant subject, or an equivalent period of research experience, is an advantage for appointments at the Researcher level;
- You have strong work ethics and a commitment to respecting colleagues and deadlines;
- Knowledge of quantitative and data analysis methods would be an asset;
- You are kind with a deep respect for diversity, and a strong sense of empathy towards colleagues;
- You are enthusiastic to contribute not only towards the success of the ERCC unit but also the whole of CEPS as an organisation.
WHAT WE OFFER:
We initially offer full-time employment for 12 months, which is renewable subject to performance. The salary will be in accordance with your previous experience as well as the CEPS salary scale. We also offer a benefits package (group & hospitalisation insurance, meal tickets, public transport reimbursement, 20 days legal holiday entitlement per year plus an additional two weeks during the Christmas-New Year period when CEPS is closed, as well as the possibility to telework in Belgium + 20 days per calendar year of teleworking from abroad).
We would like the preferred candidate to start in early 2026 (preferably in January). The job will be based in Brussels.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS:
Depending on the level of experience of the candidate, the appointment will be at the Research Assistant or Researcher level. At least two years of demonstrable work/research experience in relevant fields will be required for appointment at the Researcher level. Based on performance, the candidate can progress towards the Researcher level, in case of hiring at the Research Assistant position. CEPS offers a Learning and Development Programme for all staff to develop the necessary skills for their position.
MORE INFORMATION:
Further questions/enquiries regarding the position can be e-mailed to alba.moroncabrera@ceps.eu.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
CEPS strongly values and actively pursues diversity. We encourage applications especially from female, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates belonging to ethnic groups that are under-represented at CEPS.
Applications should include:
- A one-page letter of motivation, indicating your salary expectations;
- A curriculum vitae listing your achievements and includes the names and contact details of two referees;
- Two written examples of work in the fields relevant to this post. Examples include: i) a policy or project report, ii), research study, iii) a position or policy analysis paper (if you previously worked in an NGO, consultancy or industry environment), iv) an academic article, v) a selected chapter (no more than 7 pages) of your thesis. In all cases if the paper has more than one author, please specify in the letter of motivation your contribution to the paper.
All documents including the written examples of work should be in English and integrated in one pdf document. For the CV, preferably use the Europass template (https://europa.eu/europass/en). The pdf document should be e-mailed to applications@ceps.eu by 19 November 2025 EoB.
Please specify “Research Assistant/Researcher – Energy, Resources and Climate Change Unit” in the subject line of your email. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as applications will be assessed on a rolling basis. Interviews will take place in the first week of December.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. CV and personal data of non-selected candidates are not shared with anyone outside CEPS and will be deleted immediately after the recruitment process. For more information, read our privacy policy available on the CEPS website.
Even if you do not strictly have all the necessary competences for this role but you believe your experience and skills could be valuable and would allow you to fulfil the tasks required, we would highly recommend that you still submit an application.
If you are successful but you are not an EU citizen, CEPS willwork closely with you to ensure that all relevant documentation and immigration processes are completed to enable you to work in Belgium.
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