Heavy-Duty Vehicle (HDV) Researcher (Multi Levels), Latin America

The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) is an award-winning, independent, global, non-profit research organization that provides data-driven research to advance policies that reduce the health and environmental impacts of the transportation sector. The ICCT offers a mission-driven and culturally diverse workplace where intelligence, flexibility, transparency, and good humor are highly valued. Join our team of talented researchers and operations staff with offices in Washington D.C., San Francisco, Berlin, Beijing, New Delhi, and São Paulo. 

The ICCT seeks a self-motivated and committed Associate Researcher or Researcher to support our work on accelerating the zero-emission commercial fleets (buses and trucks) market in Latin America. This position provides an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of vehicle technology, economics, and public policy. Representative work can be seen on the ICCT’s Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program, and the Zero-emission Bus Rapid Deployment Accelerator (ZEBRA) web pages. https://theicct.org/sector/heavy-vehicles/ https://theicct.org/partnerships/zebra/   

The ideal candidate will bring experience on fleet electrification projects, knowledge of the transportation sector and environmental or energy topics, modeling and/or analytical skills, project management experience, written and spoken fluency in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, strong written and verbal communication, and demonstrated interest in solving our most pressing global health and environmental challenges. This opportunity is based in São Paulo. It is best suited to someone who is resourceful, creative, curious, and willing to work hard and learn fast. 

Position Levels:   

• Associate Researcher   

• Researcher   

 This position will support ongoing ICCT work in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Chile on accelerating the market for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles, including national- and city-level policies, technical support to fleets, industry engagement, and other strategies to improve the environmental and energy performance of commercial fleets. This position will report to our Heavy-duty Program Director. 

You will:  

• Perform high-quality quantitative research to support the development of local, regional, and national regulations designed to limit the environmental impacts of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, including commercial trucks and buses 

• Perform quantitative analyses of large datasets on the performance of conventional and zero-emissions vehicles and their market evolution 

• Develop and apply algorithms, models, and computer scripts necessary to support the analysis of the environmental impact of conventional and zero-emissions vehicles, focusing on vehicle energy consumption modeling and techno-economic assessments 

• Author or co-author blogs, briefing papers, memos, working papers, journal articles, and white papers to communicate research findings and the policy implications 

• Review and summarize technical and scientific literature, and review the work of colleagues and outside consultants 

• Prepare presentations and present findings in public forums, such as workshops and conferences, as well as in private forums, such as invite-only stakeholder meetings and policymaker briefings 

• Help to organize outreach activities, such as briefings, meetings, and workshops 

• Engage with external stakeholders, including government officials, policymakers, NGOs, academic experts, or industry partners 

You have:  

 Associate Researcher Level:   

• A bachelor’s or master's degree in economics, public policy, or engineering areas or related discipline, in addition to at least two years if related experience.   

 Researcher Level:   

• A master’s degree or PhD degree in economics, public policy, or engineering areas or related discipline, in addition to at least 2-5 years of experience.   

 Required for Both Levels:   

• Technical understanding of and interest in air quality, climate change, and transportation emissions, including vehicle and fuel regulations 

• Excellent research, analytical, and quantitative skills, along with strong written and verbal communication skills and strong emotional intelligence 

• Demonstrated research, education, or work experience in zero-emission vehicles and associated charging infrastructure 

• Strong proficiency with data manipulation and analysis required; modeling and computer programming experience and skill desired (R and/or Python, preferred) 

• Ability to work independently with limited supervision; highly organized, self-directed, and strategic in problem-solving 

• Some travel may be required 

• Portuguese, Spanish, and English fluency are required 

• Prior work or study experience outside of the candidate’s home country is preferred. 

Our Benefits: This position will be based in the ICCT's office in the Vila Madalena neighborhood of São Paulo. This position offers a monthly salary of R$11,100 (Associate Researcher) or R$13,700 (Researcher).  

To apply, please send your resume, a cover letter indicating your interest, one or two writing samples or relevant technical research publications primarily written by the applicant (in English), and the names and contact information of three professional or academic references (letters not necessary). Ideal starting date is March 1st, 2025. The position is open immediately and will remain open until filled.