Research Intern - Sustainable Food Systems

NA · On-site

About this role

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

Research Intern, Sustainable Food Systems

Terms of Reference


At CEEW, we are deliberate about what we stand for (and what we don’t stand for!) as an employer. We are

proud to build careers in public policy and social impact.

  • We offer strong visionary leadership – with emphasis on research and impact at scale

  • We actively promote leadership by initiative

  • We celebrate talent and ambition

  • You will be surrounded by smart ambitious people who will challenge you and help you grow

  • You will learn faster than your peers in other organisations

  • Curiosity and irreverence as well as responsibility come together at CEEW

  • You will get above-market remuneration

  • We provide a safe space for all

  • At CEEW, your life is your example for others


Designation Offered: Research Intern
Reporting to: Programme Associate / Consultant

Job Location: New Delhi Duration :  3–6 months (extendable based on performance and project requirements)

Purpose

The Sustainable Food Systems (SFS) team at CEEW works at the intersection of food, agriculture, energy, climate, and livelihoods to support evidence-based pathways towards sustainable development.

The Research Intern will support ongoing analytical and policy research related to food systems transformation, resource efficiency, land-use transitions, and the role of energy in enabling sustainable agricultural development. The role offers an opportunity to contribute to high-impact research, engage with diverse datasets, and support the development of policy-relevant insights.

 

About the Focus Area

The SFS team seeks to reimagine India's food systems by aligning environmental sustainability, economic resilience, and livelihood outcomes. The programme works across themes such as agricultural transitions, emissions mitigation, resource efficiency, food security, energy-agriculture linkages, and sustainable land-use pathways.

The team collaborates with governments, research institutions, industry stakeholders, and civil society organizations to generate evidence and support decision-making.

 

Key Responsibilities

Research and Analysis

·       Conduct literature reviews on topics related to agriculture, energy systems, climate mitigation, food security, and sustainable development.

·       Support quantitative and qualitative analysis of agricultural, energy, environmental, and socio-economic datasets.

·       Assist in developing analytical frameworks, scenario assessments, and evidence synthesis.

·       Contribute to data collection, cleaning, validation, and interpretation.

Modelling and Data Support

·       Support the development and refinement of analytical and modelling exercises.

·       Work with large datasets to derive insights on resource use, land-use change, agricultural productivity, and sustainability outcomes.

·       Assist in preparing visualizations, dashboards, and analytical outputs.

Policy Research

·       Track relevant policy developments at national and international levels.

·       Analyze policy instruments, government programmes, and emerging trends related to agriculture, energy, and sustainability.

·       Support preparation of policy notes, briefs, and background research documents.

Stakeholder Engagement

·       Support stakeholder mapping and preparation of engagement materials.

·       Assist in organizing consultations, workshops, and expert discussions.

·       Document key insights from meetings and stakeholder interactions.

Communication

·       Develop presentations, briefs, and research summaries.

·       Contribute to internal knowledge products and external publications.

·       Support dissemination of research findings to technical and non-technical audiences.

 

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Candidates should be pursuing or have recently completed a Bachelor's or Master's degree in one of the following disciplines:

·       Energy Studies

·       Environmental Science

·       Environmental Economics

·       Economics

·       Public Policy

·       Sustainability Studies

·       Agricultural Economics

·       Engineering (Energy, Environmental, Chemical, Mechanical, or related disciplines)

·       Related interdisciplinary fields

Experience

·       0–2 years of relevant experience, including internships, research assistantships, academic projects, or professional experience.

·       Prior exposure to energy systems, climate policy, sustainability, agriculture, or resource management is desirable.

·       Experience working with datasets and conducting policy or research analysis will be an advantage.

 

Key Competencies

·       Analytical Skills

·       Strong quantitative and analytical abilities.

·       Ability to synthesize information from diverse sources and identify key insights.

·       Data Handling

·       Familiarity with Excel and data analysis tools.

·       Exposure to statistical software (R, Python, STATA, or similar) is desirable.

·       Ability to work with large datasets and perform basic data cleaning and analysis.

·       Energy and Sustainability Understanding

·       Foundational understanding of energy systems, climate change, sustainability, or environmental policy.

·       Interest in the intersections between agriculture, energy, and sustainable development.

·       Communication

·       Strong written and verbal communication skills.

·       Ability to pres

Company at a glance

The Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) — a homegrown institution with headquarters in New Delhi — is among the world’s leading climate think tanks. The Council is also often ranked among the world’s best-managed and independent think tanks. It uses data, integrated analysis, and strategic outreach to explain — and change — the use, reuse, and misuse of resources. It prides itself on the independence of its high-quality research and strives to impact sustainable development at scale in India and the Global South. In over fourteen years of operation, CEEW has impacted over 400 million lives and engaged with over 20 state governments.

Founded2010
Team Size201-500 employees
WorkspaceOn-site
IndustryThink Tanks
Location
Delhi, India
Websiteceew.in
LinkedInLinkedIn

Top Benefits

  • Above-market remuneration
  • Safe space for all

Tired of cold applications?

Sign up with Clera and we'll reach out the moment a role actually fits you — no more spraying applications into the void.

Know someone who'd be great for this?