The Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) conducts research with the aim of investigating, identifying, and advancing development pathways for transformation processes towards sustainability in Germany and abroad. The institute was founded in 2009 as the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) and has been affiliated with the Helmholtz Centre Potsdam - GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences under its new name since the 1^st of January 2023 and is thus part of the Helmholtz Association.

For the research group “Geopolitics of Transitions in Energy and Industry” we are looking for a:

The Research Group “Geopolitics of Transitions in Energy and Industry” at the Research Institute for Sustainability, Helmholtz Centre Potsdam (RIFS Potsdam) is looking for a motivated Master-level student to work in our upcoming research project on the “Geopolitics of the Energy Transformation: Sustainability Governance in the Hydrogen Sector”, funded by the Federal Foreign Office.

The project “Geopolitics of the Energy Transformation: Sustainability Governance in the Hydrogen Sector” will be analyzing the international sustainability governance landscape in the hydrogen sector, its strengths and weaknesses and its implications for the development of international supply chains and broader foreign policy goals. The project also places a stronge emphasis on dialogue and engagement with international stakeholders in the sector. The project will involve desktop research, field research in Africa or Latin America, conceptualization and implementation of expert workshops (online and in person), building a network of experts on sustainability governance, attending international hydrogen-related conferences and events, contracting experts for short studies and expert inputs. The project will run from 1^st April 2024 to 31^st December 2025.

The student assistant will be supporting the various project tasks and overall project management. We have openings at both the level of student assistant and research associate. Student assistants may have the possibility to apply for a research associate postion after completion of their masters degree. An advertisement of the research associate position will follow. 

Your responsibilities:

• Desktop research and data analysis
• Support with preparation of publications
• Support with conceptualizing and organizing events
• Management of stakeholder contacts
• Support with overall project management

Your qualifications:

• Enrolment at a German University
• Completed bachelor degree is a plus
• Knowledge and interest in international issues related to the energy transition
• Background in social sciences or economics
• Experience working with quantitative data is a plus
• Experience in drafting policy-oriented publications is a plus

Diversity and equal opportunities are integral components of our human resources policy. The RIFS actively promotes diversity and explicitly welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of ethnic and social origin, nationality, gender, sexual orientation and identity, religion/belief, age and physical characteristics. Anyone who has been recognized as severely disabled, will be given preferential consideration in the event of equal suitability and qualification in accordance with the provisions of the German Social Code IX.

Your personal data will be processed for the purpose of conducting the selection procedure on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 b, Art. 88 GDPR in conjunction with Art. 26 of the Data Protection Act for the State of Brandenburg. After completion of the procedure, application documents will be deleted in compliance with data protection regulations.

In case of any further queries relating to the field of activity, please contact Prof. Dr. Rainer Quitzow either via email at rainer.quitzow@rifs-potsdam.de or phone +49 (0)331-6264-22374. If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact our recruiting team at our phone number +49 (0) 331-6264-28787.