Agora Thinktanks Careers Opportunities

Description

Agora Industry

Are you passionate about biomass feedstocks as a means to decarbonise heavy industry applications? Do you bring expertise in the technical, economic and climate policy aspects of biomass availability, processing and use? Are you excited to work in a diverse, multi-disciplinary and international team? Then, this is the perfect opportunity for you! Reaching a climate-neutral industry will require unprecedented investments in a wide range of GHG mitigation technologies, due to the sector’s inherent complexity and regional diversity. While a significant share of emissions can be reduced by advancing energy efficiency and expanding direct electrification powered by renewable energy, there is also the need for more complex and costly measures as well as alternative feedstocks for processes, where biomass and hydrogen technologies can be implemented. To tap into this potential, climate-effective biomass uses in industry require thorough understanding of availability and costs across different regions to give recommendations on policies that help to decarbonise industry in a competitive way, incorporating ecological sustainability boundaries. Under the umbrella of the Agora Think Tanks, Agora Industry develops politically feasible and science-based strategies and solutions for the transformation to climate neutrality – in Germany, Europe, and internationally. As a think tank and policy lab we facilitate a productive exchange of ideas amongst stakeholders from politics, business, science and civil society. As a non-partisan, non-profit organisation funded by foundations and public institutions, we are independent of corporate and partisan interests. Our exclusive mission is to serve the climate and the common good.

To strengthen our team, we are looking for a

Project Manager or Project Officer Biomass Value Chains (f/m/d) Full- or part-time (min. 32 hours)– based in Berlin

You will work on the supply side of biomass as a feedstock for hard-to-electrify applications in industry. The geographical scope will be global, covering different conditions and contexts that vary across geographies. This position is part of Agora Industry’s central Technologies & Analysis team, working closely with regional teams.

Your Responsibilities Include

• Contributing to the development and implementation of international projects focused on climate-effective biomass solutions for industrial decarbonisation, encompassing farm- and forest-level availability, logistics and conversion technologies, as well as biomass supply for industrial carbon dioxide removal (CDR).
• Analysing biomass supply costs, availability and potentials for different agriculture and forestry products across multiple geographies, taking into account competing uses in different sectors and market implications.
• Conducting and coordinating projects on biomass for industrial applications and related technological enablers and policy support mechanisms
• Analysing policy and regulatory gaps that hinder biomass use in various regions with a focus on economic, regulatory, and governance frameworks.
• Monitoring the development of technology and business models related to the scaling, mobilization and system integration of biomass value chains and logistics.
• Supporting stakeholder engagement with policymakers, industry, civil society, funders, among others, to inform discussions around biomass applications across different industry sectors.
• Pro-actively contributing to building partnerships and working closely with network partners across the globe.
• Liaising with expert colleagues across the Agora Think Tanks (including Agora Agriculture) to facilitate their contributions to projects and knowledge sharing across different regions.
• Actively contributing to internal discussions.
• Managing subcontractors including preparing agreements and work plans, supervising and guiding project progress, and managing the quality of deliverables.
• As Project Officer, the focus is on contributing to the technical management of specific projects with smaller budget, largely independent research, contributing to the conceptualisation and development of complex topics, and of project-related reporting and communication.
• As Project Manager, the focus is on technical management and responsibility for specific projects with smaller budgets, independent comprehensive research, conceptualisation and development of complex topics, technical supervision of students and interns, and project-related reporting and communication.

We Are Looking For

• A Master’s degree in energy, environmental engineering or forestry/agriculture engineering, natural sciences, renewable energies, agricultural economist, or similar
• As Project Officer: Preferably 2 years of experience (including internships, student work or post-graduate roles) in the field of quantitative analysis of biomass systems.
• As Project Manager: At least 4 years of overall professional experience, with 2 years specifically in the field of biomass
• A proven track record and expertise in biomass supply cost, transport logistics and conversion technologies.
• Solid knowledge of the farming and forestry sectors.
• Familiarity with agricultural systems and ideally forest systems in different world regions is a plus.
• Good background understanding of industrial transformation is a plus.
• Experience with Life-Cycle Assessment is a plus.
• Familiarity with sustainable biomass certification and deforestation-free frameworks is a plus.
• Strong networking skills and the ability to engage with business, industry associations, research partners and policy makers.
• A creative and result-oriented mind, capable of developing new ideas and proposals with a view to having impact.
• Outstanding communication skills, both verbal and written; track-record in writing high quality documents.
• Full command of the English language in reading and writing, knowledge of other languages is a plus.
• Willingness to travel outside Europe.

We assume that there are excellent candidates for the job who do not meet all the criteria in the description. Maybe you have certain skills we haven’t thought of yet? Tell us why you are the right person for the job.

What we offer

• An opportunity to work in a mission-driven, highly motivated, and professional international team.
• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement; including access to a mental well-being platform.
• Flexible working hours and a hybrid work environment, with access to an attractive office space in central Berlin and a good setup to work from home.
• Weekly breakfast, team events and other get-togethers with colleagues from around the globe.
• One option from our benefit basket (e.g. job ticket, shopping vouchers, Urban Sports, etc.).
• Opportunities for professional and personal development and advancement.
• Entitlement of 29 paid leave days per year (5-days working week); 24th & 31st December off-work.
• A cooperative working atmosphere with flat communication and decision-making hierarchies.
• Assistance with visa and work permits for international candidates if required.
• A structured onboarding programme and regular team and organisation-wide retreats to bring us all together; and
• A full or part-time role, initially limited to two years.

How to apply

We assume that there are excellent candidates for the job who do not meet all the criteria

in the description. Maybe you have certain skills we haven’t thought of yet? Tell us why you are the right person for the job. We look forward to receiving your application by 30th of September 2026 via our website. For reasons of objectivity, we ask that you refrain from submitting an application photo. We want an energy transition for everyone from everyone. Therefore, we are particularly pleased to receive applications from people from groups that have been underrepresented in energy and industrial policy. We welcome applications regardless of gender and gender identity, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability and age, and sexual orientation. Our offices are not completely barrier-free, but we are open to find individual solutions. As part of this, we are soliciting anonymous information on a voluntary basis regarding our applicant’s background. This information will be used only to inform future recruitment strategies and will not impact hiring decisions in any form. Your input will not be forwarded to third parties and will not be used in connection with your application. Please follow this link to participate in the survey: https://limes.sefep.eu/index.php/833735?lang=en

Personal Contact For The Position

If you have any questions, please contact Fatima Saleh at fatima.saleh@agora-thinktanks.org