Vacancy: Lead Researcher to Assist with Geothermal Carbon Credits Financing Modelling

Vacancy: Lead Researcher to Assist with Geothermal Carbon Credits Financing Modelling

Mar 12, 2026

Job Title       : Lead Researcher to assist with geothermal carbon credits financing modelling.

Type              : Contract

Location       : RECLICKS Purnomo Yusgiantoro Center (PYC) and FINCAPES Offices

Duration       : 6-month contract (extension possible based on performance )

Background

The Flood Impacts, Carbon Pricing, and Ecosystem Sustainability (FINCAPES) project is a collaborative, gender-responsive initiative which supports Indonesia to adapt to and mitigate climate change while conserving biodiversity in a socially and economically sustainable manner. Funded by Global Affairs Canada as part of Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, this 5.5-year project is jointly undertaken by the University of Waterloo's Faculty of Mathematics and Faculty of Environment.

FINCAPES responds to Indonesia's priorities and aspirations for research, innovation, and collaboration to safeguard its most vulnerable resources and communities, and to promote and catalyze a sustainable and climate-resilient Indonesia. The project will enhance Indonesia's capacity within government agencies, universities, and associated partners in three key areas: forecasting and mitigating financial impacts of climate change-exacerbated flood risks; accelerating application and replication of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for peatland and mangrove restoration and conservation to enhance climate change adaptation and mitigation; and strengthening climate change policy frameworks with major focus on carbon financing mechanisms, including carbon markets and offsets.

One of the FINCAPES Project components (component 1300), is designed to support Indonesia in addressing the increasing challenges and opportunities brought about by climate change, with a particular focus on climate finance. Under this component, FINCAPES will collaborate with the Purnomo Yusgiantoro Center (PYC) to establish and operationalize a Center of Excellence for Climate Finance Policy, Research, and Training. This center will play a vital role in overcoming the financial challenges of climate action in Indonesia, particularly in achieving the country’s energy transition targets. Through the development of innovative financial mechanisms,  capacity  building,  research,  and  policy advocacy,  the  collaboration seeks  to empower communities, governments, policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders to drive the energy transition forward.

Activity Context

A central component of this collaboration is the establishment of RECLICKS (Research for Climate Change and Knowledge Sharing) Indonesia, a Center of Excellence for Climate Finance Policy, Research, and Training.  This center will  play  a  crucial  role  in  addressing the financial challenges of climate action in Indonesia, especially the clean energy target. RECLICKS Indonesia will drive innovative financial mechanisms, capacity building, research, and policy advocacy to empower communities, governments, policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders in advancing the energy transition. Introducing RECKLICS to the public is essential for disseminating knowledge to a wider audience, fostering equitable participation, including gender-inclusive approaches. RECLICKS Indonesia will build on PYC’s existing strengths in energy and resource policy research while leveraging the University of Waterloo’s expertise in climate finance,  sustainability,  and  applied  research.

Central to achieving this vision is the role of catalytic research, which serves as the foundation for the center’s activities and its credibility as a leading authority in climate finance. The primary objective of catalytic research is to undertake comprehensive studies on key elements of climate finance in Indonesia.

Building on the catalytic research "Enhancing Geothermal Carbon Financing through Data-Driven Marginal Emission Analysis for Policy Reform in Indonesia ", this research proposal seeks to enhance geothermal carbon financing by deploying data-driven methodologies to model Marginal Emission Factors (MEF) for geothermal integration into Indonesia's national grid. The study addresses undervaluation of geothermal credits in mechanisms like the Indonesia Carbon Exchange (IDX Carbon), advocating for premium pricing and offsets to support energy transition goals, net-zero emissions by 2060, and ecosystem sustainability in flood-prone regions. Key stakeholders include the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE), and PLN.

Objectives of the Position

The research emphasizes innovative financial mechanisms, capacity building, research, and policy advocacy to empower communities, governments, policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders in achieving Indonesia's Enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

The objective is to hire a qualified Researcher to oversee the implementation of the research proposal, ensuring alignment with FINCAPES goals of strengthening carbon financing frameworks, promoting data-driven policy reforms, and fostering ecosystem sustainability through geothermal expansion and carbon market innovations.

Scope of Work and Key Responsibilities

Work alongside the Project Officer, the Researcher will lead a multidisciplinary team in executing the 12-month research roadmap, focusing on data collection, MEF modeling, policy simulations, and dissemination. Responsibilities include:

  1. Team Management and Coordination: Assemble and supervise a team; delegate tasks across phases (Preparation and Data Acquisition, Model Development and Testing, Policy Analysis and Simulation, Dissemination and Publication); ensure iterative feedback and collaboration with partners like PGE, PLN, ESDM, DEN, and PYC.
  2. Data Collection and Integration: Oversee aggregation of hourly data from PGE Working Areas (WKPs), PLN grid operations (load profiles, fuel prices, transmission data), and public datasets; incorporate spatial (e.g., Java vs. Sumatra grid congestion) and temporal variables (e.g., peak/off-peak hours); ensure compliance with Indonesia's Personal Data Protection Law using tools like Python libraries (pandas, numpy).
  3. Modeling and Analysis: Lead development of MEF models using merit order displacement simulations (e.g., XGBoost for causal inference), spatial-temporal analysis (time-series clustering), and validation techniques (cross-validation, sensitivity analysis); quantify lifecycle GHG emissions reductions, including displaced grid generation, non-CO2 emissions (e.g., H2S, fugitive CO2), and financial outcomes (NPV, IRR, payback periods).
  4. Policy Simulation and Recommendations: Model scenarios for carbon trading revenues under NEK, voluntary, and international credits; identify barriers (economic, environmental, social, regulatory, institutional) to geothermal scalability; develop gender-responsive, socially equitable policy recommendations to optimize NEK implementation and align with global standards (VCS, Gold Standard).
  5. Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Building: Facilitate workshops, policy dialogues, and training programs on data-driven climate finance; engage international investors (e.g., from Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy) and global buyers (e.g., Google, Microsoft) to promote 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy (CFE) standards; advocate through the RECLICKS Center of Excellence.
  6. Dissemination and Outputs: Produce publishable deliverables, including peer-reviewed papers (e.g., in Energy Policy, Climate Policy), methodological working papers, policy briefs, interactive dashboards, simulation datasets, and training modules; present at forums like the Indonesia Climate Finance Forum; ensure open-access sharing for broader knowledge dissemination.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential
  • PhD in Energy Economics, Environmental Engineering, Data Science, or related field, with 3+ years of post-PhD experience in renewable energy research.
  • At least 5 years in research leadership, preferably in climate finance, renewable energy, or carbon markets; demonstrated experience in data-driven modeling (e.g., MEF, merit order simulations) and policy reform in emerging markets.
  • Proficiency in Python (pandas, numpy, XGBoost, PuLP) for data analysis and modeling; expertise in GHG emissions quantification, financial modeling (NPV, IRR), and spatial-temporal analysis; familiarity with carbon pricing mechanisms (NEK, IDX Carbon, VCS) and global standards.
  • Demonstrated leadership in multi-stakeholder projects, including capacity building for diverse teams.
Desirable
  • Knowledge of Indonesian energy policies (e.g., Geothermal Law, GREM) and climate finance (e.g., carbon markets).
  • Fluency in Bahasa Indonesia and English; prior collaborations with MEMR, PYC, or international donors like World Bank/ADB.
  • Track record in policy influence, such as briefs adopted by government or tools used in decision-making.
Personal Attributes
  • Commitment to FINCAPES' values: Collaborative, inclusive, and innovative, with sensitivity to Indonesia's cultural and gender dynamics.
  • Excellent communication skills for diverse audiences, from technical peers to community leaders

Reporting and Supervision

The Researcher will report to and collaborate closely with Project Officer for the FINCAPES 1300 or Climate Finance Component. 

How to Apply:

Application Deadline for submission: 19 March 2026

Submit your application (CV/Resume and a cover letter) through the following link:

https://bit.ly/1300-LRVacancy

Only short-listed proposal will be notified and contacted for further step of the process. Applications received after the deadline or incomplete applications will not be considered.