Job Opportunity

Position: Research Lead, Policy and Planning
Organization: Accelerating Community Energy Transformation
Location: Hybrid/remote position with expectation of some in-person time in Victoria BC. Preference will be given to applicants who are based in Victoria BC or willing to relocate.

Hiring Range: $80,000 to $100,000
Deadline for application: October 10, 2025 (or until filled)

About ACET

Accelerating Community Energy Transformation (ACET) is a multi-partner international initiative accelerating the global push for resilient and equitable clean energy solutions through local, community-based collaborations.

Established at the University of Victoria in 2023, ACET is a partnership between Royal Roads University, University of British Columbia, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, and Yukon University, supported by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund.

About the Facilitating Community Clean Energy Transformations Project

The Facilitating Community Clean Energy Transformations (FCCET) research project is a multi-year collaboration between ACET and the Community Energy Association (CEA). CEA is a Canadian, member-based, non-profit organization working since 1995 at the community level to reduce emissions, conserve energy and progressively transform to a low carbon, resilient economy.

The project’s goal is to improve and expand the tools and processes used to support communities who are seeking to understand and ultimately pursue their own clean energy transformations. To achieve this, the FCCET will take an applied research lens to some of the many community-based clean energy projects that CEA is involved with, as well as the approaches used to work with these communities. It is expected that research will be applied across several theme areas, including (but not limited to):

• Community energy systems
• Building energy policy and programs (building decarbonization)
• Transportation policy and infrastructure

Some examples of research topics the project could address include community engagement, AI assisted community decision making, complex systems “planning”, peer-network-generated problem identification and solution development, and labour force capacity development. The final list of research topics pursued will be determined by the project team through collaboration with CEA and communities engaged through the project. The project team will include the research co-leads, representatives from CEA, ACET management team, including ACET Research Managers, Engagement Manager, and Strategic Research Area (SRA) Leads as well as students (Master’s, Ph.D., Coop) from various academic backgrounds.

The research design and implementation will be undertaken in close collaboration between the project’s two Research Leads, the CEA, and the communities at the heart of each study.

About the research team approach 

For this project, we seek to hire two researchers with complementary skills and experience. One who will have relevant policy and planning expertise (this Job Posting) and the second will have relevant applied sciences expertise. The researchers are expected to work in close collaboration with one another and CEA’s Research Lead over the course of the project. In the project’s first year, the researchers will establish a detailed interdisciplinary research plan and take the actions needed to begin its implementation (e.g., ACET funding proposal, hire researchers etc.). The Leads will have considerable control over the broader research agenda with guidance from the Project’s Advisory Committee. The Committee is made up of Dr. Tamara Krawchenko, Dr. Curran Crawford, ACET CAS Engagement Manager, and representatives from CEA, and Provincial Government’s Climate Action Secretariat.

About the Lead Researcher roles

The Policy and Planning Lead (this Job Posting) will report directly to Dr. Tamara Krawchenko and the Applied Sciences Research Lead will report to Dr. Curran Crawford. The co-Leads will coordinate with ACET Research Managers and also work closely with a representative of CEA who is designated to liaise with ACET-supported research projects and provide regular updates to a Project Steering Committee. Over the course of the project, the Co-Lead’s time will be split between overseeing key elements of the broader FCCET project, including student researchers, and leading their own FCCET related research initiative in collaboration with the project team. It is expected that the first six-months of the role will focus largely on establishing the broader FCCET research project. As the project moves from concept to implementation, more of their time will be devoted to conducting research in collaboration with the project team.

What the Research Lead will do

• Collaborate with one or more representatives at CEA to identify research opportunities and develop a broader FCCET research agenda. It is expected that the agenda will include multiple streams of research.
• With support from CEA, consult with each of the community-based leads identified in the research agenda and modify the agenda as needed to ensure their perspectives are reflected in the final version.
• With the project team, lead the development of a fully scoped ACET Project focused on impact for local governments
• Recruit researchers who will lead specific streams of the broader FCCET project agenda.
• Formally and/or informally Co-supervise student researchers hired to lead specific streams of the broader FCCET project agenda subject to skillset, background, and research environment.
• Co-lead research with the project team.
• Help to ensure that the researchers leading the other streams of the project remain on schedule and are adequately supported to achieve their intended outcomes.
• Coordinate and report regularly to the project’s Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee (expected to be made up of representatives from CEA, ACET, the PI’s, the Research Lead, the Provincial Government, and each of the project’s researchers).
• Collaborate with ACET’s Communications Officer and Research Impact Officer on communications, storytelling and knowledge mobilization (such as presentations, policy briefs, brochures, or videos) to highlight research impact to the community, as well as preparation of academic manuscripts.
• Participate at conferences, seminars, and community events to promote knowledge sharing both within and outside the community.
• Ensure community members are brought alongside the research and participate in decision-making processes related to research design and deliverables.
• Uphold ACET’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and safe workplaces.
• Other duties as required.

What the Research Lead will bring

• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to manage research budgets
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate a team of researchers and mentor students
• Experience working with local governments and familiarity with BC’s local government context
• Qualitative and quantitative research abilities in relevant disciplines.
• Experience with supervising junior researchers
• Proven ability to collaborate on interdisciplinary research projects
• Experience writing, publishing, and producing research tailored to various audiences.
• Commitment to ongoing training to advance Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
• Commitment to continued training and implementation of principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion through research design and workplace practices.

Preferred qualifications of the Research Lead

• PhD Graduate with experience in regional development, public policy/administration, urban planning, resource management, community economic development, or other relevant disciplines.
• Knowledge or experience in community-engagement research.
• Knowledge or experience in community energy.
• Knowledge or experience in climate policy and programs.
• Knowledge or experience in labour force skills and training.
• Some management experience (e.g., managing budgets, managing research teams).

Core Competencies

• Supervision of junior researchers
• Policy analysis and development
• Stakeholder and community engagement
• Project management
• Strategic planning in public or non-profit sectors
• Understanding of government or institutional policy frameworks
• Team leadership and budget oversight

What we provide

• Salary - $80,000 to $100,000 annually depending on experience.
• 20 vacation days in addition to statutory holidays and UVic Christmas-New Years closure period
• Access to employee-funded extended benefit plans
• Professional development opportunities

Working Conditions

• This is a one-year, grant funded, full-time position with the opportunity for renewal.
• This is a hybrid-remote position with expectation of some in-person time in Victoria BC. Preference will be given to applicants who are based in Victoria BC or willing to relocate.
• Potential appointment as an adjunct professor with UVIC.
• Travel to participating communities is also expected and will be funded through ACET.
• Applicants must be permitted to work in Canada.

How to Apply

If you are ready to take on this exciting and impactful research opportunity, please submit your application to contactacet@uvic.ca with subject line “Community Energy Association Study”. The first applications will be reviewed on October 11, 2025 but applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Include the following in your application: a cover letter, CV, and a short writing sample (i.e., published article, thesis excerpt, policy document, knowledge mobilization piece; not mandatory, but will strengthen application). Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

Why Join Us?

This role offers an opportunity to make real-world impacts by supporting local governments and First Nations in BC and beyond to achieve their own clean energy transformation and build resilient local economies.

Accessibility and Equity

Information about our accessibility and equity policies can be found below and/or accessed using the navigation menu on the left.

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.