Graduate Research Assistant Program
The Climate Jobs Institute’s Research Assistantship Program is an applied research experience at the intersection of clean energy, labor policy, and workforce development.
Research Assistants at the Climate Jobs Institute help inform Illinois’ clean energy transition — centering workers, communities, and job quality — while building practical research skills and working closely with experienced mentors.
The deadline to apply for the 2026-2027 academic year was March 13, 2026. We are no longer accepting applications.
Interested graduate students may email climate-jobs@illinois.edu to learn more about when we are accepting new applicants.
Do research that matters
CJI Research Assistants contribute to real-world research used by policymakers, advocates, labor leaders, and community partners. Past and current projects include:
- Conducting focus groups and co-authoring our Federal Rollbacks, Local Impacts reports on federal clean energy tax credit changes and workforce impacts
- Compiling and synthesizing data for the Illinois Clean Energy Jobs Regional Data Packets, used statewide by clean energy stakeholders
- Analyzing socioeconomic impacts of coal plant and coal mine closures
- Transcribing oral histories and archiving photographs to document coal workers’ stories
- Interviewing solar workers and analyzing job quality and working conditions
- Conducting background research on clean energy manufacturing in Illinois
- Evaluating the economic impacts of solar and wind investments on jobs and utility bills
- Researching state and municipal policies related to data centers and energy use
…and much more.
Mentorship & learning
Research Assistants are mentored by experienced CJI staff and gain:
- Hands-on experience with qualitative and quantitative research
- Exposure to Illinois clean energy policy and labor standards
- Opportunities to collaborate across disciplines and projects
- Professional development support and constructive feedback
Who should apply
University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign graduate students in fields including (but not limited to) Economics, Public Policy, Urban Planning, Sociology, Labor and Industrial Relations, or related social science or policy-focused fields. Applicants must be enrolled at the University of Illinois for the duration of the assistantship.
Time commitment & compensation
- Fall & Spring: 20 hours per week (preferred)
- Summer: Up to 40 hours per week
- Location: In person, with office space in the Labor and Employment Relations Building
- Tuition benefits (for students eligible for a tuition waiver)
- Stipend or hourly pay
What our Research Assistants say
“Being part of a collaborative, supportive, and mission-driven team taught me not only technical skills but also the importance of working with purpose, which encouraged my professional growth. This opportunity significantly strengthened my capabilities and solidified my passion for integrating climate justice with community development as a planner.” –Anukriti Mehta, Master of Urban Planning, CJI RA 2024-2025
“I received great feedback and support from the CJI team. CJI does an excellent job of combining quantitative and qualitative research, which has helped me view policies from a different perspective and conduct analysis with broader considerations.” –Zichang Liu, PhD Candidate in Economics, CJI RA 2025-2026.
Questions about our Research Assistantship?
Contact climate-jobs@illinois.edu
Job Openings
We currently do not have any staff job openings, but feel free to contact us (climate-jobs@illinois.edu), and we can let you know when we have openings.
Collaborate with Us
The Climate Jobs Institute seeks to collaborate with researchers, institutes, and centers at the University of Illinois and elsewhere that do research at the intersection of clean energy, labor, workforce and economic development, and public policy. Please reach out to discuss opportunities for collaboration and funding.
We are also interested in engaging with union labor, state agencies, policy makers, environmental advocacy organizations, community-based organizations, and more. We want to hear from you about the research needs that will support an equitable clean energy transition. Your input can help us shape our research agenda! Email climate-jobs@illinois.edu to set up a meeting to discuss ideas for collaboration and research.