Research Associate in Edinburgh

Wood Mackenzie is the global leader in analytics, insights and proprietary data across the entire energy and natural resources landscape. For over 50 years our work has guided the decisions of the world’s most influential energy producers, utilities companies, financial institutions and governments. Now, with the world’s energy system more complex and interconnected than ever before, sector-specific views are no longer enough. That’s why we’ve redefined what’s possible with Intelligence Connected. By fusing our unparalleled proprietary data with the sharpest analytical minds, all supercharged by Synoptic AI, we deliver a clear, interconnected view of the entire value chain.

The Europe long-term power team is a collaborative group producing market-leading research in rapidly evolving electricity wholesale and ancillary markets across the continent. We work closely with Wood Mackenzie’s wider power and renewables service, developing market views with high-quality analysis of the value chains of solar PV, onshore and offshore wind, and energy storage. Our research is strengthened by our integration with the wider work of our commodities and energy transition groups, including fuels and carbon markets, and the analysis of emerging technologies, such as hydrogen and carbon capture and storage.

We are looking for a Research Associate to join our European power markets team, working at the forefront of one of the most dynamic sectors in the energy transition. You will drive market research and modelling, policy analysis, and power price and revenue forecasting across Europe — contributing directly to the high-quality insight our clients rely on. The team deploys advanced simulation, computational models, and data analytics to forecast power supply evolution, policy impacts, and the shifting economics of energy assets. You will collaborate closely with team colleagues and subject matter experts across Wood Mackenzie, deepening your understanding of European market dynamics while playing a tangible role in the commercial success and growth of our research.

Main Responsibilities

• Collect and analyse industry information and data and review market trends.
• Ensure that key data flows, including those to/from other research teams, meet agreed specifications on quality, scope, and timeliness.
• Work as part of a team to maintain, execute and operate our suite of simulation and computational models, and associated tools and processes, spanning power market dispatch, renewable resource availability forecasting, sectoral demand forecasting and more.
• Drive collaboration across the business by ensuring completion of complex ad-hoc data requests on time and with high quality, whilst following policies, procedures and best practices.

Requirements

• Applicable Bachelor’s degree or professional qualification with a quantitative, statistical, energy and/or economics focus.
• Wood Mackenzie follows a hybrid work structure, with a minimum of 2 days in the office.
• Applicants must have the legal Right to Work in the country this role is based in. We are unable to sponsor employment visas at this time.
• Strong collaboration skills and mindset to work cross-functionally.
• The ability to creatively problem-solve.
• An analytical mind and eye for detail.
• Great written and verbal communication.
• Fluency in another European language is beneficial.
• Willingness to learn about our business from the ground up.
• Entry-level position, but knowledge or experience in one or more of Europe’s major power markets and the implications of decarbonisation in the sector is highly desirable.
• You’ll have exceptional analytical/quantitative skills, with experience of modelling or commercial analysis in power markets highly desirable.
• Demonstrated interest in data analysis and the renewable energy or power sector.
• You should be comfortable working with large datasets and familiar with the tools necessary to handle and analyse them.
• Experience of programs such as Python, SQL and Power Query or optimisation models is an advantage.

What's in it for you

At Wood Mackenzie, you will have opportunities to engage in meaningful work and collaboration with international stakeholders, creating a positive and lasting impact, and find the support, coaching, and training you need to kick-start your career. We are committed to supporting our people to Thrive. We value different perspectives and aspire to create an inclusive environment that encourages diversity and fosters a sense of belonging.

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer. This means we are committed to recruiting the best people regardless of their race, colour, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, disability or protected veteran status.