Position Summary

The Senior Advisor on the U.S. Maritime Industry provides expert review of the study's findings on U.S.-flagged shipping economics, U.S. shipyard implications, and compatibility with the 2026 U.S. Maritime Action Plan. This is a light-touch advisory engagement designed to ground the study's analysis in operational reality and ensure the recommendations are sound from the perspective of U.S. industry operators.

Key Responsibilities

1. Review Task 2 U.S. industry impact findings and Task 3 sectoral case studies; provide written and oral feedback to the Principal Investigator.

2. Advise on operational realities of U.S.-flagged shipping under Jones Act and international trades, including capital cycle, fuel switching feasibility, and workforce implications.

3. Provide perspective on demand effects for U.S.-built vessels and shipyard order books under NZF scenarios.

4. Participate in two to three project briefings over the period of performance, contributing industry perspective to the report's framing.

5. Identify additional industry experts or operational case studies where useful, consistent with the advisor's professional standards.

Required Qualifications

1. Senior executive experience (15+ years) in U.S.-flagged shipping, U.S. shipyards, or U.S. maritime industrial policy.

2. Direct operational understanding of U.S. shipping economics, including Jones Act trades and international operations.

3. Capacity to engage at a senior advisory level under a federal cooperative agreement (no organizational conflicts of interest with the study's evaluative scope).

Preferred Qualifications

1. Prior senior role at a U.S.-flagged carrier, U.S. shipyard, MARAD, or a U.S. maritime industry association (in advisor capacity, not active lobbying role).

2. Familiarity with the 2026 U.S. Maritime Action Plan and Title XI federal financing instruments.

3. Recognized standing within the U.S. maritime community.

Disqualifying Factors

1. Current executive role at any organization actively lobbying on the NZF or related IMO measures.

2. Active financial interest in any specific shipping company or shipyard whose competitive position would be materially affected by NZF outcomes.

Position Summary

The Senior Advisor on International Maritime Regulation provides expert review of the study's findings on NZF mechanism design, international negotiating dynamics, and the framing of U.S. negotiating positions. This is a light-touch advisory engagement intended to bring deep institutional expertise to the project's interpretation and recommendations without day-to-day involvement in the analytical work.

Key Responsibilities

1. Review Task 1 alternatives inventory and Task 4 recommendations chapters; provide written and oral feedback to the Principal Investigator.

2. Advise on the realistic political and procedural pathways for U.S. engagement with the NZF, including MEPC and intersessional dynamics.

3. Participate in two to three project briefings over the period of performance, contributing senior perspective on framing for U.S. policymaker audiences.

4. Make introductions to relevant U.S. and international experts where appropriate and consistent with the advisor's professional standards.

5. Provide a brief written endorsement or reflection that may be included in the report's preface, at the advisor's discretion.

Required Qualifications

1. Senior career experience (15+ years) in U.S. federal government, multilateral institutions, or senior academic / think tank positions covering international maritime or environmental regulation.

2. Documented experience with IMO MEPC processes, ideally including direct participation in U.S. delegations or other senior advisory capacities.

3. Recognized standing in the relevant policy community, sufficient to lend credibility to the study's findings.

4. Capacity to engage at a senior advisory level under a federal cooperative agreement (no conflicts of interest with the study's evaluative scope).

Preferred Qualifications

1. Prior service at MARAD, U.S. State Department (OES), EPA Office of International Affairs, U.S. Coast Guard international policy office, or comparable role.

2. Senior fellow or affiliated scholar status at a U.S. think tank with energy or maritime policy program.

3. Track record of publishing on the political economy of international environmental regulation.

Disqualifying Factors

1. Current senior leadership role at any organization actively lobbying on the NZF or related IMO measures.

2. Recent senior consulting engagements with shipping or fuel industry clients with financial stakes in NZF outcomes.

Position Summary

The Research Associate provides cross-cutting analytical, data, and production support to the entire team. This role acquires and processes the trade, vessel, energy, and economic datasets that underpin the analysis; produces data visualizations for the final report; and supports literature triage, citation management, and document production.

Key Responsibilities

1. Acquire, clean, and document datasets including BEA Industry Economic Accounts, USITC trade data, U.S. Census trade flows, Clarksons / S&P Global vessel data, and energy market data.

2. Build and maintain replication-ready data and code repositories for the Principal Economist's model runs.

3. Produce data visualizations and tables for the final report, ensuring accessibility compliance for META webpage publication.

4. Support literature triage under the Maritime Policy Analyst's direction, including citation management and source verification.

5. Provide document production support: formatting, copy editing, accessibility checks, and version control of deliverables.

6. Track and document all data sources, licenses, and provenance for the final report's methodology appendix.

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree (Master's preferred) in economics, public policy, data science, statistics, or related quantitative field.

2. Minimum 2 years of professional research experience post-degree.

3. Proficiency in R or Python; familiarity with Stata or other statistical software.

4. Demonstrated experience working with public trade, transportation, or economic datasets.

4. Strong attention to detail, particularly regarding citation accuracy and data provenance.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Familiarity with maritime, energy, or transportation datasets specifically.

2. Experience with data visualization tools (ggplot, Plotly, Tableau) and accessibility standards (WCAG).

3. Prior experience supporting federal contracts or cooperative agreements.

4. Working knowledge of reference management systems (Zotero, EndNote) and version control (Git).

Position Summary

The Maritime Policy Analyst leads Task 1 (Context and Background) and Task 3 (Specific Applications), providing the regulatory and policy substrate on which the quantitative analysis rests. This role owns the structured literature review, the U.S. interest inventory, the alternatives inventory (including a "No Action" baseline), the sectoral case studies, and the compatibility analysis with the 2026 U.S. Maritime Action Plan.

Key Responsibilities

1. Conduct the structured literature review using PRISMA-style inclusion criteria across IMO MEPC documentation, peer-reviewed economic literature, and industry and government grey literature.

2. Assemble the inventory of U.S. economic interests directly and indirectly affected by the NZF, mapped to specific commodity flows and industry segments.

3. Catalog known and credible alternatives to the NZF, including a No Action baseline and any convergence frameworks emerging from MEPC working groups.

4. Lead three to five sectoral deep-dive case studies in coordination with MARAD's project manager, including targeted expert interviews under Chatham House rules.

5. Evaluate compatibility and conflicts between the NZF and the 2026 U.S. Maritime Action Plan.

6. Co-author the policy framing chapters of the final report; ensure clarity and accessibility for non-technical policymaker audiences.

Required Qualifications

1. Master's degree (PhD preferred) in public policy, international relations, marine policy, or related field.

2. Minimum 5 years of professional experience tracking international maritime regulation, with documented familiarity with IMO MEPC processes.

3. Demonstrated ability to translate technical regulatory text into accessible policymaker-ready analysis.

4. Experience conducting structured literature reviews and expert interviews.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Prior federal or contractor experience supporting U.S. positions at IMO or other international regulatory bodies.

2. Familiarity with the U.S. Maritime Action Plan and related federal maritime industrial policy initiatives.

3. Existing professional contacts in U.S. shipping, port, agricultural export, or LNG export communities.

4. Strong writing record in policy briefs or industry-association publications on IMO measures.

Disqualifying Factors

1. Active employment by a shipping industry association, environmental advocacy organization, or fuel-industry lobbying entity whose positions on the NZF would create perceived bias.

2. Recent (within 2 years) leadership of advocacy campaigns on either side of IMO climate measures.

Position Summary

The Senior Energy Markets Analyst leads all fuel-pathway and energy-system analysis for the study, including cost trajectories for conventional bunker fuels, LNG, methanol, ammonia, biofuels, and onboard carbon capture. This role is critical to the quality of the NZF fuel intensity standard analysis and to the assessment of demand effects on U.S. energy suppliers, biofuels feedstocks, and downstream infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

1. Develop fuel cost and supply trajectories for each NZF compliance pathway, including capital and operating cost build-ups for retrofits, dual-fuel newbuilds, and onboard CCS.

2. Lead the analysis of demand effects on U.S. energy suppliers, with specific attention to U.S. biofuels feedstocks (agricultural sector linkages), methanol production, LNG bunker supply, and conventional refined products.

3. Assess the feasibility and realistic deployment trajectory of carbon capture and storage technology for maritime applications.

4. Author the fuel and energy chapters of the final report, including techno-economic comparison tables and uncertainty discussions.

5. Provide fuel cost inputs to the Principal Economist's cost model and review fuel-related findings in deliverables.

Required Qualifications

1. Master's or PhD in energy economics, energy systems engineering, chemical engineering with energy focus, or a closely related field.

2. Minimum 8 years of post-degree professional experience in energy markets analysis, with a substantive portfolio in alternative or transportation fuels.

3. Demonstrated familiarity with lifecycle analysis methods (e.g., GREET model) and techno-economic assessment of energy pathways.

4. Track record of authoring or substantially contributing to published analyses on alternative fuels, refinery economics, or related topics.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Direct experience with maritime fuel markets (bunker supply chains, port fueling infrastructure, vessel fuel switching economics).

2. Prior federal sector experience: EIA, DOE, national laboratory (Argonne, NREL, PNNL), or major federal contractor.

3. Familiarity with the 2024 IMO Comprehensive Impact Assessment fuel pathway analysis.

4. Experience translating engineering and energy-system analysis for policy and economic audiences.

Disqualifying Factors

1. Current employment by or financial interest in a fuel producer, technology vendor, or industry association whose products or positions would be evaluated under this study.

2. Concurrent advocacy role in fuel-policy debates likely to overlap with study findings.

Position Summary

The Principal Economist leads the quantitative economic analysis at the core of the study, including direct cost modeling for U.S. shipping interests, input-output modeling of indirect effects through U.S. supply chains, and the structured comparison of NZF as proposed against alternative designs and a "No Action" baseline. The Principal Economist owns the analytical framework, model code, and quantitative findings reported in the final deliverables.

Key Responsibilities

1. Design and execute the direct cost model for representative U.S. vessel classes under each NZF instrument; document assumptions, parameters, and sensitivity ranges.

2. Build or adapt an input-output framework using BEA Industry Economic Accounts (and IMPLAN regional multipliers where appropriate) to trace indirect effects through U.S. supply chains.

3. Construct the comparative scenario matrix: NZF as proposed, three alternative designs, a No Action baseline, and 1-, 3-, and 5-year delay scenarios; normalize outputs to per-TEU and per-ton metrics.

4. Author the quantitative sections of the final report; produce data tables, sensitivity discussions, and method appendices.

5. Coordinate closely with the Senior Energy Markets Analyst on fuel cost trajectories and with the Maritime Policy Analyst on scenario inputs.

Required Qualifications

1. PhD in economics with applied modeling specialization (CGE, partial equilibrium, or input-output).

2. Demonstrated record of building or substantially contributing to applied economic models published in peer-reviewed journals or federal reports.

3. Hands-on proficiency with at least one of: GTAP, USAGE, or comparable CGE framework; or extensive applied I-O experience with BEA data and IMPLAN.

4. Strong programming skills in R, Python, GAMS, or comparable analytical environment.

5. Experience producing transparent, replicable analyses with documented assumptions suitable for federal client review.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Prior modeling work on maritime, shipping, or international transportation policy.

2. Familiarity with U.S. trade data sources (BEA, USITC, Census Trade) and commodity-specific elasticity literature.

3. Experience producing analyses for U.S. negotiators or trade-policy decision-makers.

4. Publication record in journals such as the Journal of Environmental Economics & Management, Energy Economics, Energy Policy, or Transportation Research.

Disqualifying Factors

1. Active lobbying registration related to IMO measures, U.S. shipping policy, or marine fuel markets.

2. Financial interest in shipping companies, fuel suppliers, or technology vendors likely to be evaluated under this study.

3. Concurrent senior leadership role in advocacy organizations on either side of the NZF debate.

Position Summary

The Principal Investigator (PI) provides overall technical direction, upholds scientific integrity, and serves as GCPA's senior representative. The PI serves as primary liaison to the client, leads the integration of analytical work across the team, and is the lead author and final editor of the project's deliverables, including the final report intended for public release.

Key Responsibilities

1. Set and maintain the technical direction of the study, ensuring analytical integration across team members and consistency of methods.

2. Serve as primary point of contact for client's project manager and AOR; lead biweekly project coordination calls, monthly progress memos, and ad hoc briefings.

3. Lead authorship of the final report and executive briefing; review and approve all deliverables prior to submission.

4. Manage subject-matter quality assurance: conduct or oversee technical peer review of team members' contributions.

5. Coordinate with senior advisors on regulatory and industry-facing review; resolve technical disagreements within the team.

6. Represent GCPA in interactions with other federal agencies and stakeholder organizations as required.

Required Qualifications

1. PhD in economics, public policy, or a closely related discipline.

2. Minimum 15 years of applied policy economics experience post-PhD, with a substantial record of leading research projects of comparable scope.

3. Demonstrated experience leading federal contracts, cooperative agreements, or comparable federally funded research; familiarity with 2 CFR 200 and federal financial reporting.

4. Track record of peer-reviewed publication on shipping, trade, climate policy, or a related field.

5. Experience producing decision-grade analysis for senior federal audiences (agency heads, congressional staff, or interagency principals).

Preferred Qualifications

1. Prior federal advisory or fellowship experience (DOT, MARAD, USTR, State, EPA, or comparable).

2. Direct familiarity with the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) process and the 2023 IMO Revised GHG Strategy / 2024 Comprehensive Impact Assessment.

3. Existing professional network in U.S. maritime, energy, or trade policy communities.

4. Experience managing a multidisciplinary research team under compressed timelines.

Disqualifying Factors

1. Active lobbying registration related to IMO measures, U.S. shipping policy, or marine fuel markets.

2. Financial interest in shipping companies, fuel suppliers, or technology vendors likely to be evaluated under this study.

3. Concurrent senior leadership role in advocacy organizations on either side of the NZF debate.

Location: Remote (Global)

Commitment: 5–8 hours per week

Position Summary

Are you a marketing professional looking to leverage your skills for global impact? The Global Consortium of Political Analysts (GCPA) is seeking a dedicated Volunteer Marketing & Campaign Lead to drive our strategic marketing efforts. This pivotal role will be responsible for developing, launching, and evaluating the success of diverse campaigns that promote our global political analysis work, drive crucial fundraising initiatives, and recruit key contributors—from expert academic researchers to essential research assistants. You will be instrumental in expanding our reach and amplifying the influence of our experts on the global stage.

Key Responsibilities

• Campaign Strategy & Development: Design and outline comprehensive marketing plans for various objectives, including promoting GCPA's research, soliciting donations, and contributor recruitment.

• Launch & Execution: Oversee the successful launch and execution of all marketing campaigns across relevant digital and traditional channels.

• Content Collaboration: Work closely with the GCPA leadership and communications team to ensure campaign messaging is accurate, compelling, and aligned with our organizational mission.

• Performance Evaluation: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and utilize analytical tools to monitor campaign progress, evaluate success, and provide clear recommendations for future improvements.

• Brand Awareness: Contribute to general brand awareness initiatives, positioning GCPA as a leading source for objective, high-quality political analysis.

Qualifications

• Proven Marketing Experience: 2+ years of professional experience in marketing, digital marketing, or campaign management (volunteer experience welcome).

• Strategic Mindset: Ability to think strategically about marketing objectives and translate them into actionable plans.

• Project Management Skills: Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines efficiently.

• Data-Driven Approach: Comfort using analytics to measure campaign performance and inform strategy adjustments.

• Commitment to Mission: A passion for the GCPA's mission and the integrity of global political analysis.

• Self-Motivated: Ability to work effectively and independently in a remote, self-directed environment.

Benefits of Volunteering with GCPA

This is an opportunity to make a tangible difference and gain invaluable experience:

• Global Networking. Work directly with a Global Consortium of Political Experts, academics, and thought leaders from around the world.

• Significant Impact. Directly contribute to campaigns that fund critical research, influence global policy discussions, and expand public understanding of complex political issues.

• Portfolio Building. Gain concrete, measurable results for your professional portfolio through developing and evaluating successful campaigns with a global scope.

• Flexibility. Enjoy the flexibility of a remote position with a manageable time commitment that fits your schedule (5–8 hours/week).

• Mission Alignment. Align your professional skills with a not-for-profit dedicated to integrity, objectivity, and impact.

Calling Thought Leaders

Location: Remote and Global

Qualifications: PhD or PhD Candidates

The Global Consortium of Political Analysts (GCPA) advances informed policymaking and promotes critical civic literacy through rigorous, collaborative, and culturally sensitive research on pressing political, security, and humanitarian challenges. By pairing local, in-country experts with internationally recognized specialists, GCPA produces nuanced, evidence-based insights that empower policymakers and enrich civic participation. Our commitment to analytical integrity and cultural sensitivity guides our multidisciplinary teams in collecting and interpreting primary-source data across diverse languages, fostering inclusive dialogue and data-driven approaches to advance cooperation, resilient societies, and responsible governance.

Join the team and further extend the impact of your research!

By joining the roster at GCPA, you will receive updates on research funding that is tailored to your area of interest. With the assistance of GCPA and in collaboration with other experts on the roster, we work together to promote your contributions to your field and global impact.

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