Vidhi Centre invites applications for a Research Fellow role in climate and ecosystems policy.
About the Organisation
is an independent legal think tank engaged in research-driven institutional reform across multiple areas of public law and governance in India. Established with the objective of strengthening evidence-based policymaking, Vidhi works closely with government ministries, parliamentary bodies, regulatory institutions, and civil society organisations to design implementable legal solutions for complex governance challenges.
Over the years, the organisation has contributed significantly to reforms in constitutional law, judicial administration, technology regulation, economic governance, and environmental law. Through its research verticals, Vidhi develops policy papers, legislative drafts, consultation reports, and analytical studies that influence institutional decision-making processes across sectors.
The Climate & Ecosystems vertical of Vidhi Centre focuses specifically on environmental regulation, biodiversity governance, sustainability frameworks, and climate adaptation strategies. Its work engages directly with statutory interpretation, legislative developments, parliamentary tracking, and ecosystem governance reforms at the national level.
About the Opportunity
Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy is inviting applications for the position of Research Fellow under its Climate & Ecosystems vertical for 2026. This role offers a strong opportunity for candidates interested in environmental law, legislative reform processes, and interdisciplinary climate governance research to contribute to ongoing policy initiatives with national impact.
The selected candidate will work at the intersection of environmental legislation, biodiversity protection frameworks, and parliamentary research concerning climate governance in India. The position involves analysing statutory developments, supporting regulatory reform research, and contributing to publications addressing ecosystem governance challenges.
The Research Fellow will participate in drafting policy briefs, preparing background research papers, and supporting institutional engagement initiatives involving government stakeholders and partner organisations. The role also includes tracking environmental law developments emerging from parliamentary committees and legislative amendments affecting sustainability frameworks.
This opportunity is particularly suited for candidates planning careers in environmental law research, climate policy advisory roles, or sustainability governance institutions.
Nature of Work and Responsibilities
The Research Fellow will undertake analytical research relating to parliamentary developments affecting environmental legislation and ecosystem governance in India. This includes monitoring bills, amendments, committee recommendations, regulatory notifications, and executive policy decisions relevant to climate governance frameworks.
The role also involves tracking biodiversity protection initiatives and analysing statutory reforms affecting natural resource management systems. Selected candidates will contribute to drafting policy reports, consultation notes, legislative summaries, and background papers supporting Vidhi’s research outputs.
The Fellow will assist in stakeholder consultations involving government agencies, research institutions, and civil society partners engaged in environmental governance reforms. Coordination support for meetings, policy dissemination initiatives, and institutional collaborations will also form part of the role.
In addition, the position may involve assisting with research-related programme development and supporting knowledge dissemination across academic and policy networks.
Areas of Work Exposure
Environmental legislation monitoring
Climate governance frameworks
Biodiversity conservation policy research
Parliamentary proceedings tracking
Stakeholder consultation processes
Policy report drafting and dissemination
Legal research on ecosystem regulation
Through these engagements, the selected candidate will develop a strong understanding of interdisciplinary sustainability governance and legislative reform mechanisms in India.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants for the position are expected to demonstrate strong legal or policy research experience with a clear interest in environmental regulation and climate governance frameworks. Familiarity with parliamentary processes, legislative tracking methodologies, and institutional policymaking structures will be particularly valuable for this role.
Candidates should possess excellent analytical writing skills and the ability to engage with interdisciplinary research teams working across environmental law, governance systems, and sustainability policy initiatives.
Prior exposure to biodiversity law, environmental regulatory institutions, or ecosystem governance research will be considered an advantage.
Skills and Learning Outcomes
The Research Fellow position provides meaningful exposure to legislative reform processes affecting climate governance and biodiversity protection frameworks in India. Candidates will develop expertise in analysing parliamentary proceedings, interpreting statutory amendments, and preparing policy-oriented research outputs supporting environmental regulation reforms.
The role strengthens professional experience in stakeholder consultation processes and institutional engagement with government agencies and research collaborators working in sustainability governance. It also provides opportunities to contribute to nationally relevant policy reports addressing emerging environmental law challenges.
Candidates interested in careers in environmental litigation support, policy think tanks, international climate governance institutions, or legislative advisory roles will benefit significantly from the interdisciplinary exposure offered through this position.
Location and Role Details
Location: New Delhi
Role: Research Fellow – Climate & Ecosystems Vertical
Organisation: Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy
Important Date
Last date to apply: April 26, 2026
Interested candidates must submit their applications through the official application link provided by Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy.
