Job Title: Student Assistant - AI tool research
Team: Digital Enablement Team
Contract: Part-time (max 20 hours per week), 1-year fixed term contract available for students
Location: Fully remote, based in Germany
Start Date: ASAP
Salary: compatible with non-for-profit organisation

ABOUT US

At Climate KIC, we are wholeheartedly committed to building a diverse and representative team and an inclusive workplace that values different life experiences and perspectives, and we encourage personal development, learning and growth.
When recruiting, we look to achieve diversity in the candidate pool. We actively encourage applications from underrepresented groups and are happy to consider reasonable adjustments that will foster success in potential colleagues from diverse backgrounds and life situations. And because our team has differing needs and personal circumstances, we offer a high degree of flexibility to accommodate working patterns. We’re happy to discuss your situation during the interview and see how best we can support you.
Don’t let Imposter Syndrome stop you from applying!
Climate KIC (Knowledge and Innovation Community) is Europe’s foremost climate innovation initiative. We understand that keeping global temperature rise below 1.5˚C demands unprecedented change. It requires new social dynamics, ways of doing business, capital flows, policymaking, economic models, and new ways of living. That is why our mission is to leverage the power of systems innovation to transform whole places, industries and value chains by 2030, working across sectors to develop and scale ambitious, mission-led programmes. Climate KIC’s strategy 2024-2030, Transformation, with Urgency, is available here.
Climate KIC operates as a not-for-profit platform working through public-private partnership, wielding both public and private funding. Established in 2010 and headquartered in Amsterdam, we orchestrate a community of more than 150 organisations including large corporations and SMEs, municipal and regional governments, universities and research institutes, as well as non-governmental organisations and civil society actors.
Climate KIC leads the implementation of the European Union’s Mission on Climate Neutral and Smart Cities and the launch pilot of the Mission on Climate-Adaptation both with the objective of catalysing rapid and deep transformation on a large scale, creating the precedent and economic transition conditions for demonstration, learning, capacity building, fast followership and investment. Achieving the EU Cities Mission will mean avoided scope 1 and 2 emissions alone of an estimated 0.7GT CO2e between now and 2040.
Climate KIC has a Remote-First strategy, where colleagues work remotely from home based in one of the countries where we have a branch or employing entity (and can work out of local offices or co-working seats, where they exist). We meet at our local offices to exchange and connect and use online collaboration tools to work with each other and with our community. On occasion, we meet in person as teams, and once per year as an organisation. As a mission-driven organisation dedicated to climate transformation, we consider the climate impact of our own actions, for example travel, catering, or IT equipment.

DESIRED CAPABILITIES:

• Curiosity & Learning Agility: Eagerness to explore new technologies, trends, and use cases in the rapidly evolving field of AI.
• Analytical & Research Skills: Ability to critically evaluate digital tools, compare functionalities, and match them with organisational needs.
• Communication: Clear and structured communication of complex ideas to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Digital Fluency: Understanding of how modern digital tools operate and integrate, particularly in collaborative and data-driven environments.
• Self-Management: Proactive attitude, ability to independently structure work, and deliver meaningful insights with minimal supervision.
• Purpose-Driven Mindset: Alignment with the foundation’s mission and motivation to contribute to climate impact through meaningful work.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Enrolled in a university programme (Bachelor or Master), preferably in a field related to innovation, sustainability, technology, or business. Other disciplines are welcome if the candidate demonstrates relevant interest or experience.
• Strong interest in artificial intelligence and its practical applications in real-world organisational contexts.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken.
• Demonstrated self-motivation, autonomy, and a collaborative spirit.
• Availability to work remotely with regular check-ins with the Digital Transformation Orchestrator and the broader Digital Team.
• Basic experience or familiarity with one or more of the following is a plus:
• Office 365 (e.g., Teams, Excel)
• SharePoint
• Notion
• Salesforce
• Structured Databases (e.g., SQL)
• Python (basic scripting or tool usage)

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Student Assistant will help shape the future of digital work at our organisation by scouting and assessing off-the-shelf AI tools with the potential to enhance our organisational impact and productivity. This position sits at the intersection of technology and business strategy, with a strong emphasis on practical application. By identifying relevant AI solutions and helping translate their capabilities into actionable practice for teams across the foundation, the role directly contributes to accelerating our mission through systems innovation.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

AI Tool Scouting Reports: Regularly deliver concise, well-researched summaries of off-the-shelf AI tools, including:

• Purpose and core features
• Potential use cases for the organisation
• Pricing models and access conditions
• Implementation feasibility (e.g., integrations with existing tools)

WHAT YOU WILL GAIN FROM THIS ROLE

At Climate-KIC, we believe in mutual growth. In this role you will benefit from:

• Hands-On Experience with Emerging Technologies: Gain practical exposure to cutting-edge AI tools and their real-world applications in a mission-driven organisation.
• Professional Development: Build your skills in digital research, tool evaluation, and strategic implementation — valuable assets for any future career in tech, innovation, or sustainability.
• Mentorship and Learning: Work closely with experienced professionals in digital transformation and systems innovation, with opportunities for feedback, learning, and growth.
• Impact-Driven Work: Contribute to meaningful climate action by helping our teams become more effective and digitally empowered.
• Flexible, Remote Work Environment: Enjoy the autonomy of remote work with structured support and regular check-ins, allowing you to balance your studies and professional development.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with a diverse, international community of innovators, researchers, and changemakers across Europe and beyond.