AI tool research assistant

Job Title:  AI tool research assistant
Reports to/team: Digital Enablement Team
Contract:   Part-time role (80% FTE) until December 2026
Level: Foundation- Please refer to our Capability Framework 

Salary:  Competitive for Not-for-Profit Organisation  
Location: Remote-based in Austria, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, UK, Slovenia, Poland

Start date: As soon as possible

ABOUT US  

Climate KIC (Knowledge and Innovation Community) is a European based, Climate Innovation organisation working in 70+ countries globally. We understand that global temperature rise is exceeding 1.5C and this 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 programmes. Climate KIC’s strategy 2024-2030, Transformation, with Urgency, is available here.    

Climate KIC operates as a not-for-profit foundation 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 Adaptation to Climate Change, 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 approach, 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.   

About the role 

The Assistant will help shape the future of digital work at our organisation by scouting and assessing 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 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) 

AI Tool piloting:

Based on the research and your understanding of our business, experiment with the tooling attempting to solve business problems. This will include:

• Communication with the business to understand needs

• Experiment the implementation of relevant tools connected to our environment

• Debugging, refining, deploying what you produce in a secure environment

Shortlists & Recommendations 

• Create curated shortlists of promising tools for specific functional areas (e.g., communications, fundraising, data analysis, productivity) 

• Provide clear rationales and prioritisation based on organisational needs. 

Tested Use Cases & Demos 

• Where feasible, test or pilot selected tools and document findings. 

• Deliver brief walkthroughs, demos, or recorded videos to help internal teams understand the tool’s potential. 

Integration Mapping 

• Identify how shortlisted tools could connect with current systems in use (e.g., Notion, Salesforce, Office 365, Microsoft Dynamics F&O). 

• Provide mapping or flow diagrams where applicable. 

Support with the internal AI & Data (AID) Community of Practice (CoP)

• Support the Digital Team in maintaining and hosting the internal AID CoP, through research of relevant topics and demos of relevant applications

• Maintain the internal AI playbook

• Support the organisation on AI awareness raising, guidance and training

• Maintain an internal, living document or database of researched AI tools, including evaluations, use cases, and notes for future reference. 

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,.

• Networking Opportunities: Connect with a diverse, international community of innovators, researchers, and changemakers across Europe and beyond.