Student Assistant- AI tool researcher

Job Details

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.

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)

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).
• Provide basic mapping or flow diagrams where applicable.

AI Resources Catalogue

• 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, 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.