Why Work For Us?

We are pioneers, innovators, researchers, modellers, practitioners, and teachers. We work on the ground at our centres in India and Africa; in our labs and research facilities in the UK and Europe; and in our offices, developing our physical and on-line facilities.

These include spaces for teaching, knowledge sharing, and interacting, building awareness and capacity with our many stakeholders, as well as the underpinning operations, administration, monitoring, evaluation, and continuous learning. 

Across our many CCN locations, we currently form a team of more than 65, yet we work cohesively as one collegial team. We work together to bring know-how, ingenuity, and agile thinking to everything we do.  We strive for an environment where creativity, talent, and hard work are rewarded - a place to be your best self.  We are supportive; whether facing success, setbacks, or anything in between, we are all in. And, we are serious about our commitment to the well-being, health, and safety of our colleagues, our students, partners, and the communities in which we operate.

Living the ACES values

At ACES, we believe our HR manual shouldn’t be just a static document—it should reflect who we are, how we work together, and how we grow as a team. The following comments come from real conversations with our team members about what makes ACES unique. They capture not just our rules but also our daily values, stories, and what truly matters to us in our work environment.

• On Innovation and Community: ACES isn’t about being just another organisation with a generic manual. We’re evolving, constantly reflecting and innovating, and this creativity is a part of our DNA. We build resilient, forward-thinking communities—inside and outside the team.
• On Time Management, Accountability, and Empowerment: At ACES, time management and accountability are shared responsibilities. Everyone is empowered to make decisions within their role, trusted to own their work, and encouraged to speak up early if something isn’t right—what we call “raising the flag.” This culture of trust means that staff don’t wait for approval for every small thing, but instead take initiative, consult colleagues, and move projects forward. 
• On Learning from Mistakes: Mistakes are inevitable in any innovative environment, but at ACES, the real value comes from learning from them. The expectation isn’t perfection, but continuous improvement: if something goes wrong, we discuss it openly, analyse what happened, and work together to put systems or SOPs in place so the same error doesn’t happen twice. 
• On Collaboration and Communication: Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do at ACES. We encourage open and respectful communication—across roles, backgrounds, and departments. Regular updates, shared meeting notes, and inclusive discussions ensure that everyone is informed and has the opportunity to contribute their ideas. 
• On Communication and Transparency: Clear, timely communication is a cornerstone of how we work. Whether it's a quick update, a meeting recap, or an informal conversation, we aim to keep everyone in the loop. Transparency builds trust—and trust builds momentum. 
• On Culture of Curiosity and Continuous Learning: ACES encourages curiosity as a key part of growth. Whether you’re technical, administrative, or new to the field, everyone is supported in asking questions, learning new tools, and exploring new areas.
• On Respecting Diverse Backgrounds and Experiences: We take pride in the diversity of our team—across age, background, discipline, and experience. At ACES, everyone’s contribution matters. We work to create an environment where ideas are heard regardless of role or seniority, and where different perspectives are seen as strengths. 
• On Inclusion and Diversity: Our strength comes from the diversity of our team. We welcome people from different backgrounds, expertise, and perspectives, and we work consciously to create an environment where everyone feels included and respected. Gender equality and social inclusion are not just policies—they are day-to-day practices. 

Join our team

If you want to play a part in our shared purpose - making a positive impact by shaping the future of cooling - but don’t see a position that describes your talent and experience, email your CV and cover letter to  [email protected] . Clean Cooling wants to connect with you.

Astrid Genard

Head of International Operations
Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold Chain (ACES)

Working across sustainable development, education, and applied research with a practical, community-driven focus. Currently leading international operations at the Clean Cooling Network (CCN), translating strategy into action across Africa. Holding Master’s degrees in Economics and Pedagogical Sciences. Experience managing multi-million-dollar projects in agriculture and value chain development. Skilled in designing inclusive, hands-on training programs with and for teachers. Committed to clarity, humility, and grounded solutions that meet real needs.

Sonja Mettenleiter

Head of SPOKEs

Sonja has extensive experience in agricultural value chains, sustainable cooling, and renewable energy technologies and has worked in various geographies in the tropics, like Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia, Brazil, and Guatemala. Her expertise lies in the development and implementation of energy-efficient cold chains, creating enabling environments for them, and through that driving forward the productive use of energy in the tropics to build resilient ecosystems and communities.