Yacob has 20 years of research and teaching experience specializing on the links between basic infrastructure provision and human welfare, with a particular focus on access to clean energy services to address poverty and inequality concerns. His current research is focused on three interconnected areas: energy systems and development; energy systems and climate change; and political economy of climate negotiations. He approaches the energy systems and development work from the perspective of how energy systems have evolved, and likely to evolve in the future in line with medium and long-term development plans. This connects with the need for alternative technology pathways, institutional development, financial and policy analysis to serve the delivery of energy services to meet development goals. His energy systems and climate research focuses on behaviour change and lifestyle choice on the one hand, and technical interventions for avoiding future emissions on the other. The emissions avoidance aspect mainly relates to energy systems in developing countries. His work on climate negotiations relates to climate governance and how economic and political self-interest of countries finds expression in group alliances.