Careers

---

ACADEMIC RESEARCHER/SENIOR ACADEMIC RESEARCHER, Energy and Climate, Global China Initiative

The Boston University Global Development Policy (GDP) Center seeks an Academic Researcher/Senior Academic Researcher to lead our Energy and Climate work stream at the Global China Initiative (GCI). GCI advances policy-oriented research on China’s overseas economic activity and engagement with international institutions to enable financial stability, human well-being, and environmental sustainability. Within GCI, research is conducted across four programs: Energy and Climate, Forestry, Agriculture and Indigenous Rights (FAIR), China and the International Financial Architecture (CHIFA), and Data Analysis for Transparency and Accountability (D.A.T.A.).

Specifically, the mission of the energy and climate team is to produce policy oriented, evidence based and theoretical driven research to decarbonize Chinese overseas economic activity; accelerate inclusive low-carbon and facilitate green structural transformation in developing countries. An ideal candidate must have a strong background in energy and climate research with regards to Chinese overseas engagement, particularly in the following areas:

1. China’s role in just energy transition in developing countries;
2. Composition and impacts of China’s overseas energy projects;
3. Political and economic factors determining energy choices by China and countries that borrow or receive financing from China.

The primary responsibilities of the Academic Researcher/Senior Academic Researcher include:

• Conducting peer reviewed rigorous research on topics related to: China’s global energy finance and implications for climate change; the role of development finance in catalyzing energy transition in developing countries; policy proposals for greening China’s overseas economic engagement; and other relevant areas as determined by GCI.
• Developing and managing an energy and climate research portfolio in collaboration with by BU faculty members, non-resident scholars, and pre/post docs. This requires a strong ability to identify innovative and strategic questions for policy design and the ability to manage researchers who lead/operationalize the projects.
• Engaging with policy makers in China and elsewhere abroad on the policy implications of GCI’s research, as well as engaging in strategic communications through traditional and digital media platforms in English and Chinese.
• Leading the planning and execution of research across project life cycle, including conceptualization, data collection and analysis, drafting, revision, journal submission, policy engagement and so on, for both researcher’s own project as well as others under the energy and climate team.
• Representing GCI at policy events and conferences to advance our research findings.

This is an in-person position at Boston University.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in public policy, engineering, economics, political science, or related fields; PhD required for the Senior Academic Researcher position.
• Track record of high-impact publications on topics related to energy and climate change.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills in economics, energy, and finance in general, and knowledge of Chinese economy, climate policy, and overseas engagement.
• Interest in global development policy and China’s role in energy transition in developing countries.
• Strong writing skills, including technical writing as well as the ability to summarize technical research with a wider audience of media and policymakers.
• Demonstrated project and program management experience.
• Mandarin language skills required.

Boston University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and life insurance; retirement savings plans with matching contributions; generous paid time off and holidays; tuition remission for employees and eligible family members; wellness programs; transportation and commuting benefits; access to backup childcare and an on-site children’s center; and statutory protections such as Workers’ Compensation and Social Security contributions.

How to Apply:

Please send a cover letter and CV to the Global China Initiative Team (gci@bu.edu) with the subject line <<First Name Last Name – GCI E&C Researcher>>

---

ACADEMIC RESEARCHER/SENIOR ACADEMIC RESEARCHER, China and the International Financial Architecture, Global China Initiative

The Boston University Global Development Policy Center seeks an Academic Researcher/Senior Academic Researcher with a strong background in China and international financial institutions to lead our China and the International Financial Architecture work stream at the Global China Initiative. 

The Global China Initiative (GCI) was founded to advance policy-oriented research on China’s overseas economic activity and engagement with international institutions in order to enable financial stability, human well-being, and environmental sustainability. Within GCI, research is conducted across four programs: Energy and Climate, Forestry, Agriculture and Indigenous Rights in the Belt and Road Initiative (FAIR-BRI), China and the International Financial Architecture, and Data Analysis for Transparency and Accountability (D.A.T.A.).  

GCI is seeking an Academic Researcher/Senior Academic Researcher with a background in China and the International Financial Architecture to lead policy oriented research on: 

1. China and the Global Financial Safety Net;
2. China and Global Development Finance;
3. China and the sovereign debt restructuring architecture. 

The primary responsibilities of the Academic Researcher/Senior Academic Researcher for China and the International Financial Architecture group will be to conduct rigorous and policy-oriented research on topics related to China’s engagement both inside the legacy Bretton Woods institutions and outside through a network of newer bilateral and multilateral institutions that China has joined or co-founded in this century. The Academic Researcher/Senior Academic Researcher will also be the team leader for GCI’s China and the international financial architecture group, synthesizing and managing research across the group and representing the group at internal and external meetings. 

In addition to competitive compensation, the Academic Researcher/Senior Academic Researcher will receive funding for data collection, fieldwork, travel to conferences, as well as potentially be eligible for reimbursement for relocation expenses. This is an in-person position at GDP Center’s offices at Boston University. 

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in international economics, international political economy, economics, political science, or related fields; PhD preferred. 
• Working proficiency in Chinese. 
• Track record of high-impact publications on topics related to China and the international financial architecture. 
• Interest in global development policy and China’s role in the international financial architecture. 
• Strong writing skills, including technical writing as well as the ability to summarize technical research with a wider audience of media and policymakers. 
• Demonstrated project and program management experience. 

How to Apply:

 Please send a cover letter and CV to the Global China Initiative Team (gci@bu.edu) with the subject line <<First Name Last Name – GCI CHIFA Researcher>>