Careers

Founded in 2017, the Boston University Global Development Policy Center’s mission is to advance policy-oriented research for financial stability, human well-being and environmental sustainability.

To fulfill our mission, we conduct rigorous policy research; provide a convening place for scholars and stakeholders; engage in policy dialogue with policymakers, civil society and media; and offer experiential learning for Boston University students. The GDP Center strives to not only be a think tank, but also a do tank. Come work with us.

Open Positions

Pre- or Post-Doctoral Fellow – Finance and Investment for Ecology, Livelihoods and Development (FIELD) 

We are seeking a pre-doctoral or post-doctoral fellow to contribute to research on the international macroeconomic drivers of biodiversity loss and the multilateral policies that can help reverse these trends. Successful applicants may have strong backgrounds in the quantitative or qualitative social sciences. Expertise in the relation between biodiversity and global economic governance will be a strong advantage for applications, but is not strictly necessary for candidates with a research focus on environmental governance and international political economy more generally. Thematic areas of focus may include sovereign debt, commodity trade and investment, development finance, forests and biodiversity.

This fellowship is expected to begin in the spring or summer of 2027 and last for 12-18 months. This fellowship program is in–person at Boston University.

Responsibilities:

This fellow will be responsible for helping to convene a high-level workshop of scholars and practitioners, and helping to develop a policy-oriented research agenda on the subject of global biodiversity, livelihoods and the international financial architecture. The fellow will be paired with a GDP Center senior academic researcher in its Finance and Investment for Ecology, Livelihoods and Development (FIELD) workstream to pursue this research.

Fellows will produce one GDP Center working paper per appointment period, which is eligible to be published on the GDP Center website pending alignment with GDP Center topic and quality standards.

The time commitment for this project is 20 hours each week. Fellows may spend 20 hours per week on their own independently-led projects that are related to the GDP Center’s research topics, while receiving guidance and support from their supervising mentor.

Qualifications:

The GDP Center will accept applications from all disciplines, especially the natural and social sciences, engineering, and business. Applicants at the pre-doctoral level must be enrolled in doctoral programs and have completed their core coursework. Familiarity with AI and large language model methods for academic research is beneficial but not necessary.

Compensation:

Pre Doc Expected Stipend $ $47,740 annually

Post Doc Expected Minimum Salary $67,500 annually (0-2 years experience)

Post Doc Expected Salary Range Maximum $70,000 annually (more than 2 years experience)

How to Apply:

• Complete an application form here.
• Submit the following with your application. Documents must be uploaded as separate files in PDF format.
  • A cover letter that demonstrates interest and experience in FIELD–related research.
  • A current curriculum vitae.
  • A 1–2 page individual working paper proposal that outlines the research question(s), methodology, research plan and its significance. This proposal may consist of new research or may cover part of a dissertation (for pre-doctoral fellows) or converting graduate research into published form (for post-doctoral fellows).
  • A writing sample that reflects the candidate’s research interests (no more than 30 pages)
  • Contact information for two references

Application Deadline: September 30, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Due to the volume of applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For international candidates: Any fellowship offer is contingent on the scholar’s ability to secure the appropriate U.S. visa. International candidates already in the US on a J-1 visa must obtain express approval from their sponsoring institution confirming they are permitted to earn income from another institution. If you do not currently hold a valid U.S. scholar visa, you may be eligible for J-1 sponsorship through Boston University. It is essential to discuss visa eligibility and requirements in detail before accepting a fellowship at the Boston University GDP Center.

Academic Researcher – Energy & Climate Research

We are seeking an Academic Researcher for our energy and climate research workstream to produce policy-oriented and evidence-based research to decarbonize Chinese overseas economic activity and accelerate inclusive, low-carbon development and facilitate green structural transformation in developing countries. The ideal candidate must have a strong background in energy and climate research, with expertise in the following areas related to Chinese overseas investment:

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

Responsibilities:

• Conduct 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 the GDP Center.
• Develop and manage multiple energy and climate research projects in collaboration with the GDP Center Director and Senior Academic Researchers, demonstrating a strong ability to identify innovative and strategic questions for policy design. Collaborate with BU faculty members from across disciplines, non-resident scholars and research partners, and guide and mentor pre- and postdoctoral fellows.
• Engage with policymakers in China and elsewhere on the policy implications of the GDP Center’s research, as well as engage in strategic communications through traditional and digital media platforms in English and Chinese.
• Co-lead the planning and execution of research work across project lifecycles, including conceptualization, data collection and analysis, drafting, revision, journal submission, policy engagement and other related stages for both the researcher’s own projects and those of others on the energy and climate team.
• Represent the GDP Center at policy events and conferences to advance our research findings. Requires the ability to present GDP Center research findings to a wide array of audiences.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in economics, public policy, political science, or related fields; PhD required to advance to a Senior Academic Researcher position.
• Expertise in global development policy and China’s role in energy transition in developing countries.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills in economics, energy and finance, and knowledge of the Chinese economy, climate policy, and overseas engagement.
• Track record of publications on topics related to energy and climate change.
• Strong writing skills, including technical writing as well as the ability to communicate technical research to a wider audience including but not limited to media professionals and policymakers.
• Experience managing and mentoring direct reports, including pre- and post-doctoral fellows; candidates must be comfortable mentoring and leading others while functioning as a collaborative contributor within a highly integrated research team.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating and collaborating with peers throughout a research project lifecycle. Experience managing the full research project lifecycle is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple research deliverables simultaneously under competing deadlines; must thrive in a fast-paced, high-output work environment.
• Mandarin language skills required.
• Must be able and willing to travel within the US and internationally.
• Must be able to relocate and work in-person in Boston, MA.

BU Human Resources Expected Hiring Range Minimum $80,000

BU Human Resources Expected Hiring Range Maximum $90,000

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 commuter benefits; access to backup childcare and an on-site children’s center; and statutory protections such as Workers’ Compensation and Social Security contributions.

Application deadline: 10/1/2026. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Due to the volume of applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Click here to apply.

Program Assistant and Communications Fellow – Human Capital Initiative (HCI)

This position is open to current BU students. External applicants are not eligible. 

• Support HCI program development.
• Provide administrative and program support to ensure timely execution of HCI activities.
• Assist in the design and development of multimedia content, including infographics, social media graphics, and videos.
• Draft and edit summary blog posts.
• Assist with planning, logistics and HCI events.

• MA or PhD level preferred
• Must be able to work in-person at the GDP Center (53 Bay State Road) between 15-20 hours a week.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Strong writing and editing skills
• Ability to manage tasks independently and meet deadlines
• Experience and/or interest in research- or policy-oriented communications
• Experience with design software (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite) or social media management tools preferred, but not required

Please apply through JobX. Job Id: 12165.

Student Research Assistant, Green Foreign Direct Investment

This position is open to current BU students. External applicants are not eligible. 

• Proficiency in Stata, R, or Python for data cleaning and merging.
• Experience reconciling cross-national datasets (country codes, currency/units, mismatched formats).
• Accurate transcription skills (ability to transcribe recorded interviews).
• Basic qualitative coding ability (applying a codebook, thematic coding).
• Understanding of basic regression (OLS) and how to run/interpret it.
• Comfort with confidentiality/IRB protocols for human-subjects interview data.
• Strong attention to detail and organization (version control across many files).

• Experience with qualitative software (NVivo, Dedoose, etc.).
• Background in IPE, development economics, or energy policy.
• Foreign language skills.
• Prior experience with mixed-methods or cross-national projects.
• Familiarity with visualization tools for data checks.

Interested candidates should send their CV to gci@bu.edu with the subject line, “Green FDI RA – [GRAD/UGRAD], [full name].”

Page last updated: September 2, 2026.