SENIOR ACADEMIC RESEARCHER, ENERGY AND CLIMATE, Global China Initiative, Global Development Policy Center (23599933041016)

Boston University, United States

Updated: 3 months ago
Location: Boston, MASSACHUSETTS
Job Type: FullTime

The Boston University Global Development Policy Center (GDP Center) seeks an Academic Researcher/Senior Academic Researcher with a strong background in energy and climate to lead our Energy and Climate 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 (FAIR-BRI), international economic order, and data analysis for transparency and accountability.

GCI is seeking an Academic Researcher/Senior Academic Researcher with a background in energy and climate-related to:

  • China’s role in energy transition in developing countries;
  • Composition and impacts of China’s overseas energy projects;
  • 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 on energy and climate topics for GCI will be to conduct rigorous and policy-oriented 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 Belt and Road Initiative; and other relevant areas as determined by GCI. The Academic Researcher/Senior Academic Researcher will also be the team leader for GCI’s energy and climate group, synthesizing and managing research across the group and representing the group in internal and external meetings.

    In addition to competitive compensation, the 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.


    • Advanced degree in public policy, engineering, economics, political science, or related fields; PhD preferred.
    • Track record of high-impact publications on topics related to energy and climate change.
    • 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.
    • Working proficiency in Mandarin

    How to apply: Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until October 1, 2023. Please send a cover letter and CV to Lin Zhu at [email protected]  with the subject line <>

    We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. 


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