Postdoctoral fellow: Accelerating Canada’s transition to a net-zero economy through public policy

Organization

The Canada Climate Law Initiative (CCLI) analyses the legal obligations of corporate directors, pension fiduciaries, and asset managers to manage and report on climate-related financial risks and opportunities. It publishes guidance on effective climate governance, working closely with legal and accounting professionals and policymakers. Our mission is to enable Canadian directors, executives, policymakers, and regulators to confidently and swiftly lead Canada through a net-zero emissions transition with effective climate governance.

CCLI is supported financially by family foundations, and is led by its Principal Co-Investigators who include professors at the University of British Columbia Peter A. Allard School of Law and Osgoode Hall Law School, York University.

Background

CCLI’s research and policy work in the past three years has focused on advancing regulation to move Canadian businesses and financial institutions to net-zero transition plans by providing legal research on the legal duties of corporate and pension fiduciaries with respect of climaterelated matters and advising senior policymakers and regulators at the federal and provincial levels. Our objectives include advancing securities regulation and corporation law to advance disclosure and management of climate-related financial risks; research in advancing policy options for financial services and pension law regulators in respect of developing, managing, and measuring milestones in transition plans to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in line with Canada’s stated public policy to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

We believe that CCLI has made significant contribution to the development of policy and regulation on effective climate governance. CCLI has written or co-written several letters to key legislators and policymakers and numerous submissions to public consultations by regulatory and supervisory bodies such as the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA), the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI), the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), and the United States (US) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). CCLI is also very active in supporting the proposed new standards by the ISSB and will work to ensure that its new Canadian equivalent supports standards that make meaningful progress towards sustainable finance accounting and financial reporting in aid of the transition to net-zero emissions. We are also advising the Sustainable Finance Action Council (SFAC) on effective science-based green and transition finance taxonomies pursuant to the proposed Taxonomy Roadmap, offering research support on governance and oversight structures, drawing on developments globally to develop strategies best suited to Canada. The next year is crucial to accelerate the implementation of regulations that meaningfully advance a whole-economy transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and scaling up of sustainable finance and CCLI requires a researcher and legal advocate to support these objectives.

Responsibilities

The postdoctoral fellow, under the supervision of Dr. Carol Liao and guidance of Dr. Janis Sarra , will play a crucial role in researching, writing in-depth analysis, and meeting with key policymakers and regulators. The postdoctoral fellow will benefit from opportunities to expand their professional network, engage in cutting-edge research collaboration, and receive support from leading Canadian scholars. Primary responsibilities will include:

• Carrying out ongoing legal and policy research projects to advance CCLI’s policy objectives, working at times with an interdisciplinary scholarly team
• Leading research to provide support to key policymakers, legislators, supervisors, and regulators
• Reading relevant published papers and reports • Writing comprehensive analysis that may include policy briefing notes, letters, and submissions
• Leading and/or attending meetings with key policymakers and regulators
• Staying well-informed in climate and ESG-related developments

Qualifications and requirements

Candidates must have a recently completed PhD in corporate and securities law, financial services law, public policy, or related field with strong analytical skills and have published in the areas of corporate, securities or financial services law, Canadian public policy, climate risk and governance, disclosure, sustainable finance, or relevant areas.

• Demonstrated strong analytical and research skills
• Excellent writing skills
• Efficient communications skills • Bilingualism (English and French) is an asset

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. All candidates must have a valid work permit.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

Additional Details

• Desired start date: January 1, 2024
• Duration: Six months (fixed term/temporary), with possibility of an extension
• Contract type: Full time
• Salary range: $60,000 to $70,000
• Work schedule: Approximatively 40 hours per week

How to apply?

To apply for this position, please email Sonia li Trottier, Director, at [email protected] with the subject line Postdoctoral fellow, Canada Climate Law initiative with the following items attached: 

• Current CV
• Cover letter
• Research statement focusing on the candidate’s research interests in corporate law, public policy, climate risk and governance, sustainable finance, or related areas
• Writing sample on a topic related to the fellowship
• Research sample

The position is open until filled. Please contact Sonia li if you have additional questions.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.