[Hiring] Principal Research Officer @Digital Technology Institute for Development (DTID)

Role Description

DTID is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Principal Research Officer – Circular Economy to provide specialist research expertise and contribute to the development of DTID's research agenda on circular economy, resource efficiency, waste reduction and sustainable resource management.

Working within Research Division II – Energy & Environment, the successful candidate will lead and contribute to research initiatives examining:

• Circular economy policies
• Sustainable production and consumption
• Resource recovery
• Environmental sustainability
• The application of emerging digital technologies to circular economy solutions

The role will involve:

• Conducting independent research
• Analysing international policies and industry developments
• Evaluating circular economy strategies
• Developing evidence-based recommendations to support various stakeholders
• Exploring how artificial intelligence, blockchain, data analytics and other emerging digital technologies can support resource traceability and sustainable economic systems

Qualifications

• Excellent written and spoken English
• Strong analytical, research and critical-thinking skills
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy and research integrity
• Ability to design, plan and conduct independent research
• Ability to undertake qualitative and quantitative research and analyse complex information
• Ability to develop evidence-based recommendations and practical solutions to sustainability challenges
• Strong professional communication, presentation and stakeholder-engagement skills
• Ability to communicate complex research findings clearly to various audiences
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of assigned research projects
• Ability to provide research guidance and support to other researchers and working groups
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet agreed deadlines
• Ability to collaborate effectively within a remote and internationally distributed team
• A proactive, innovative and solutions-focused approach to work

Requirements

• Strong knowledge or experience in circular economy principles, strategies and policy frameworks
• Sustainable resource management and resource efficiency
• Waste prevention, waste management and materials recovery
• Sustainable production and consumption
• Product lifecycle assessment and lifecycle management
• Sustainable supply chains and materials traceability
• Environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation
• Circular economy business models and sustainable innovation
• Environmental policy, regulation and governance
• Renewable energy and the circularity of energy technologies
• Biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resource management
• Applied policy research and research methodologies
• Qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis and interpretation
• Emerging digital technologies and their applications in circular economy systems

Education and Training

• A Master's degree or equivalent postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline
• A PhD in a relevant field would be advantageous
• Relevant professional qualifications, certifications or specialist training in circular economy and sustainable resource management
• Equivalent professional experience, specialist training or demonstrated research capability may also be considered
• Professional proficiency in English is required
• Knowledge of an additional international language would be advantageous

Experience

• Significant professional or research experience in circular economy, environmental sustainability, resource management or related fields
• Experience conducting independent qualitative and quantitative research
• Experience researching or evaluating circular economy policies, strategies, frameworks or practical applications
• Experience designing, planning and delivering research projects from inception to completion
• Experience producing high-quality research reports, policy briefs, technical publications or other substantive research outputs
• Experience analysing complex environmental, economic or sustainability-related information
• Experience supporting multidisciplinary research projects or providing technical guidance to other researchers
• Experience communicating research findings to various stakeholders
• Experience building constructive relationships with relevant stakeholders
• Experience working independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary or internationally distributed teams
• Experience applying digital technologies to circular economy solutions would be advantageous

Benefits

• Apply and strengthen specialist expertise in circular economy, environmental sustainability and resource management
• Lead and contribute to international research initiatives on circular economy and sustainable development
• Contribute to technical reports, policy briefs, research publications and other research outputs
• Gain experience examining the application of emerging digital technologies to circular economy solutions
• Strengthen research leadership, technical analysis and policy advisory skills
• Collaborate with researchers, technology specialists and professionals from different countries and disciplines
• Gain exposure to international environmental policy, climate action, renewable energy, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development
• Participate in relevant research projects, conferences, webinars and technical engagements
• Build international professional networks and long-term professional relationships
• Develop experience working within a fully remote and globally distributed organisation
• Contribute directly to DTID's research agenda and environmental sustainability initiatives