Researcher in Corporate Climate Action and Engagement

University of Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

38 days annual leave

Childcare services

Family leave schemes

Discounted bus travel

Job summary

University of Oxford invites applications for a Researcher in Corporate Climate Action and Engagement to join Oxford Net Zero's Serviced Emissions Hub within the Smith School of Geography and the Environment. The role focuses on how professional services influence client emissions and how these impacts can be addressed through corporate climate action.

You will work with the Head of Stakeholder Engagement to advance research and engagement activities, coordinating groups, analysing evidence, and

Qualifications

• Undergraduate or Master's degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• Strong research, analytical and communication skills.
• Experience managing complex projects or workstreams and engaging with external stakeholders.
• Understanding of corporate climate action, net zero standards or sustainable procurement is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to research and engagement activities as Serviced Emissions Hub moves to practical implementation.
• Engage with businesses, procurement professionals and professional services providers.
• Coordinate working groups and steering committee activities; translate findings into practical outputs for practitioners.
• Analyse qualitative and quantitative evidence and support publications.

Skills

Research

Analytical thinking

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree

Job description

UK date and time: 07-November-2026 13:30

Researcher in Corporate Climate Action and Engagement

Smith School, School of Geography and the Environment, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QY

Oxford Net Zero is seeking a Researcher in Corporate Climate Action and Engagement to contribute to the next phase of its Serviced Emissions Hub. The Hub brings together researchers, businesses, professional services firms and civil society organisations to examine how professional services, including legal, advertising and consultancy services, influence the greenhouse gas emissions of their clients and how these impacts can be addressed through corporate climate action.

Working with Alexis McGivern, Head of Stakeholder Engagement, you will play a central role in advancing the Hub's research and engagement activities as it moves from developing the concept of serviced emissions towards practical implementation. Your work will focus on understanding how businesses commission professional services and identifying opportunities to incorporate serviced emissions into procurement, supplier engagement and corporate climate decision-making.

The role combines applied research, stakeholder engagement and project coordination. You will work with businesses, procurement professionals, professional services providers and civil society organisations to develop and test practical approaches, coordinate working groups and steering committee activities, and contribute to research on corporate climate standards. You will also analyse qualitative and quantitative evidence, support publications, and translate findings into accessible guidance, tools and recommendations for practitioners.

We are seeking a candidate with an undergraduate or Master's degree, or equivalent relevant experience, alongside strong research, analytical and communication skills. You should have experience managing complex projects or workstreams, engaging with external stakeholders and translating research into practical outputs for non-academic audiences. An understanding of corporate climate action, net zero standards, professional services or sustainable procurement would be advantageous.

This position offers an opportunity to contribute to research and engagement that supports businesses and professional services firms in addressing their wider climate impacts and strengthening corporate climate accountability.

This post is offered on a full time, fixed-term basis for 2 years.

What We Offer

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees' well-being, and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• 38 days annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans.

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon (UK time) on 13 November 2026.Only applications submitted by this time will be considered. Interviews are expected to take place on or around the 18 September 2026.

The University of Oxford and The School of Geography and the Environment are Silver Athena SWAN holders. Applications are particularly welcome and encouraged from women, black, and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in posts in The School of Geography and the Environment. The School of Geography and the Environment are committed to equality and values diversity