Academic Researcher, Global Development Policy Center

Boston University; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Retirement matching

Paid time off

Tuition remission

Wellness programs

Commuter benefits

Backup childcare

On-site childcare

Job summary

Boston University GDP Center is seeking an Academic Researcher for energy and climate research focused on decarbonizing Chinese overseas investment and promoting low‑carbon development in developing countries. The role emphasizes rigorous, policy‑oriented analysis and collaboration with BU faculty, postdocs, and international partners.

The position requires Mandarin, strong writing, and the ability to communicate complex ideas to policymakers and media.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree required; PhD preferred to advance to Senior Academic Researcher.
• Mandarin language skills required.
• Strong writing skills and ability to communicate research to media and policymakers.
• Experience mentoring direct reports and leading research collaborations.

Responsibilities

• Conduct peer‑reviewed research on energy finance, climate policy and Chinese overseas engagement.
• Develop and manage multiple energy and climate research projects with BU collaborators and partners.
• Engage with policymakers in China and globally; communicate findings through media and policy channels.
• Co‑lead project lifecycles from conception to journal submission and policy engagement.
• Represent the GDP Center at policy events and conferences.

Skills

Mandarin language skills

Mentoring/leading others

Strong writing skills

Policy engagement

Education

Advanced degree in economics, public policy, political science, or related fields

Job description

Academic Researcher, Global Development Policy Center

Category: Charles River Campus -- Research

Job Location: Boston, MA, United States

Posted Date: 8/25/2026

Salary Grade: No Grade

Expected Hiring Range Minimum: $80,000.00

Expected Hiring Range Maximum: $90,000.00

Position Type: Full-Time/Regular

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, training and internal pay comparison. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

The Boston University Global Development Policy Center (GDP Center) seeks 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:

• China's role in just 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

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.

Benefits and Perks

• 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
• statutory protections such as Workers' Compensation and Social Security contributions

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.