Associate Research Scholar

The Climate School at Columbia University is accepting applications for an Associate Research Scholar. This position will collaborate with the Director and Research Staff of the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment to execute the Center's applied research agenda on the laws, policies, and practices that shape international investment and its alignment with sustainable development and human rights. The incumbent will contribute to ongoing projects and research related to the role and governance of investment in the realization of sustainable development. Specifically, this position will contribute to research and analysis of international investment policy and legal frameworks, and alternative policies and practices related to international investment, particularly with respect to the Center's focus on natural resource investments (e.g. land, agriculture and mining), the energy transition, human rights, and finance.

This position also supports CCSI's technical advisory work with select governments, companies, and civil society organizations. The incumbent will contribute to ongoing projects, including through project and advisory work, desk research, stakeholder consultations, organizing and facilitating events and trainings, maintaining contact with collaborators, and helping to develop materials for publications, among other possible activities. Requires a high degree of initiative and independent judgment.

Research and writing responsibilities include:
Conducting literature reviews, gathering data, doing interviews, and conducting legal or policy analysis; mapping the institutional, policy, and stakeholder landscape relevant to specific Center initiatives and goals; collaborating with external leaders, practitioners and scholars, including Government partners of CCSI; designing and organizing research-oriented conferences, seminars, trainings and workshops; working on the various publications, databases and other resources of the Center; writing papers, case studies and reports on center projects.

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD, SJD, JD or LLM in Economics, Law, Development, political science, or other related field, and relevant experience.
• Relevant experience includes, but is not limited to, the ability to lead and/or carry out collaborative research projects related to the Center's work.
• Strong legal research skills, and a demonstrated ability to shape and design written products, capacity-building initiatives, and stakeholder engagement in a way that applies research findings to real-world contexts.
• At least 3 years of prior experience developing and leading technical advisory work, research, and writing to align investment with sustainable development.
• Demonstrated prior experience working with leaders from civil society and the private sector concerning investment for sustainable development.
• Must be willing and able to travel.
• This position also requires willingness to learn new areas and to work in a highly interdisciplinary, flexible, and dynamic environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, organization, research and communication skills required as well as initiative, motivation and ability to think strategically.

Preferred qualifications:

• Proficiency in a second language preferred.

The search will remain open for at least 30 days after the ad appears and will continue until the position is filled.

Columbia University benefits accompany this Officer of Research appointment.

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Pay Transparency Disclosure

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, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.