Research Lead: Sustainable Production and Consumption Work-stream
This is career opportunity for a dynamic science professional with a passion for sustainable development and nature. As a core member of the Luc Hoffmann Institute, you will develop and manage international research projects within the Sustainable Production and Consumption workstream, You will recommend and guide new research priorities while managing key relationships with our institutional partners around the globe. Help the Luc Hoffmann Institute and WWF bring science to action in order to build and secure a sustainable future for a living planet,
Location/Contract Details:
WWF office in Gland, Switzerland. This is an open-ended employment contract.
Mission of the Department:
The Luc Hoffmann Institute is an independent research hub at WWF. The aim is to explore complex conservation research questions and work with the WWF global network and partners from leading academic institutions, think tanks and organisations from the public and private sector, to bring science to action. We conduct research through interdisciplinary collaborative research teams and post-doctoral Luc Hoffmann Fellows aimed at delivering solutions, tools, and knowledge to the conservation community, policy and decision-makers. For more information on the Luc Hoffmann Institute, please visit http://luchoffmanninstitute.org/
Background:
With 3 billion people set to enter the middle class in the next 30 years, how we consume and what we produce will define sustainability.
This future reality not only demands that we develop alternative approaches but also that we adapt our current systems of consumption and production in order to build a resilient society that responds to the natural systems upon which it depends. Innovations are needed in business models, public policies and expenditures, regulatory and fiscal mechanisms, construction and building standards, education systems and lifestyles choices.
The research and synthesis we produce informs policies and practices that will reduce humanity’s footprint, increase sustainability, and increasing resource-use efficiency. Current research in this area includes efforts to plot a course toward low-carbon and sustainable economies, work exploring the impact of commodity certification standards, and research examining the role of cities in reducing global footprint.
Major Functions:
Research at the Luc Hoffmann Institute is divided into three primary programmes, called workstreams, each staffed by a research lead.
The research lead of each workstream is responsible for developing and managing a portfolio of collaborative research focused on the major topics within the workstream, linking synergies within workstream projects, allocating core funding among projects, maintaining workstream budgets, and working with other Luc Hoffmann Institute staff, WWF network offices, and external collaborators to secure external funding for collaborative projects.
The research leads work together, and with the Luc Hoffmann Institute director, to build the research portfolio of the institute, advance both academic and non-academic products coming from the research, connect with the global WWF network to assess the research needs of major WWF conservation programmes, and monitor and evaluate the impact of the work we produce.
In addition, the lead researcher for each workstream serves as a mentor for the Luc Hoffmann Institute post-doctoral fellows working on projects within their workstream.
Each research lead also works closely with the Global Science Communications Manager, and their expert connections within their workstream, to help build a robust, dynamic science communications promoting the research of the workstream and at the institute.
Lead researchers are thus central to the productivity and direction of the institute as they are the content experts working as thought leaders, scientists, science communicators, and programme managers.
What you need:
Required Qualifications, Skills and Competencies
PhD in a relevant field (e.g. biophysical sciences, social sciences, economics, urban planning, industrial ecology, life-cycle analyses);
Strong background in quantitative techniques, with experience in the management, analysis and synthesis of large heterogeneous data sets;
Minimum of 3 years experience (including but not limited to post-doctoral experience) working in relevant field of employment, preferably at the international level;
Experience in project management, developing partnerships, managing multidisciplinary teams and managing remote teams;
Experience in research, analysis and synthesis within one or more fields directly related to sustainable consumption and production systems;
Experience with diverse funding agencies and funding structures
Available for international travel, up to 25% of the time.
Ability and enthusiasm for on-deadline, team-oriented short timeline tasks;
Fluency in English;
Ability to work in multicultural environment;
Capacity to work independently and in an intense team environment;
Exceptional people skills;
Excellent organisational skills;
A good sense of humour;
Adheres to WWF’s values, which are: Knowledgeable, Optimistic, Determined and Engaging.
Contact Information:
How to apply?
Upload your covering letter and CV on Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/jobs2/view/14972817?trk=jobs_biz_prem_srch). We will not accept applications without CV and Covering Letter. Please make sure they are saved together as one file.
Deadline for applications: January 12th 2015 @4pm CET.
WWF is an equal opportunity employer and committed to having a diverse workforce.