About the Role

BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) at BRAC University invites applications for the position of Senior Research Fellow for its Environment and Climate Change Cluster.

This is a senior research leadership position responsible for providing intellectual, strategic, and operational leadership in designing and implementing high-quality research on environment, climate change, climate adaptation and resilience, mitigation, environmental governance, natural resource management, biodiversity, sustainable development, environmental policy, climate finance, disaster risk reduction, energy transition, and related development issues.

The successful candidate will lead multidisciplinary research programs, secure competitive research funding, publish in leading international journals, mentor research teams, and translate rigorous research into evidence-informed policy and practice.

Key Responsibilities

Research Leadership

• Lead the development, design, and implementation of high-quality research programs within the Environment and Climate Change Cluster. 
• Develop innovative research agendas addressing climate resilience, environmental sustainability, natural resource management, climate policy, energy transition, biodiversity conservation, disaster risk reduction, and related areas. 
• Design and oversee rigorous quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method research. 
• Ensure research quality, ethics, scientific integrity, and methodological excellence across all projects. 

Research Program Development and Resource Mobilization

• Lead the preparation of competitive research proposals for national and international funding opportunities. 
• Secure external research funding from development partners, research organizations, foundations, and international agencies. 
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with national and international stakeholders. 
• Identify emerging research priorities aligned with BIGD’s strategic objectives. 

Research Project Management

• Provide overall leadership for multiple research projects from inception to completion. 
• Oversee project planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, donor compliance, and reporting. 
• Coordinate multidisciplinary research teams and partner institutions to ensure timely delivery of high-quality outputs. 

Publications and Academic Leadership

• Publish research findings in internationally recognized peer-reviewed journals. 
• Present research at national and international conferences, seminars, and policy forums. 
• Contribute to books, policy briefs, working papers, and other knowledge products. 
• Strengthen BIGD’s research portfolio and academic reputation through high-quality scholarly contributions. 

Policy Engagement

• Translate research findings into evidence-based policy recommendations. 
• Engage with government agencies, development partners, academia, civil society, and international research networks. 
• Lead dissemination events, policy dialogues, stakeholder consultations, and public engagement initiatives. 
• Represent BIGD at national, regional, and international forums. 

Team and Institutional Leadership

• Mentor and supervise Research Fellows, Senior Research Associates, Research Associates, and consultants. 
• Build institutional research capacity through coaching, training, and technical guidance. 
• Contribute to BIGD’s strategic planning, quality assurance, cross-cluster collaboration, and institutional development. 

Qualifications

Essential

PhD in Environmental Science, Climate Change, Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy, Natural Resource Management, Ecology, Geography, Development Studies, Agricultural Economics, Disaster Management, or another closely related discipline.

Preferred

Strong interdisciplinary background with expertise in climate change, environmental sustainability, natural resource governance, and sustainable development.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in policy-oriented research. 
• At least 5 years in a senior research leadership position.
• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale, donor-funded research programmes. 
• Strong experience working with governments, development partners, international organizations, and academic institutions. 

Essential Publication Requirement

Applicants must have a strong publication record, including:

• A minimum of seven (7) peer-reviewed journal articles published in Q1 journals (as ranked by Scopus/SCImago Journal Rank or Clarivate Journal Citation Reports), demonstrating significant scholarly contribution (e.g., first author, corresponding author, or substantial co-authorship). 
• Demonstrated ability to publish in internationally recognized, high-impact journals in the fields of environment, climate change, sustainability, natural resource management, environmental policy, or related disciplines. 
• Additional publications in reputable peer-reviewed journals, books, policy reports, and working papers will be considered an asset. 

Technical Competencies

• Advanced expertise in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method research. 
• Strong knowledge of environmental and climate policy analysis, impact evaluation, environmental economics, climate vulnerability and adaptation assessment, and sustainability research. 
• Proficiency in statistical software such as Stata, R, SPSS, Python, or equivalent. 
• Experience using qualitative data analysis software such as NVivo, Atlas.ti, or MAXQDA. 
• Excellent proposal development, project management, donor reporting, and research communication skills. 
• Outstanding academic writing, analytical, and presentation skills. 

Eligibility

BIGD will recruit an individual with the right to work in Bangladesh. BIGD recognizes the value of diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees are treated fairly and with respect. The Institute provides equal employment opportunities and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, age, gender, sexual orientation, citizenship, disability, ethnicity, religion, or any other protected characteristic.

Application Process

Interested candidates are requested to submit:

• A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• A cover letter describing their suitability and motivation for the position
• Contact details of at least two professional referees

Applications should be submitted through the prescribed online application: Apply

Applications that do not comply with the instructions will not be considered. 

Last Date of Application: 25 September 2026