Research Fellow: Supply chain emissions accounting (Trase)

SEI HQ is recruiting a highly motivated Research Fellow to lead an emerging area of research and impact within the Trase initiative on greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) linked to commodity supply chains. The food system contributes 34% of GHG emissions and is increasing year on year. Seventy one percent of the total emissions of the food system, or 24% of all anthropogenic emissions, are due to the combination of land use and land-use change and production practices, with tropical deforestation from agricultural expansion one of the largest contributors.
The successful applicant will have a strong background in research on emissions from the agricultural sector, including livestock and/or supply chain emissions accounting, preferably regarding agricultural commodities in the tropics, as well as proven experience of ensuring that his/her/their research is policy relevant and actionable by public or private sector organizations, including the financial industry.
You will be part of a leading multinational, multidisciplinary and multilingual team of experts working across the Trase initiative while also delivering on an exciting and fun project! We value diversity, inclusivity and creativity at the core of what we do and welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds. Through this role, you will be making a major contribution to the overall Trase strategy for 2021–2025 to mainstream the deployment and uptake of Trase data, analyses and methods to help transform the sustainability of commodity trade.
The Research Fellow will work in collaboration with experts across the Trase research, supply chain mapping, including impact assessment, and engagement teams, as well as in-country experts and partners in commodity-producing countries across the world.
Key responsibilities
Advance methods, in collaboration with colleagues in the Trase team and partners, to account for GHG emissions from the agricultural sector, including from on-farm practices and deforestation and ecosystem conversion for soy, pasture, cocoa and palm land uses and derived commodities and products
Advance methods, in collaboration with colleagues in the Trase team and partners, to account for GHG emissions in downstream stages of commodity transport and manufacturing
Support Trase to develop data products that can be used in supply chain emissions accounting processes, including third party tools (such as LCA products and databases)
Participate in policy processes and initiatives linked to the development of improved emissions accounting of commodity supply chains, including regarding GHG Protocol, the Science Based Targets initiative, country or EU actions under the Paris Agreement, the Task Force for Climate-Related Financial Disclosure requirements and other public or private sector initiatives.
Help develop partnerships with leading experts and practitioners working in this area to deliver robust science and ensure Trase’s work remains actionable and policy relevant
Present research and project results in meetings and international conferences
Support engagement activities related to this work and as part of the wider Trase impact strategy
Lead publication of communication pieces, including blog posts, insights, policy briefs and peer-reviewed articles.

Who you are
You should have a strong interest in sustainability and climate issues, with a background in emissions accounting in the agricultural sector, ideally linked to agricultural expansion, deforestation and commodity trade.
You will be an independent thinker driven by the importance of building strong bonds of trust and respect with your co-workers. You are also passionate about working to help understand some of the major environmental and sustainability challenges the world is facing in the 21st century. You will work independently and as part of a team in a highly flexible and exciting research and innovation environment.
Formal qualifications and knowledge
PhD or equivalent experience in a relevant field of Environmental Sciences, Industrial Ecology or equivalent and a strong background in one or more of the following: emissions accounting, LCA and land-use change dynamics, with strong competence in quantitative data skills and analysis
Proven ability to apply research to policy and practice of emissions accounting, whether in private or public sector
Proven publication record in area(s) of expertise
Fluency in written and spoken English
Excellent verbal and written communications skills.

Desirable qualifications
Prior experience engaging with Scope 3 emissions accounting, including as related to the GHG Protocol, Science Based Targets Initiative, PEF, OEF, and other corporate or government-led initiatives
Prior experience working on ecosystem conversion due to commodity expansion, especially regarding soy, pasture, palm oil and cocoa
Ability to work with spatial datasets (GIS) for the purposes of assessing land-based emissions, including ecosystem conversion from agriculture
Ability to work with large data sets using one or more coding languages (R, Python)
Prior experience with data tools and services such as Github, AWS and Observable
Prior experience with LCA and LCA software packages (openLCA, SimaPro)
Open to learning new skills
Language skills, including Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese, Bahasa Indonesian and French
Experience working in multicultural and multilinugal teams.



How to apply
We are reviewing applications on an ongoing basis, so please submit your application as soon as possible, but no later than 3 December 2021, 23:59 Stockholm local time.
We only accept applications in English that are submitted through our recruitment system.
Please apply online and include:
cover letter highlighting relevant qualifications and experience and why you are motivated by this position
curriculum vitae, including a list of publications.



You do not need to be a Swedish or EU citizen nor have a work/residence permit in order to apply for a job at SEI HQ.