Academic Researcher or Senior Academic Researcher, Global Development Policy Center

Academic Researcher or Senior Academic Researcher, Global Development Policy Center

The Boston University Global Development Policy Center seeks an Academic Researcher or Senior Academic Researcher with a strong background in China and international financial institutions to lead our China and the International Financial Architecture work stream at the Global China Initiative.

The Global China Initiative (GCI) was founded to advance policy‑oriented research on China’s overseas economic activity and engagement with international institutions in order to enable financial stability, human well‑being, and environmental sustainability. Within GCI, research is conducted across four programs:
Energy and Climate, Forestry, Agriculture and Indigenous Rights (FAIR), China and the International Financial Architecture, and Data Analysis for Transparency and Accountability (D.A.T.A.).

The Academic Researcher or Senior Academic Researcher will lead policy‑oriented research on:

• China and the Global Financial Safety Net;
• China and Global Development Finance;
• China and the sovereign debt restructuring architecture.

The primary responsibilities of the Academic Researcher or Senior Academic Researcher will be to conduct rigorous and policy‑oriented research on topics related to China’s engagement both inside the legacy Bretton Woods institutions and outside through a network of newer bilateral and multilateral institutions that China has joined or co‑founded in this century. The Academic Researcher or Senior Academic Researcher will also be the team leader for GCI’s China and the international financial architecture group, synthesizing and managing research across the group and representing the group at internal and external meetings.

This is an in‑person position at Boston University.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in international economics, international political economy, economics, political science, or related fields;
  PhD preferred.
• Working proficiency of Mandarin. Track record of high‑impact publications on topics related to China and the international financial architecture.
• Interest in global development policy and China’s role in the international financial architecture.
• Strong writing skills, including technical writing as well as the ability to summarize technical research with a wider audience of media and policymakers.
• Demonstrated project and program management experience.

Boston University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes 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 commuting benefits; access to backup childcare and an on‑site children’s center; and statutory protections such as Workers’ Compensation and Social Security contributions.

To apply, please send a cover letter and CV to Lin Zhu at lindz with the subject line

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.