The posting
UNPAID VOLUNTEER – Principal Research Officer – Circular Economy
Role Title: Principal Research Officer – Circular Economy
Role Type: Unpaid Volunteer
Number of Positions: 1
Division: Research Division II – Energy & Environment
Location: Home-based / Remote
Reporting To: Deputy/ Director of Research – Energy & Environment
THIS IS AN UNPAID VOLUNTEER ROLE.
About DTID
The Digital Technology Institute for Development (DTID) is an international non-profit institute advancing the responsible use of artificial intelligence, blockchain and emerging digital technologies to support sustainable development and policy implementation.
DTID brings together professionals, researchers, technology specialists and other stakeholders to generate research, develop practical solutions, strengthen partnerships and support informed decision-making at the intersection of technology, climate change and sustainable development.
The Role
DTID is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Principal Research Officer – Circular Economy to provide specialist research expertise and contribute to the development of DTID's research agenda on circular economy, resource efficiency, waste reduction and sustainable resource management.
Working within Research Division II – Energy & Environment, the successful candidate will lead and contribute to research initiatives examining circular economy policies, sustainable production and consumption, resource recovery, environmental sustainability and the application of emerging digital technologies to circular economy solutions.
The role will involve conducting independent research, analysing international policies and industry developments, evaluating circular economy strategies and developing evidence-based recommendations to support governments, international organisations, businesses and other relevant stakeholders.
The Principal Research Officer will also explore how artificial intelligence, blockchain, data analytics and other emerging digital technologies can support resource traceability, materials management, waste reduction, product lifecycle management and the transition towards more circular and sustainable economic systems.
This is a senior research position requiring strong analytical capability, independent research experience, excellent communication skills and the ability to translate complex research findings into practical policy recommendations.
Key Responsibilities
The Principal Research Officer – Circular Economy will:
- Lead and coordinate research on circular economy policies, sustainable resource management, waste reduction and resource efficiency.
- Conduct primary and secondary research using qualitative and quantitative methodologies to evaluate circular economy practices, policies and emerging developments.
- Research and analyse international circular economy frameworks, regulatory developments and sector-specific sustainability initiatives.
- Investigate the application of artificial intelligence, blockchain, IoT and other emerging digital technologies to circular economy solutions.
- Develop research proposals, concept notes, policy briefs, technical reports and publications relating to circular economy and sustainable development.
- Evaluate circular economy strategies and identify opportunities for improving resource efficiency, waste management, materials recovery and environmental sustainability.
- Provide research guidance and technical support to Research Officers and working groups involved in circular economy and related environmental initiatives.
- Collaborate with other DTID research and technology teams on projects relating to renewable energy, biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, carbon management and sustainable resource use.
- Identify opportunities for research collaboration and strategic partnerships with governments, research institutions, international organisations and other relevant stakeholders.
- Present research findings and recommendations through webinars, conferences, technical meetings and other relevant engagements.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of DTID's research methodologies, research quality and knowledge-management practices.
- Undertake other reasonable research responsibilities relevant to the role as assigned by Research Division II leadership.
Requirements
Skills and Abilities
Candidates should demonstrate:
- Excellent written and spoken English.
- Strong analytical, research and critical-thinking skills.
- Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
- Strong attention to detail, accuracy and research integrity.
- Ability to design, plan and conduct independent research.
- Ability to undertake qualitative and quantitative research and analyse complex information.
- Ability to develop evidence-based recommendations and practical solutions to sustainability challenges.
- Strong professional communication, presentation and stakeholder-engagement skills.
- Ability to communicate complex research findings clearly to policymakers, technical specialists and non-specialist audiences.
- Ability to develop effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to work independently and take ownership of assigned research projects.
- Ability to provide research guidance and support to other researchers and working groups.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and meet agreed deadlines.
- Ability to collaborate effectively within a remote and internationally distributed team.
- A proactive, innovative and solutions-focused approach to work.
General and Specialist Knowledge
Candidates should have strong knowledge or experience in several of the following areas:
- Circular economy principles, strategies and policy frameworks.
- Sustainable resource management and resource efficiency.
- Waste prevention, waste management and materials recovery.
- Sustainable production and consumption.
- Product lifecycle assessment and lifecycle management.
- Sustainable supply chains and materials traceability.
- Recycling, reuse, remanufacturing and resource recovery.
- Environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation.
- Circular economy business models and sustainable innovation.
- Environmental policy, regulation and governance.
- Renewable energy and the circularity of energy technologies.
- Biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resource management.
- Applied policy research and research methodologies.
- Qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis and interpretation.
- Emerging digital technologies and their applications in circular economy systems.
Knowledge or experience relating to the following frameworks, standards and tools would be particularly advantageous:
- ISO 59004 – Circular Economy: Vocabulary, Principles and Guidance for Implementation.
- ISO 59010 – Circular Economy: Guidance on the Transition of Business Models and Value Networks.
- ISO 59020 – Circular Economy: Measuring and Assessing Circularity Performance.
- Lifecycle assessment methodologies, including ISO 14040 and ISO 14044.
- Circular economy indicators and sustainability assessment frameworks.
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS), including ArcGIS or comparable platforms.
- Research and data-analysis tools relevant to environmental and sustainability studies.
Knowledge of the application of artificial intelligence, blockchain, IoT, data analytics and other emerging digital technologies to materials tracking, waste management, resource efficiency and sustainable supply chains would also be advantageous.
Candidates should demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant research, data-analysis or project-management tools.
Education and Training
Candidates should preferably possess:
- A Master's degree or equivalent postgraduate qualification in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Sustainability, Circular Economy, Environmental Engineering, Natural Resource Management, Economics, Public Policy, Sustainable Development or another relevant discipline.
A PhD in a relevant field would be advantageous.
Relevant professional qualifications, certifications or specialist training in the following areas would also be beneficial:
- Circular economy and sustainable resource management.
- Environmental sustainability and policy.
- Lifecycle assessment and environmental impact assessment.
- Waste management and resource recovery.
- Sustainable supply chain management.
- Research methodologies and data analysis.
- Environmental governance and sustainable development.
Equivalent professional experience, specialist training or demonstrated research capability may also be considered where appropriate.
Professional proficiency in English is required.
Knowledge of an additional international language would be advantageous.
Experience
Candidates should ideally demonstrate:
- Significant professional or research experience in circular economy, environmental sustainability, resource management, waste management, environmental policy or a closely related field.
- Experience conducting independent qualitative and quantitative research.
- Experience researching or evaluating circular economy policies, strategies, frameworks or practical applications.
- Experience designing, planning and delivering research projects from inception to completion.
- Experience producing high-quality research reports, policy briefs, technical publications or other substantive research outputs.
- Experience analysing complex environmental, economic or sustainability-related information.
- Experience supporting multidisciplinary research projects or providing technical guidance to other researchers.
- Experience communicating research findings to policymakers, institutional stakeholders and non-specialist audiences.
- Experience building constructive relationships with research institutions, government agencies, international organisations or other relevant stakeholders.
- Experience working independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary or internationally distributed teams.
Experience applying digital technologies to circular economy solutions, materials traceability, resource management or environmental monitoring would be advantageous.
Experience contributing to research publications, policy development, environmental assessments or sustainability-related projects would also be highly desirable.
Experience within an international organisation, research institution, university, environmental consultancy, nonprofit organisation, technology organisation or sustainability-focused institution would be advantageous.
Benefits
What Difference Will You Make?
The transition towards a circular economy offers opportunities to reduce waste, improve resource efficiency, support environmental sustainability and develop more resilient economic systems.
Research and evidence are essential to understanding how circular economy principles can be translated into effective policies, practical solutions and sustainable development initiatives.
As a Principal Research Officer – Circular Economy, you will contribute specialist research expertise to DTID's work on sustainable resource management, environmental policy and the application of emerging digital technologies to circular economy challenges.
Your research will help identify opportunities for using artificial intelligence, blockchain and other emerging technologies to improve materials traceability, resource management, waste reduction and sustainable production and consumption.
Your contribution will strengthen DTID's research capabilities, technical expertise and policy relevance in circular economy, environmental sustainability and sustainable development, supporting the development of evidence-based recommendations for governments, international organisations and other relevant stakeholders.
Benefits
What Will You Gain from Volunteering with DTID?
Although this position is unpaid, volunteering with DTID provides opportunities to:
- Apply and strengthen specialist expertise in circular economy, environmental sustainability and resource management.
- Lead and contribute to international research initiatives on circular economy and sustainable development.
- Contribute to technical reports, policy briefs, research publications and other research outputs.
- Gain experience examining the application of emerging digital technologies to circular economy solutions.
- Strengthen research leadership, technical analysis and policy advisory skills.
- Collaborate with researchers, technology specialists and professionals from different countries and disciplines.
- Gain exposure to international environmental policy, climate action, renewable energy, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
- Participate in relevant research projects, conferences, webinars and technical engagements where appropriate.
- Build international professional networks and long-term professional relationships.
- Develop experience working within a fully remote and globally distributed organisation.
- Contribute directly to DTID's research agenda, environmental sustainability initiatives and institutional development.
Selection Process
DTID is committed to identifying talented individuals with both demonstrated expertise and strong potential.
As a volunteer-led organisation, DTID recognises that candidates may have acquired their skills through different professional, academic or practical pathways. Applications may therefore be considered on the basis of demonstrated capability, relevant experience, transferable skills and potential.
The selection process will normally include:
- Application screening
- Written or technical assessment
- Interview and/or technical discussion for shortlisted candidates
- Final selection and onboarding
Candidates who successfully complete the written or technical assessment will be invited to progress to the next stage of the recruitment process.
Important Notice
This is an unpaid volunteer position.
