Research Fellow: Social impact and acceptability assessment

SEI HQ is looking for an experienced Research Fellow to support a portfolio of projects related to understanding the impacts of sustainability transitions and technologies. In particular, we are looking for an expert who can provide substantive advice, technical expertise, and knowledge in impact assessments and understanding societal consequences of transition processes.
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Type of contract: Full-time, permanent
Deadline: 12 May 2023
Start date: As soon as possible
The role
As a Research Fellow, you will play a vital role in the development of C-sink, a Horizon Europe project. C-sink aims to lay the foundation for a standardized, transparent European Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) market, bolstered by reliable accounting methodologies and effective policy strategies. The project will involve thorough scientific assessments of various CDR approaches, examining their CO2 uptake potential, safety, and long-term impacts.
C-SINK will evaluate the feasibility, legality, political, social, economic and environmental aspects of numerous emerging and established nature-based and engineered CDR methods, as well as their synergies when combined. The project will also explore the necessary steps for their rapid, large-scale, effective and unbiased deployment, including policy and MRV development recommendations.
Within this project, SEI leads the work package focusing on the Social, Environmental, and Total Economic Value Assessment of the different CDR technologies. SEI will primarily oversee the methodological design of the integrated assessment, centring on the social impact and acceptability of these technologies across various case study locations. This will involve designing a survey to analyze the intended and unintended consequences on people and conducting qualitative research to uncover the subtle differences in social acceptability.
SEI will also spearhead a deliverable that synthesizes findings from social impact, environmental, and economic and technical studies. Using multi-criteria decision-making analysis, the CDR technologies will be compared from social, economic, and environmental perspectives. This process includes modelling simplified comparable scenarios for different CDR approaches, both in selected C-SINK pilot use cases (at least three) and within a generalized framework for future applications. The scenarios will consider site-specific characteristics, social impact analysis, environmental analysis, ecosystem services analysis and techno-economic analysis, as well as timing criteria (i.e., different outcomes depending on time). The alternative scenarios will highlight the benefits and potential drawbacks of each option, ultimately supporting and illustrating decisions regarding CDR solutions or suggesting their combination.
You will also be expected to network and fundraise in the future, bringing new projects and partnership opportunities to SEI.


Key duties and responsibilities
Build and lead a portfolio of projects on societal impact assessment
Support the successful implementation of projects and eventually lead projects
Collaborate and support team members working on other projects
Undertake research, analyze data, and identify country trends related to impact assessments
Identify new partnerships, fundraising opportunities, and bring new projects to SEI

In C-sink
Support the project lead with overall project planning and methodology
Lead social impact and acceptability studies, supporting junior colleagues
Support the integrated impact assessment, synthesizing findings from various assessments
Analyze policies supporting the uptake of CDR technologies in the EU and beyond
Develop methodologies for “how-to” guidance on social impact and acceptability research

Required qualifications, competencies and experience
Master’s degree (preferably PhD) in Social Science, Political Science, Environmental Management, Human Geography or related field
7+ years of experience in research on impact assessment, sustainability transitions, and social acceptability studies
Demonstrated experience in thought leadership, guidance and best practices for impact assessments
Knowledge of EU and international environmental or climate policy frameworks and decision-making processes
Excellent English communication skills; proven experience in producing high-quality research papers
Ability to work effectively and meet deadlines