Research Fellow: Supply chain emissions accounting (Trase)

Research Fellow: Supply chain emissions accounting (Trase)
Trase (Transparency for Sustainable Economies) is a pioneering sustainability data and intelligence initiative that reveals the connections between consumers, producers and investors, as well as the environmental and social impacts linked to global supply chains.
Trase is jointly led by SEI and Global Canopy with many additional partners and close collaborators. The Trase team is made up of over 40 individuals located in nine countries, brought together by enthusiasm, curiosity and drive.
The role
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 to 34% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and is increasing. A total of 71% of total emissions from the food system, or 24% of all anthropogenic emissions, are due to the combination of land-use and land-use change (LULUC) and production practices, with tropical deforestation from agricultural expansion being 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 their research is policy-relevant and actionable, whether 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 we welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds. Through this role, you will make 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.
Main responsibilities
Advance methods to account for GHG emissions from the agricultural sector, including on-farm practices and deforestation and ecosystem conversion for soy, pasture, cocoa and palm land uses and derived commodities and products, in collaboration with colleagues in the Trase team and partners
Advance methods to account for GHG emissions in downstream stages of commodity transport and manufacturing in collaboration with colleagues in the Trase team and partners
Support Trase to develop data products that can be used in supply chain emissions accounting processes, including in third-party tools such as life cycle assessment (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
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
Publish 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 are 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 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 analyses
Proven ability to apply research to policy and practice of emissions accounting in either public and/or private sector
Proven publication record in areas of expertise
Fluency in written and spoken English
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Desirable
Prior experience engaging with Scope 3 emissions accounting, including as related to 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 soy, pasture, palm oil and cocoa
Ability to work with spatial datasets (GIS) for the purposes of assessing land-based emissions, including from ecosystem conversion from agriculture
Ability to work with large data sets using one or more coding languages such as R and/or Python
Prior experience with data tools and services such as Github, Amazon Web Services and/or Observable
Prior experience with LCA and LCA software packages such as openLCA and/or SimaPro
Open to learning new skills
Language skills, including Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese, Bahasa Indonesian and French
Experience working in multicultural and multilingual teams.

Personal skills
Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to build good working relationships with colleagues and partners
Highly structured and organized
Accuracy and attention to detail
Able to work in a fast-paced environment
Eager to learn and develop
Timely and efficient, and able to prioritize.



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