(Senior) Researcher / Expert on Sustainability Impact Assessment

The Bioeconomy Programme of

the European Forest Institute (EFI) is seeking a

(Senior) Researcher / Expert on Sustainability Impact Assessment

The European Forest Institute (EFI) is an international organisation with 30 member countries and around 130 Associate and Affiliate member organisations. EFI undertakes forest research and policy support at pan-European and global level. Its headquarters are in Joensuu, Finland, and it also has offices in Barcelona, Bonn, Rome, and Brussels. The Institute has approx. 130 staff members. Further information is available at www.efi.int.

EFI's Bioeconomy Programme addresses the need for foresight, interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral research at the interface of markets, products, policies and forest resources. Key research topics of the Programme include (i) the future demand and supply of forest products, forest biomass and ecosystem services, and their implications for sustainable forest management as well as for afforestation and plantation forestry; (ii) sustainability impact assessment and monitoring of forest-based products and services value chains; (iii) the future markets of increasingly diversified and cross-sectoral forest-based products and services as a result of socioeconomic and policy changes; and (iv) the role of innovation and digitalization, and policies affecting sustainable bioeconomy development. To reinforce EFI's Bioeconomy Programme, EFI is seeking a (Senior) Researcher / Expert on Sustainability Impact Assessment.

Tasks and responsibilities

The (Senior) Researcher / Expert will work in the Sustainable Markets and Society team, and will participate in collaborative projects and research proposals of relevance to EFI’s Bioeconomy Programme. The position focuses on developing and piloting sustainability impact assessment (SIA), life-cycle analysis (LCA), biodiversity footprinting methods together with research and practice partners, and mainstreaming these approaches to sustainability strategies and sustainable business models in forest-related sectors.

The (Senior) Researcher / Expert will also be expected to:

• Contribute to developing research funding applications.
• Support project management (contents, finances, reporting).
• Lead and contribute to scientific articles, reports, policy briefs and other publications.
• Present and communicate research results to decision makers, researchers, and stakeholders, and the general public.
• Supervise the work of trainees and junior researchers.

Duty Station

The employee will be based at EFI’s headquarters in Joensuu, Finland.

Employment Conditions

EFI offers competitive benefits and salary package.

The position will be for three years with the possibility for further extension, dependent on project opportunities and successful candidate’s performance.

EFI offers an inspiring, dynamic international and multicultural working environment, varying duties and opportunities to learn new skills.

The successful candidate will be expected to take up the position as soon as possible.

How to apply

Interested candidates are requested to send (in English) a CV including copies of academic degree certificates/diplomas with a motivation letter outlining how you fulfil the requirements for the position, using our online application form.

The recruitment and interview process will be ongoing until the position has been filled, so interested candidates should apply as soon as possible.

EFI is an equal opportunity employer. All applications will be treated confidentially.

For more information about the position, please contact Dr. Päivi Pelli, Senior Researcher: paivi.pelli@efi.int

Applicants are expected to have:

• A master or doctoral degree in sustainability in business, environmental sciences, forestry, ecology, environmental economics, or a closely related discipline.
• At least 5 years of relevant working experience.
• Good understanding of sustainability and the circularity of forestry and forest-based, wood-based sectors.
• Experience in environmental impact assessments, application of Life Cycle Assessment based measurement approaches, environmental footprinting or similar approaches. Familiarity with biodiversity-related assessments and/or natural capital accounting and/or other impact assessment methods, standards and voluntary frameworks for value chain and bio-product assessments and environmental-social-governance (ESG) reporting would be an asset.
• Experience and readiness to work in multi-disciplinary teams in multi-cultural environments.

In addition, applicants will be evaluated for:

• Experience in writing/developing collaborative research proposals.
• Ability to communicate scientific results to non-scientific audiences.
• Solid writing, reporting and presentation skills.
• Established track-record of publishing in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Excellent English language skills, both spoken and written. Other languages are an asset.