Sustainability Researcher

Contract Type: Volunteer, Pro Bono
Duration 12 Months (With Possible Extension)
Who we are & What do we believe?
Arcadia is a non-profit, international non-governmental organisation with a global presence, comprising 238 members from all seven continents. Founded and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, Arcadia is dedicated to two core missions:
Our primary mission is to make university-level education accessible to everyone, irrespective of financial, social, geographical, or political barriers. We strive for academic excellence and aim to diminish the limitations to education, ensuring that high-quality education is available to all. Our secondary mission is to foster a global appreciation and support for art. By addressing contemporary global issues through art in our exhibitions, and highlighting significant art events worldwide, we aim to cultivate a deep-seated art consciousness. Our goal is to inspire a greater appreciation for art in the modern world.
At Arcadia, our academic team consists of over 70 international researchers who contribute to Higher Education-level academic articles across a myriad of disciplines. Our commitment to sharing knowledge without any charges or subscriptions ensures that everyone, everywhere, can benefit from our collective expertise. We believe in the transformative power of education and art to create a better, more enlightened world, a modern utopia.
Wherever you are, whoever you are !
We believe that the internet is one of the greatest resources humanity has achieved, giving us the opportunity to exceed our physical boundaries. Arcadia welcomes all; regardless of gender, ethnicity, and age. We embrace diversity and as an international NGO with more than 79 different nationalities, our aim is to support diversity within our teams and allow people all around the world to have the opportunity to join and contribute and grow in their fields of interest.
About the Position
Arcadia is seeking Sustainability Researchers to develop original Research Series within the broad field of sustainability and contribute to Arcadia's growing sustainability research programme. The role is open to researchers whose expertise falls within any academically or professionally established area of sustainability, including, but not limited to, climate science, environmental science, climate and environmental policy, sustainable development, climate economics, environmental economics, sustainable finance, climate finance, energy transition, biodiversity, circular economy, corporate sustainability, climate governance, climate justice and related interdisciplinary fields.
As a Sustainability Researcher, you will develop a complete Research Series within your area of expertise, composed of six interconnected chapters that collectively examine a clearly defined research problem. As established in Arcadia's wider Researcher model, each Series is intended to function as a coherent monograph rather than a collection of disconnected articles. Each Research Series should demonstrate conceptual clarity, analytical depth, methodological soundness and continuity of argument across chapters. Researchers are expected to submit chapters internally on a monthly basis following formal approval of their Research Series proposal. In addition to your individual Research Series, Sustainability Researchers may be invited to participate in collaborative sustainability projects, institutional research initiatives, co-authored publications and external partnerships coordinated through Arcadia's sustainability research programme. Such projects may involve collaboration with other Arcadia Researchers, universities, research centres, non-governmental organisations, international institutions, think tanks, companies or other relevant organisations. Where assigned to an approved sustainability project, you may work under the project leadership of the Sustainability Research Lead for the duration and scope of that project while remaining part of Arcadia's wider Research Department structure.
Key Responsibilities
Research Series Proposal and Development
Prepare a complete Sustainability Research Series proposal within your area of expertise, demonstrating a clearly defined research problem, appropriate academic grounding, methodological suitability and relevance to contemporary sustainability challenges. Develop a complete Research Series composed of six interconnected chapters that collectively form a coherent, sustained academic publication rather than a collection of independent articles.
Sustainability Research and Subject Expertise
Apply relevant academic, scientific, economic, financial, policy or interdisciplinary approaches appropriate to your sustainability specialism. Produce research that demonstrates a strong understanding of the relevant literature, evidence base, methodologies, institutional context and contemporary developments within your field.
Editorial Collaboration and Revision
Work constructively with assigned Subject Expert Editors and Linguistic Expert Editors throughout the review process. Respond to editorial and academic feedback with precision, complete required revisions and maintain professional communication until the work reaches publication readiness. Retain responsibility for the intellectual quality and authorship of your research throughout the editorial process.
Collaborative Sustainability Projects
Where selected, contribute to approved sustainability research projects, co-authored studies, institutional publications or external collaborations. Work effectively within multidisciplinary research teams and contribute your specific subject expertise to shared research objectives. Follow agreed project scope, methodology, responsibilities and deadlines when participating in collaborative work.
Skills and Competencies Required
Sustainability Subject Expertise
Strong academic or professional expertise within at least one recognised area of sustainability. Ability to understand the wider sustainability context surrounding the candidate's own specialism and engage constructively with interdisciplinary perspectives.
Academic Writing and Thesis Control
Ability to produce analytically coherent academic writing of publication standard. Ability to maintain a clear thesis, develop arguments logically, avoid unsupported claims and ensure that each section contributes to the central analytical position.
Collaboration and Professional Communication
Ability to contribute effectively to multidisciplinary and co-authored research projects. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain specialised sustainability topics to researchers from other fields.
Qualifications
A completed PhD in sustainability, environmental science, climate science, economics, finance, public policy, political science, development studies, energy, business, law, engineering, geography or another relevant academic or professional field is strongly preferred.
Candidates currently pursuing a PhD may be considered where they demonstrate substantial research capability, publication history or long-form research experience.
Candidates from specialised professional backgrounds may also be considered where they demonstrate advanced subject expertise and substantial research or publication experience relevant to sustainability.
Prior research outputs may include peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, policy papers, institutional research reports, scientific publications, economic studies, financial research, thesis-based publications or equivalent substantial research work.
Ability to produce one Research Series chapter per month, with each chapter meeting the expected minimum of approximately 4,000 words while maintaining analytical depth, originality and conceptual continuity.
Strong familiarity with research methods, citation standards, ethical research practices and evidence-based analysis. Capacity for independent research combined with the ability to collaborate effectively with editorial and multidisciplinary research teams.
Fluency in English (CEFR C1).
Comfortable with a part-time volunteer commitment of approximately 8–10 hours per week, working remotely with flexibility in selecting their own working hours while meeting agreed publication expectations, communication standards, and monthly deadlines.
What We Offer
An online certificate with an international serial number after completing one year at Arcadia.
Access to Arcadia's Executive Education Certificate Program, which includes six courses totaling 64 hours, specifically tailored for your role, with international certification.
Access to a global network of seasoned professionals and con

Work arrangement
Yes