Research Assistant or Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/d)

The Leibniz Institute for Financial Research SAFE - Sustainable Architecture for Finance in Europe - (www.safe-frankfurt.de) promotes scientific research, transfer work to the public and independent policy advice on all aspects relating to the structure and functioning of the financial system. It aims to contribute to strengthening a sustainable and resilient financial system that drives innovation and serves the needs of the economy and citizens. Researchers from the fields of economics, law, and political science collaborate at SAFE.

Within the European project ESG UPTAKE aimed to strengthen and mainstream Climate and ESG financial risk assessment at supervisory authorities in the EU, we are looking for a researcher/senior researcher to join the team. The project is funded by the European Commission DG Reform and implemented by a consortium of research and academic institutions (Leibniz Institute SAFE, Universita Ca’Foscari di Venezia, Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien). The candidate will work in the team of Prof. Dr. Loriana Pelizzon on data and methods for supervision of climate and ESG risks in Capital Markets (incl. investment funds, bonds, stocks). The role involves advising and collaborating with national financial supervisory authorities and the consortium, to produce high-quality reports and briefings.

Do you have experience with climate and ESG risks and strong drafting skills? Would you like to contribute to the supervision of financial market activities in Europe and to the fulfilment of the EU sustainable finance agenda? Then apply with us.

Your Responsibilities:

• Engage with financial supervisors and researchers on ESG and climate risk topics
• Organize and prepare high-level meetings with supervisors and policymakers, including minuting
• Draft reports, policy briefs, and stakeholder materials; no academic research output required
• Manage and analyze financial risk data for technical solutions supporting the identification of ESG risks
• Support the project’s deliverables and contribute to practical supervisory implementation

Your Profile:

• Enrolment in a Ph.D. programme or Ph.D degree or Masters with 3-4 years of relevant professional experience in Economics, Sustainable Finance, Environmental Sciences, Computer Sciences
• Proven experience in financial economics, financial risk assessment as well and in climate and ESG ris
• Interest to work at the interface between research and policy, and interact with key decision makers in finance
• Strong drafting skills, preparation of meetings with stakeholders, produce reports, manage consultations
• Ability to work independently and deliver according to the deadlines
• Ability to communicate eloquently with senior stakeholders
• Ability to write reports and research articles
• Experience with guiding staff on producing deliverables
• Excellent command of English (written and spoken)
• Good knowledge of climate related financial risks, climate scenarios and stress-tests (including the challenges)
• Good knowledge of capital markets instruments and European regulatory requirements framework
• Experience with designing, building, and maintaining extensive data sets / databases / data infrastructure

We offer:

We offer the infrastructure of a modern research center with excellent contacts to the scientific and financial community. You will be working in a very attractive working environment in the House of Finance at Goethe University and join a young, interdisciplinary and dynamic team of researchers.  You'll have the opportunity to interact with key decision makers in Europe and abroad, and be at the center of the academic and policy debate on climate finance. In addition, you have the possibility to be part and support policy making in ESG and climate risk assessment in Europe. You have also the possibility to conduct policy-relevant work and publish research.

This position is available for 80% -100% working time (40h), starting at the earliest possible date. The initial contract duration is for 1 year with possibility of extension. Remuneration according to the collective agreement for the public sector (Tarifvertrag des öffentlichen Dienstes salary group E13 TV-H - https://oeffentlicher-dienst.info/tv-h/, e.g. step 1a – full time – EUR 4688,80).

SAFE seeks to increase the share of women in research and thus strongly encourages female scholars to apply. We are also committed to promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities and therefore invites them in particular to apply.

Interested? We look forward to receiving your online application!

Applications should include:

• cover letter explaining your motivation for the position and how you fulfill the requirements (max. 2 pages)
• CV with list of publications
• one research article / working paper

Apply now until

31.05.2025 by using the button "Online Application".

Should you have any questions please contact Loriana Pelizzon via e-mail office_pelizzon(at)safe-frankfurt.de.