Careers

Founded in 2017, the Boston University Global Development Policy Center’s mission is to advance policy-oriented research for financial stability, human well-being and environmental sustainability.

To fulfill our mission, we conduct rigorous policy research; provide a convening place for scholars and stakeholders; engage in policy dialogue with policymakers, civil society and media; and offer experiential learning for Boston University students. The GDP Center strives to not only be a think tank, but also a do tank. Come work with us.

Current Openings:

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS & OUTREACH, Global Development Policy Center

The Assistant Director of Communications and Outreach develops and manages the GDP Center’s overall strategic communications and outreach programs. They communicate with stakeholders at all levels to effectively represent the GDP Center and ensure compliance with Boston University’s (BU) brand guidelines. They are responsible for producing content for the GDP Center’s website, social media outlets, press advisories, email marketing, and other publications for internal and external stakeholders. They track and report on communications and outreach impact, publications, media mentions, and web/social/email analytics, recommending improvements and changes to strategy as necessary. They also oversee the logistics of virtual and in-person events. This role reports to the Director and Executive Director of the GDP Center and directly supervises the Global China Initiatives (GCI) Communications & Outreach Associate, the Global Economic Governance Initiatives (GEGI) Communications & Outreach Specialist, and students.

Essential Functions:

  • Communications Strategy & Implementation (30%):
    • Work with the Inaugural Director and Executive Director of the GDP Center to develop goals, strategies, tactics, and messaging for programming and initiatives aimed at both University and external audiences across all appropriate platforms, including web, social media, video, digital, and print, using tools such as CISION, Sprinklr, Infogram, HubSpot, and others.
    • Actively engage in media relations efforts and build relationships with reporters and the media.
    • Responsible for producing and posting content to the website and other communications platforms.
    • Oversee content produced by others and updates to the Center website and social media platforms.
    • Develop monthly reports on web, email, and social media metrics for the Center.
    • Oversee various tracking platforms and provide metrics on these initiatives for grant reporting.
  • Events & Outreach (30%):
    • Responsible for coordinating events such as conferences, workshops, community events, discussions, book launches, and presentations, both virtually and in-person, on campus and off-campus.
    • Serve as the point of contact for speakers, provide advance information to participants, and coordinate the logistics and communications to support event promotion, set-up, catering, facilities requests, and post-event activities.
    • Establish and maintain good working relationships with internal and external service providers, contractors, and partner universities and institutes.
    • Oversee the work of the Communications & Outreach Associate/Specialist in this area.
  • Editorial Strategy and Implementation (30%):
    • Ideate, produce and publish content for the GDP Centers website, social media, email and other communications platforms.
    • Collaborate with the Center Director, Executive Director and researchers to author key website blogposts.
    • Develop internal and external presentation materials.
    • Create visual content to support internal and external initiatives and platforms using tools such as Canva, InDesign, Infogram and more.
    • Develop, manage and maintain institutional collateral, photography and messaging, ensuring consistent delivery of the GDP Center and BU brands.
    • Oversee the work of the Communications & Outreach Associate/Specialist and Communications Fellows in this area.
    • Coordinate with the marketing communications team of the Office of Research, BU Marketing & Communications, and other departments or centers as necessary.
  • Report Production (10%):
    • Oversee the entire print and digital design production process, including negotiating costs and schedules with vendors to ensure high-quality products and timely delivery.
    • Act as the primary contact for graphic and data design consultants, as well as vendors.
    • Utilize software such as InDesign and Canva to create and edit reports and publications.

Required Skills:

  • Educational Background: A Bachelor’s degree in International Development, Global Economics, Political Science, or a related field is required; a Master’s degree is preferred.
  • Expertise in Global Economic Governance and Development Finance: The ideal candidate should have a deep understanding of international development and economic governance.

Apply here.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. 

ACADEMIC RESEARCHER/SENIOR ACADEMIC RESEARCHER, CHINA AND THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL ARCHITECTURE, Global China Initiative

The Boston University Global Development Policy Center seeks an Academic Researcher/Senior Academic Researcher with a strong background in China and international financial institutions to lead our China and the International Financial Architecture work stream at the Global China Initiative. 

The Global China Initiative (GCI) was founded to advance policy-oriented research on China’s overseas economic activity and engagement with international institutions in order to enable financial stability, human well-being, and environmental sustainability. Within GCI, research is conducted across four programs: Energy and Climate, Forestry, Agriculture and Indigenous Rights in the Belt and Road Initiative (FAIR-BRI), China and the International Financial Architecture, and Data Analysis for Transparency and Accountability (D.A.T.A.).  

GCI is seeking an Academic Researcher/Senior Academic Researcher with a background in China and the International Financial Architecture to lead policy oriented research on: 

  1. China and the Global Financial Safety Net;
  2. China and Global Development Finance;
  3. China and the sovereign debt restructuring architecture. 

      The primary responsibilities of the Academic Researcher/Senior Academic Researcher for China and the International Financial Architecture group will be to conduct rigorous and policy-oriented research on topics related to China’s engagement both inside the legacy Bretton Woods institutions and outside through a network of newer bilateral and multilateral institutions that China has joined or co-founded in this century. The Academic Researcher/Senior Academic Researcher will also be the team leader for GCI’s China and the international financial architecture group, synthesizing and managing research across the group and representing the group at internal and external meetings. 

      In addition to competitive compensation, the Academic Researcher/Senior Academic Researcher will receive funding for data collection, fieldwork, travel to conferences, as well as potentially be eligible for reimbursement for relocation expenses. This is an in-person position at GDP Center’s offices at Boston University. 

      Qualifications:

      • Advanced degree in international economics, international political economy, economics, political science, or related fields; PhD preferred. 
      • Working proficiency in Chinese. 
      • Track record of high-impact publications on topics related to China and the international financial architecture. 
      • Interest in global development policy and China’s role in the international financial architecture. 
      • Strong writing skills, including technical writing as well as the ability to summarize technical research with a wider audience of media and policymakers. 
      • Demonstrated project and program management experience. 

      How to apply:

       Please send a cover letter and CV to Lin Zhu at [email protected] with the subject line <<First Name Last Name – GCI Academic Researcher>> 

      Data Analyst, Global China Initiative

      The Global China Initiative (GCI) of the Boston University Global Development Policy (GDP) Center seeks a skilled Data Analyst with expertise in China’s involvement in international development to join the Data Analysis for Transparency and Accountability (D.A.T.A.) research group in Boston, Massachusetts.

      The Global China Initiative at the GDP Center advances policy-oriented research on China’s overseas economic activity and engagement with international institutions in order to enable financial stability, human well-being and environmental sustainability.

      GCI manages a suite of five interactive public databases that collectively track billions of dollars in Chinese loans and investments to various sectors, including energy and other infrastructure development. Databases include China’s Overseas Development Finance (CODF) Database, the Chinese Loans to Africa (CLA) Database, the Chinese Loans to Latin America and the Caribbean (CLLAC) Database, the Chinese Global Energy Finance (CGEF) Database, and China’s Global Power (CGP) Database. 

      Job Description:

      As a Data Analyst on the GDP Center’s D.A.T.A team, you will support research on China’s overseas development finance and help manage a suite of databases to aid researchers, policymakers and journalists better understand Chinese financing activities abroad. This role covers China’s international development relations globally, without a specific regional focus.

      Roles and Responsibilities:

      • Support the team lead in data collection, quality review and additional research for analysis and reporting.
      • Co-author quantitative and qualitative policy briefs, economic bulletins and other reports for various audiences.
      • Help manage key GDP Center datasets, exploring ways to enhance data collection processes and leveraging technology to automate and optimize database administration.

      Desired Qualifications:

      • International development and development finance: Strong understanding of global financial institutions and China’s role, including overseas lending, foreign direct investment and the Belt and Road initiative.
      • Data collection and cleaning: Proficient in conducting Boolean searches on Google to identify, clean and review key data and promote consistency across GCI-managed databases.
      • Data analysis and tools: Demonstrated proficiency with Excel/Google Sheets for data manipulation and statistical methods. Experience with Python/R and advanced programming knowledge is desirable.
      • Collaboration: Collaborate with research teams on policy-oriented writing projects.
      • Languages: Proficiency in Mandarin Chinese and/or other foreign languages such as Indonesian, Arabic, Vietnamese, Farsi and Burmese is preferred but not required.

        How to apply:

        Please submit your cover letter and resume to the [email protected] with the subject line “Data Analyst Application.”

        Fellows Program, 2025-2026, Global China Initiative

        The Global China Fellows Program is a flagship program of the Global China Initiative (GCI) at the Boston University Global Development Policy Center (GDP Center). Since its inception in 2017, the Fellows Program has supported more than 40 Pre- and Post-doctoral Fellows from around the world to engage in policy-oriented research and commentary on China’s role in (re)shaping global affairs.  

        The Fellows Program provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to engage and collaborate with GDP Center researchers, BU faculty members and Global South-based institutions to conduct policy-oriented research on China’s overseas economic activity and engagement with international institutions to advance financial stability, human well-being and environmental sustainability. Global China Fellows are paired with a BU faculty member or GDP Center Senior Academic Researcher under one of the four GCI workstreams: Data Analysis for Transparency and Accountability (D.A.T.A.); Forestry, Agriculture, Indigenous Rights and the Belt and Road Initiative (FAIR-BRI); Energy and Climate; and China and the International Financial Architecture (CHIFA).  Fellows contribute to GCI research projects while receiving guidance and support on their own independent research projects. Fellows are expected to produce one GCI working paper per appointment year.  

        Required Qualifications:

        • Pre-doctoral applicants must have completed their qualification/comprehensive exams and defended their dissertation proposal; post-doctoral applicants must have successfully defended their dissertation by August 2025; 
        • Strong research interest and expertise in China’s overseas economic activities and engagement with international institutions. 

          Preferred Qualifications: 

          • Experience in priority geographical regions of interest, in addition to China, such as Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia; 
          • Fluency in Chinese or a language from one of the priority regions; 
          • Experience researching the relationship between China’s overseas engagement and the following issues is most preferred:
            • The role of China and Chinese development finance institutions in expanding energy access and renewable energy, decarbonization and addressing climate change;
            • Biodiversity and Indigenous Lands, geolocation and mapping;
            • International economic institutions, reform of the global sovereign debt architecture, debt sustainability, the Global Financial Safety Net and RMB internationalization.
          • The GDP Center accepts applications from scholars of all disciplinary backgrounds, especially the natural and social sciences, engineering and business. Quantitative methodological and modeling expertise are strongly preferred. 

          The majority of the fellowships will be awarded for the 2025-2026 academic year. Fellows will receive a competitive stipend and modest funding for data collection and/or fieldwork and potentially be eligible for reimbursement of relocation expenses. Fellows are expected to complete their fellowship in-person at the GDP Center’s offices at Boston University. 

                To apply: 

                Interested applicants should send the following materials in one PDF to the Global China Initiative Team ([email protected]) with the subject line “<<LastName_FirstName>> GCI Fellow Application 2025-2026″:  

                1. Recent Curriculum Vitae.  
                2. A 1-2 page cover letter describing applicant’s academic training, research interests and experience.  
                3. A 1-2 page working paper proposal that outlines the research question(s), methodology, research plan and its significance. 
                4. Contact information for two references. 

                Applications must be received by December 20, 2024, 11:59 PM EST. Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with screening interviews starting in October. Due to the volume of applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.  

                For International candidates: International candidates will need express approval from their sponsoring institution stating that the potential fellow is allowed to earn income from another institution. This is especially important for international students with J-1 visas. Note: If you do not currently have a valid US scholar visa, certain research positions at Boston University qualify for immigration sponsorship. Prospective scholars should first establish their potential affiliation with the GDP Center as a pre- or post-doctoral fellow and clarify the terms of their appointment. BU’s International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) will work with the prospective scholar and the GDP Center to evaluate which immigration classification is most appropriate. The ISSO will consider various factors such as the appointment/affiliation terms, the scholar’s educational achievements and US immigration history. 

                Fellows Program, 2025-2026, Global Economic Governance Initiative

                The Global Economic Governance Initiative (GEGI) advances policy-oriented research to enable the international financial architecture to foster financial stability, human well-being and environmental sustainability across the globe. Within GEGI, research is conducted across three thematic programs: climate and development finance, financial stability and development, and trade and investment rules. GEGI also focuses on emerging and cross-cutting challenges such as just transitions, financial stability and climate change. The Initiative hosts flagship programs, such as the Working Group on Trade Treaties and Access to Medicines and the Task Force on Climate, Development and the International Monetary Fund. 

                The Global Economic Governance Fellows Program offers the opportunity to conduct independent research in line with GEGI’s research areas and participate in GEGI’s research projects, policy engagement and Center-wide activities. Fellows will be expected to support research activities in one or more of the thematic programs, with specific focus on: 

                • The role of development banks (multilateral, regional or national) in enhancing climate and development action, particularly in mobilizing resources and facilitating a just transition away from fossil fuels; 
                • The intersection of the international trade regime with climate change (including green industrialization strategies) and access to medicines; and 
                • Financial stability and development, with a focus on reform of the global debt architecture to be fit-for-purpose, the Global Financial Safety Net and the International Monetary Fund. 

                Fellows contribute to GEGI research projects while receiving guidance and support on their own independent research projects. Fellows are expected to produce one GEGI working paper per appointment year. 

                Applicant Qualifications: 

                • Enrolled in or graduated from a PhD program. Pre-doctoral fellows must be enrolled in doctoral programs. The GDP Center will accept applications from all disciplines, especially the natural and social sciences, engineering and business. 
                • Strong research interest in one or more of the GEGI areas of focus: development finance institutions, trade and investment rules, and financial stability. 
                • Quantitative and/or qualitative methodological expertise as appropriate, specifically with Excel and Tableau. 

                The majority of the fellowships will be awarded for the 2025-2026 academic year. Fellows will receive a competitive stipend and modest funding for data collection and/or fieldwork and potentially be eligible for reimbursement for relocation expenses. This fellowship program is in-person at the GDP Center. 

                Interested applicants should send the following materials in one PDF to [email protected] with the subject line “<<LastName_FirstName>> GEGI Fellow Application 2025-2026″: 

                • A cover letter that demonstrates interest and experience in GEGI-related research.  
                • A current curriculum vitae.  
                • A 1-2 page individual working paper proposal that outlines the research question(s), methodology, research plan and its significance. 
                • A writing sample that reflects the candidate’s research interests (no more than 30 pages) 
                • Contact information for two references. 

                Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until December 15, 2024. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Due to the volume of applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.  

                For International candidates: International candidates will need express approval from their sponsoring institution stating that the potential fellow is allowed to earn income from another institution. This is especially important for international students with J-1 visas. Note: If you do not currently have a valid US scholar visa, certain research positions at Boston University qualify for immigration sponsorship. Prospective scholars should first establish their potential affiliation with the GDP Center as a pre- or post-doctoral fellow and clarify the terms of their appointment. BU’s International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) will work with the prospective scholar and the GDP Center to evaluate which immigration classification is most appropriate. The ISSO will consider various factors such as the appointment/affiliation terms, the scholar’s educational achievements and US immigration history. 

                Page last updated: November 12, 2024.