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:

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. 

       Please send a cover letter and CV to Lin Zhu at lindz@bu.edu with the subject line <<First Name Last Name – GCI Academic Researcher>> 

      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 (gci@bu.edu) 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 gegi@bu.edu 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: September 13, 2024.