BE THE NEXT INDONESIAN YOUNG ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCHER!
About Wahana Riset Indonesia (Young Scientists Incubator)
Wahana Riset Indonesia (Young Scientists Incubator) is an initiative from WRI Indonesia to nurture a battalion of young researchers to conduct research on environmental issues and generate high-quality knowledge products, which will support science-based policy-making in sustainable development. This initiative is the third batch of its kind, where WRI Indonesia once again invites young people who has a specific interest in research to join. In the past, WRI Indonesia successfully managed 2 batches of Wahana Riset Indonesia over the course of 3 years from 2017 โ 2019 resulting in 11 scientific publications, 4 international conference presentations, 6 policy notes, and 2 books.
For this year, Wahana Riset Indonesia has chosen the research theme of โReimagining Resilient Coastal Cities in Indonesia.โ To support this theme, the young research assistant, at the end of this program, is expected to co-produce research products in one of the six main research areas: (1) Urban Coastal Climate Vulnerability and Resilience, (2) Coastal Livelihood and Food Security, (3) Sustainable Aquaculture/Marine Plastic Waste, (4) Air pollution in Coastal Areas, (5) Climate Action (Adaptation and Mitigation) Planning and Implementation, and (6) Urban transport/mobility.
About the Research
As the worldโs largest archipelagic nation, Indonesia is highly vulnerable to natural disasters, with over 58% of its population living in coastal citiesโmany of which are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Facing rapid urbanization and intensifying impacts of climate change, Indonesian cities are becoming increasingly vulnerable to environmental problems such as air pollution, food and plastic waste, and climate-induced risks like coastal flooding, sea level rise and warmer temperatures. By 2050, an estimated 23 million people in Indonesiaโs coastal cities could be at risk due to rising sea levels. These climate threats are further exacerbated by unsustainable urban development, pollution, and overexploitation of coastal resources, weakening the resilience of both communities and ecosystems. Without urgent action, the socio-economic consequences could be devastating, especially for vulnerable communities who depend on coastal resources for their survival and livelihoods. Addressing these complex issues requires innovative, data-driven solutions and policies informed by applied research.
WRI Indonesia has been working extensively on trying to address these issues by working with governments, businesses, multilateral institutions and civil society groups to develop practical solutions to improve peopleโs lives, mitigate and adapt to climate change, and ensure nature can thrive in Indonesia. By focusing on the climate resilience issues, this research incubator aims to support WRIโs global impact targets and vision: โAll urban residents enjoy a higher quality of life and livable and climate resilient neighborhoods with equitable and low carbon access to jobs and core services.โ
Through this program, we ask the overarching question: \"How can Indonesia's coastal cities enhance climate resilience in the face of rapid urbanization and environmental change?โ. To explore this high-level question, the Research Assistant will work with one of WRI-Indonesiaโs two research clusters to conduct research on specific sub-themes where we aim to develop and refine our research questions and approaches in the effort to answer the overarching question. Some of the research areas include (but are not limited to):
- Urban Climate Vulnerability and Resilience
- Coastal Livelihoods and Food Security / Sustainable Aquaculture
- Marine plastic waste / waste management
- Air pollution in Coastal Areas
- Climate Action (Adaptation and Mitigation) Planning and Implementation.
- Urban transport/Mobility
What We Are Looking For
Preferably individuals who have an Undergraduate degree relevant to either one of following subjects: (1) Urban Climate Vulnerability and Resilience; (2) Coastal Livelihood and Food Security; (3) Sustainable Aquaculture and fisheries; (4) Air pollution; (5) Climate Action (Adaptation & Mitigation) Planning and Implementation; (6) Urban transport/Mobility.
Early career researcher who have a minimum of 2 years of working experience and a minimum 3 years of research experience (research experience could include part-time research during university or research while working in the job).
What You Should Have
- Minimum 3 years of research experience and minimum 2 years of formal working experience
- Excellent academic performance, ideally with a minimum GPA 3.2
- Strong research skills with flexibility and willingness to explore unfamiliar topic/issue
- Strong interest in Indonesia environment, natural resources, and sustainability issues
- Committed to stay until the end of the research project (up to 31 December 2025)
- Demonstrated proficiency in oral and written English and Indonesian (English: TOEFL:550, IELTS: 6).
- Basic understanding of research methodology.
- Self-motivated individual with the ability to think critically and effectively manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Strong interpersonal skills, able to work with diverse team while thriving in independent work situation
- Legally able to work in Indonesia
Performance Standards
- Consistently delivering results within the agreed-upon time frames
- Research tasks are delivered in a satisfactory manner according to WRI standards
- Adhering to research ethical guidelines, including maintaining confidentiality of sensitive data
Deliverables
- Co-author a good-quality and ready-to-submit draft of a WRI knowledge product and/or journal article
- Report of data analysis
- Co-author Op-Eds on domestic and/or international news outlets (if assigned)
Contract Arrangement
Individual Consultant (Part-time, limited term)
Terms of Payment Daily rate-based with maximum of 18 working days per month on average.
How To Apply
Your application must include:
- Cover letter indicating your motivation to apply, your preferred research topic(s), and why you are an excellent fit for this position and the selected research topic(s) (Max. 2 pages). The cover letter must be written in English.
- Curriculum Vitae (in English)
- 1 letter of recommendation from referees. This could be university lecturers, former employers or academic supervisors
- A short writing piece or essay related to particular research topics you are interested in (Max. 2 pages).
- A degree certificate and certificates that demonstrate your eligibility for the position
- English proficiency test results (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, etc), if any
- One or more links to sample of writing Publication /Journal article/ Newspaper/ Magazine
In order to be formally considered, please submit all application documents through WRI career portal.
What we offer
- Rate that is commensurate with experience and skills
- Research experience under the guidance of expert mentors in a specialized topic of interest
- Travel insurance for both domestic and international for any travel duty as assigned by WRI Indonesia
- Access to the WRI global network
- A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
Application close: 1700 (DKI Jakarta local time), 28 February 2025. We will close the advert earlier when the best candidates are identified at earlier dates.
About Us
Founded in 1982, World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.
The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the worldโs greatest environment and international development challenges and improve peopleโs lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.