Research Analyst - China Team

Research Analyst - China Team

Based in Beijing

Background:

Building on the growing international interest in the circular economy as a positive growth strategy, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation is working with its partners to deliver our mission in China. The overall objective of the China Programme is to build on existing awareness, and to mobilise a broader momentum and focus on the circular economy in both public and private sectors, and to present the circular economy as an enabler to better forms of economic growth.

As a Research Analyst in our team, you will be responsible for supporting our initiative teams in China to implement robust and successful project delivery. You will support the project teams by conducting research and analysis, and facilitating knowledge exchange through workshops, meetings, and events.

Role and responsibilities:

Research and Analysis Support

You will work across a range of strategic projects, with a particular focus on our Critical Minerals mission, Circular Economy policy, and key initiatives within the China Program. The role will support high-quality research and insight generation, contributing to outputs such as reports, case studies, and other knowledge assets. You will collaborate closely with the EMF team, as well as with external research institutions and business partners, to translate evidence into practical, impactful insights. More specifically, you will:

• Conducting rigorous primary and secondary research across critical minerals value chains to generate decision-ready insight;

• Translating complex evidence into clear, high-quality outputs — such as briefings, reports, and case studies — tailored to different audiences;

• Planning and supporting the delivery of workshops and convenings;

• Contributing to the Foundation’s thought leadership by identifying emerging themes and opportunities.

Events

Leading the development and facilitation of project workshops, meetings, and other events, if required, and effectively concluding productive outcomes.

Relationship Management Support

Internal - Working with the project team and other teams in the Foundation to ensure a successful delivery of research and analysis products.

External - Engaging confidently with different stakeholders, including industry, academia, civil society, and policymakers, to drive project progress in China. Manage relationships and identify opportunities to grow the EMF network.

Your profile:

• A good academic record and degree-level qualifications in environmental, business, economics, political science, or other relevant discipline.

• Strong interest in sustainability, the circular economy, and climate & energy, and interest in applying systems thinking to real-world problems (e.g., materials, product systems, supply chains). Ideally, demonstrable interest in critical minerals or adjacent areas (e.g. mining, renewables, climate change, waste, etc).

• 3-5 years’ relevant work experience delivering high-quality analysis and written outputs (if possible, please include links to a publicly available record on paper or publication) in a research, publishing, consulting, strategy, policy, think-tank, or other analytical setting.

• Experience in managing or in support of research projects and managing relationships with a broad range of stakeholders.

• Knowledge of the specific areas and industry of focus of China is advantageous and experience/background with the international environmental governance context would be desirable.

• Experience of working in agile, evolving environments.

• Analytical skills: the ability to structure and solve complex problems; and extract key insights from data, analysis and discussions with a broad spectrum of stakeholder.

• Organizational skills: the ability to manage multiple projects in parallel, establish priorities and effectively collaborate with various internal functions and departments.

• Communication skills: evidence of having written engaging documents; the ability to interact effectively at all levels of an organisation and to contribute proactively with an inquisitive nature to problem-solving in meetings and workshops.

• A team player mindset and comfortable with a certain level of ambiguity.

• Proficient in written and spoken English; consecutive/simultaneous translation would be a definite plus in this role, given the range of stakeholder engagement.

Please apply by clicking on the green icon where you will be asked to upload a CV and covering letter.

Desired starting date: As soon as possible

​Closing date: 30th January 2026 but please note that if we have a strong shortlist before this date we may close the advertisement.

​Salary package: Competitive within the charity sector in China.

​Location: Our offices in Beijing - candidates must already be based in Beijing or willing to relocate. We are not able to sponsor a visa for this role so candidates must have the existing right to work in China.

​

​What we do:

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation develops and promotes the idea of a circular economy. We work with, and inspire, business, academia, policymakers, and institutions to mobilise systems solutions at scale, globally. Our mission is to accelerate the transition to a circular economy.

Our vision is a new economic system that delivers better outcomes for people and the environment. Business models, products, and materials are designed to increase use and reuse, replicating the balance of the natural world, where nothing becomes waste, and everything has value. A circular economy, increasingly built on renewable energy and materials, is distributed, diverse, and inclusive.