Research Analyst, Critical Minerals.
Hybrid
UK based
Shaping a circular economy for critical and strategic minerals and materials is one of the most urgent and high-impact levers we have to advance the clean energy transition, secure digital infrastructure, and enable resilient industrial systems. The global economy is undergoing a massive transformation – electrification, digitisation, and decarbonisation are driving exponential demand for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, and rare earths.
In 2025, the Critical Minerals Mission at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation was launched to accelerate the transition towards a circular economy for critical minerals (CMs) / Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) in the context of decarbonisation across energy (including renewable generation and storage), transport (including electric vehicles, batteries, and charging infrastructure), and industrial processes, as well as the expansion of the digital economy (including electronics, data centres, and related technologies).
Our commitment to you:
We are keen to receive applications from people from underrepresented backgrounds, including (but not limited to) those of colour, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, and people from other marginalised groups. It is important to us that our recruitment approach makes the opportunity as accessible as possible and ensures a diverse range of people can demonstrate their potential. We would be happy to provide any further support that you may require - please get in touch so that we can work together.
If you would like further information on our diversity and inclusion policy or any further assistance, please contact us at recruitment@ellenmacarthurfoundation.org.
Role and Responsibilities:
You will support the Critical Minerals Mission by developing and writing thought leadership and high-quality research outputs, conducting rigorous research and analysis to deepen the Foundation’s knowledge and expertise across critical minerals value chains in the energy and digital transition. In particular, the Mission will focus on the critical minerals (CMs) / Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) in the context of decarbonisation across energy (including renewable generation and storage), transport (including electric vehicles, batteries, and charging infrastructure), and industrial processes, as well as the expansion of the digital economy (including electronics, data centres, and related technologies).
This role facilitates knowledge exchange with stakeholders, including Advisory Board members, and supports the design, preparation, and delivery of in-person and online events that convene the network. Through research, insight generation, primary and secondary analysis, and collaboration, you will contribute to advancing evidence-based solutions and strengthening EMF’s impact and the value we bring to collaborative partnerships.
As an ambitious team with intention for global impact, you will play a crucial role in helping the Critical Minerals Mission to move faster by turning complex information into decision-ready insights, credible external outputs, and stronger partner convenings.
Specifically, your role will involve the following:
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Conduct rigorous primary and secondary research across critical minerals value chains to generate decision-ready insights that support the Foundation’s Critical Minerals Mission and the transition to a circular economy.
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Translate complex evidence into clear, high-quality outputs (e.g., research writing, briefings, reports, case studies, slide decks, and practical tools) tailored to different audiences.
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Plan and support the delivery of workshops and convenings (online and in person), including agenda design, speaker/expert input, pre-reads, facilitation support, and post-event synthesis.
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Provide presentable research inputs to industry collaborations and project workstreams, including sector scanning, stakeholder mapping, and technical/market analysis to inform strategy and delivery.
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Engage confidently with different stakeholders (industry, academia, civil society, policymakers), representing EMF’s work and communicating circular economy concepts with clarity and credibility.
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Maintain a robust internal knowledge base (sources, interview notes, datasets, key learnings) and contribute to the Foundation’s thought leadership by identifying emerging themes and opportunities.
Your profile:
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1 to 2 years’ experience delivering high-quality analysis and written outputs in a research, publishing, consulting, strategy, policy, think-tank, or other analytical setting (relevant internships would be taken into account).
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Strong interest in sustainability, energy and the circular economy, 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).
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Communication & writing skills: Evidence of producing concise, well-structured writing for different audiences (internal briefings, external-facing notes, slide decks), with strong attention to clarity and tone. Strong verbal communication skills (such as past experience in presenting to different stakeholders) will be highly advantageous.
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Research and analysis: Evidence of undertaking research tasks and converting this research to presentable insights for commercial, policy and technical stakeholders, including demonstrating some experience in both quantitative and qualitative research
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Ideally, comparable experience and demonstrable comfort working in a fast-moving environment - demonstrated ability to contribute to multiple writing and research workstreams, and ability to iterate quickly based on feedback and emerging priorities. Ability to work proactively and in a self-directed manner against tight deadlines. Good at incorporating and learning from feedback.
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Stakeholder and workshop skills: Confident in engaging technical and non-technical stakeholders; contributes constructively to meetings, asks strong questions, and synthesises discussions.
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Languages: Fluency in English is required. Additional working-level languages are an advantage but not a core requirement (e.g., German, Mandarin).
Please click on the green icon where you will be asked to upload a CV and covering letter outlining how you feel you match the core requirements of the role.
Please note that we are unable to sponsor a Skilled Worker Visa for this role. All applicants must have an existing right to work in the UK which is valid for at least 18 months.
Desired starting date: As soon as possible
Closing date: 23rd January 2026
Salary package: circa £33,000 dependent on experience level plus generous holiday allowance (25 days plus UK Bank Holidays plus discretionary extra days during the office closure between Christmas and New year and Easter) generous parental leave; enhanced pension options/private health scheme after 6 months; wellbeing programme.
Location: We have offices in Cowes on the Isle of Wight and at Somerset House in London but, depending on circumstances, we also welcome individuals to work remotely from anywhere in the UK. We cannot support remote working from overseas for this role.
Application process:
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Initial zoom meeting with our Talent team and prospective Line manager to start the process (we will send you the outline of the interview, so you know what to expect).
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A work-related assignment to complete at home or as part of the interview process so we know you will be comfortable with the type of work you would do here.
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In person or Zoom Interview with our People Team, Team Lead and prospective manager.
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.
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:
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Conducting rigorous primary and secondary research across critical minerals value chains to generate decision-ready insight;
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Translating complex evidence into clear, high-quality outputs — such as briefings, reports, and case studies — tailored to different audiences;
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Planning and supporting the delivery of workshops and convenings;
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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:
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A good academic record and degree-level qualifications in environmental, business, economics, political science, or other relevant discipline.
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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).
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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.
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Experience in managing or in support of research projects and managing relationships with a broad range of stakeholders.
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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.
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Experience of working in agile, evolving environments.
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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.
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Organizational skills: the ability to manage multiple projects in parallel, establish priorities and effectively collaborate with various internal functions and departments.
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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.
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A team player mindset and comfortable with a certain level of ambiguity.
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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.
Chief Operating Officer
UK-based (Hybrid / Flexible)
About the Ellen MacArthur Foundation
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation develops and promotes the idea of a circular economy — one that is restorative and regenerative by design. Through research, business collaboration and advocacy, the Foundation works to accelerate the global transition from a linear take-make-waste economy to
one that designs out waste and pollution; keeps products and materials in use and regenerates natural systems.
After 15 years setting the ambition across the globe resulting in 75 countries with strategic circular economy roadmaps and 55% of businesses with a circular economy strategy, we are now entering a new phase around implementation and scale up of the circular economy in action in the Global South as well as the Global North. We are seeking a Chief Operating Officer for this new era.
Although an NGO, the Foundation operates to make the circular economy a reality at the highest levels of global organisations and governments. This means it requires operations which are nimble and aligned with creating new market opportunities.
Role Summary
As Chief Operating Officer, you will play a key strategic and operational leadership role at the Foundation. You will be responsible for the day-to-day administrative and operational functions of the organisation, ensuring alignment between the Foundation’s mission, people, systems, and impact. Working in partnership with the CEO and part of the global executive leadership team, you will help scale the Foundation’s work globally while safeguarding operational excellence, financial sustainability, and a thriving internal culture.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Operations
Translate the Foundation’s strategic goals into effective operational plans.
Lead cross-functional coordination to ensure programmes are delivered on time, within budget, and with measurable impact.
Drive the execution of key organisational initiatives, especially as the Foundation scales its influence globally.
Expand internationally, whilst maintaining a consistency in operations in every region.
People Leadership & Culture:
Drive the development of talent across the Foundation, working closely with the People Team to ensure professional growth opportunities are available and aligned with the organisation's mission and values.
Manage and mentor the heads of key departments creating a collaborative and transparent leadership culture.
Champion the Foundation’s values of innovation, sustainability, and collaboration.
Financial & Legal Oversight
Oversee budgeting, financial planning, compliance, and risk management with the Executive Finance Lead and General Counsel.
Ensure that funding and expenditure aligns with strategic priorities and donor requirements.
Governance & Reporting
Support the CEO and Board of Trustees with timely and accurate reporting on performance and operations.
Ensure that operational policies and procedures meet the highest standards of transparency, ethics, and sustainability.
Systems & Technology
Lead the optimisation of technology and infrastructure to support collaboration, measurement, and impact.
Drive continuous improvement through the adoption of best-in-class operational tools and systems.
Experience
- Proven experience (15+ years) in a senior operations leadership role, ideally in the mission-driven sector, or with a private sector background and experience of non-profit or philanthropic organisations.
- Demonstrated track record of managing complex organisational functions with a global footprint.
- Experience of realising new business models and revenue model constructs.
- Deep understanding of impact-oriented work, with an affinity for the circular economy and sustainability.
- Strong financial acumen, including experience with budgeting, compliance, and strategic resource allocation.
- Strong legal mindset, particularly for corporate law; charity law experience a plus
- Good understanding of technology stack required for a global 160+ organisation to balance best use of spend in terms of insourcing vs. outsourcing and licencing
- Excellent leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills with a collaborative approach to problem-solving.
Personal Characteristics
- Purpose-driven with a passion for systemic change and market innovation.
- Pragmatic, creative and solutions-oriented, and adaptive in a dynamic and evolving context.
- Global outlook, with a strong appreciation of different cultural strengths
- An inspiring leader who brings clarity, trust, and momentum to teams and partners.
- Committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion both internally and externally.
What We Offer
- An opportunity to work at the forefront of one of the most critical transitions of our time.
- A collaborative, forward-thinking workplace culture.
- Competitive compensation and benefits.
- The chance to work with a globally respected team and network of thought leaders, changemakers, and innovators.
Desired starting date: May 2026
Closing date: 23rd January 2026
Remuneration package: competitive within the NGO sector plus generous holiday allowance and benefits package.
Location: This role will be based in the UK. We have offices in Cowes on the Isle of Wight and Somerset House in London and we support flexible and hybrid working models.
To apply, please click on the green icon where you will be asked to upload a CV and covering letter outlining how your experience meets the core requirements of the role.