Mid–senior researcher in data systems and digital governance

About the role

The objective of this position is to strengthen the team’s capacity to develop and apply data-driven and systems-based approaches across water, coastal and marine domains – including federated data systems, decision-support tools and geospatial analysis – while contributing to project leadership and new funding opportunities.

The researcher will work across the team’s three pillars and multiple projects, bringing methodological coherence to data-intensive work and reducing dependence on the team lead for analytical coordination. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape and expand SEI’s growing portfolio on digital transformation, data governance, artificial intelligence and decision-support systems for environmental sustainability and societal resilience.

About the team

The Water, Coasts and Ocean Team works across three thematic pillars: Resilient Infrastructures, One Water and Blue Economy. Across these pillars, the team addresses increasingly complex challenges involving data integration, cross-sectoral cooperation and digital decision-support – from freshwater systems and coastal resilience to offshore infrastructure and critical national services.

Several funded projects now require integrated capacity in data (systems, modelling and governance). Recruiting a researcher with strong expertise in data systems is a strategic priority for delivery, proposal development and analytical leadership.

Key projects

The researcher will play a central role in the following projects, among others.

SAFEWIN explores how federated learning and related privacy-preserving data approaches can address some of the most pressing challenges in cross-sectoral data cooperation. The project focuses on the offshore wind and defence sectors, where technologies such as DAC/DAS sensors and other monitoring systems generate data with high value for marine monitoring, electricity production and military operations – but also significant security sensitivities. SAFEWIN investigates how federated data architectures can enable cross-sectoral use of such data while managing confidentiality and sovereignty concerns. The researcher will contribute to technical development, governance analysis and stakeholder engagement.

KRAFT examines data management challenges related to critical infrastructure resilience, with a particular focus on cascading effects across interdependent services – including energy, water and communications – arising from both international and national disruptions. The project combines technical analysis of data integration and interoperability with governance dimensions around how data about critical systems is stored, managed and shared across sectoral and institutional boundaries. The researcher will contribute to both modelling and governance components.

The researcher will also contribute to other team projects with dimensions related to data application, tool development and the translation of user needs into functional digital products across the water, coastal and marine domains.

Key responsibilities

The researcher will:

• Lead and contribute to data systems work: integration, interoperability, security and application in decision-support tools across sectors
• Apply and promote FAIR data principles (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, Reusability) and related standards in project data management
• Develop and implement digital and data-driven approaches for infrastructure risk assessment, resilience planning and coastal and marine management
• Contribute to SAFEWIN’s development of federated learning approaches for cross-sectoral data cooperation in sensitive infrastructure contexts
• Contribute to KRAFT’s analysis of data management challenges and cascading risks across critical infrastructure systems
• Engage with Swedish and international stakeholders, including public agencies, research partners and practitioners
• Translate complex data and modelling outputs into policy-relevant insights, project reports, publications and stakeholder-facing materials
• Contribute to proposal development and fundraising for new projects
• Support project coordination and supervision of junior researchers where relevant

What we are looking for

We do not expect candidates to have expertise across all areas listed. We are particularly interested in candidates with strong foundations in either data systems and digital methods or the governance and application of digital tools, combined with a demonstrated ability to work across disciplinary and sectoral boundaries. Experience in or genuine interest in water, coastal, marine or critical infrastructure contexts is valued but not required.

Essential

• PhD in data science, environmental informatics, computer science, infrastructure systems or a related field; candidates without a PhD must demonstrate equivalent independent research experience, including a track record of securing funding
• Strong experience with data integration, modelling, spatial analysis or the development of digital decision-support tools
• Experience eliciting user requirements and translating them into analytical methods, digital tools or decision-support products
• Experience working with data from complex, multi-sectoral or infrastructure-related contexts
• Working proficiency in at least one programming or scripting language (e.g. Python, R) for data analysis or tool development
• Ability to lead analytical work packages within interdisciplinary research projects
• Familiarity with data governance, metadata standards, interoperability frameworks and data architectures supporting the sharing and use of data across organizations or sectors
• Experience contributing to or leading research funding proposals, with a track record of securing funds at a scale commensurate with career stage
• Strong publication record or equivalent output in applied research settings
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English

Desirable

• Experience with federated learning, privacy-preserving computation or cross-sectoral data governance
• Familiarity with GIS and geospatial data tools
• Background in or demonstrable familiarity with critical infrastructure systems, offshore energy, marine monitoring or defence-adjacent data environments
• Working proficiency in Swedish

Who you are

This is a cross-cutting role open to candidates at mid- or senior-researcher level. Both levels are genuinely considered; the appointment will reflect the experience and profile of the successful candidate. The ideal candidate at either level combines technical depth in data systems with the ability to engage meaningfully with governance, policy and stakeholder dimensions – and to translate between these registers.

The role sits at the technical–policy interface that characterizes SEI’s comparative advantage. We are not looking for a pure engineer or a pure policy analyst, but someone who understands data systems well enough to make credible technical contributions and is intellectually curious about the institutional, political and governance dimensions of how data is managed and shared in complex settings.

Mid-level researcher – A mid-level researcher will have demonstrated the ability to work independently on analytical and data-intensive tasks within research projects. They will have some experience contributing to funding proposals and may have secured smaller grants or project components, though not necessarily in a leading role. They may have worked within teams or independently without formal management responsibilities, and will have an emerging publication record or equivalent demonstrated output in applied research settings.

Senior researcher – A senior researcher will have a demonstrated track record of independently mobilizing research or innovation funding, including having led funding applications, not only participated in teams led by others. They will have successfully secured funds both for their own work and to support others, and will have held leadership positions with responsibility for more junior staff. They will have built a recognized area of work, evidenced through a sustained publication record, a portfolio of funded projects or equivalent standing in applied or policy research communities.

A PhD is strongly preferred for the senior research role, as it enables the researcher to apply for independent funding – an important element of SEI’s research model. Candidates with equivalent demonstrated research independence will also be considered.

Questions?

• Inquiries about the position can be directed to Karina Barquet, Team Leader: Water, Coasts and Ocean; Senior Research Fellow: [email protected].
• Inquiries about the recruitment process can be directed to Filippa Klintberg, HR Specialist: [email protected].

About SEI

Stockholm Environment Institute is an international non-profit research institute that tackles environment and sustainable development challenges. We empower partners to meet these challenges through cutting-edge research, knowledge, tools and capacity building. Scientific quality and integrity are foundations of our work. Partnership is at the heart of our approach, leading to change that lasts.

Our work connects science to policy and practice, aiming to drive tangible impacts. It spans climate change, natural resources, water, air and health, and addresses questions of governance, innovation, finance, poverty, gender equality and social equity.

We are committed to transparency and full disclosure of our funding. The Government of Sweden is our largest funder, and we also receive funds from a range of public research funders, philanthropic foundations, bilateral and multilateral development agencies, governments, NGOs and other partners. Through SEI’s HQ and seven centres around the world, we engage with policy, practice and development action for a sustainable, prosperous future for all.