About the job
Research Associate at Nuvoni Centre for Innovation Research
Project duration:24 months with possibility of extension, for 0.8-1.0 FTE
Start Date:6th January 2025
Application deadline:15 November 2024
The Organisation
Nuvoni Centre for Innovation Research (hereafter, Nuvoni) is an independent research organisation based in Nairobi, Kenya. Our mission is to undertake impactful research on science, technology and innovation and its role in fostering inclusive and sustainable development in sub-Saharan Africa. Our current focus areas are energy, urban development, agri-food systems and technology and innovation management. Our work is inherently collaborative, as we work closely with local and international academic partners, policy makers, development partners, the private sector, civil society and local communities. We also apply multidisciplinary lenses to interrogate and understand pressing development and sustainability challenges such as poverty and inequality, urbanization, climate change and food security. Our insights inform interventions across various sectors and at different levels of governance and society.
The Technology and Innovation Management domain
Our research in the Technology and Innovation Management domain analyses innovation for sustainable development, i.e. products, processes and business models, across all types of organizations, ranging from startups to multinational corporations. We also explore the development of innovation ecosystems—the interconnected networks of actors, institutions, and processes that collectively drive technological advancement—at the sectoral and national levels, along with factors that shape the broader enabling environment. Key areas of our research include technology strategy, entrepreneurship in start-ups and new ventures, business model innovation, funding models for innovation, etc. Current themes of interest include frugality, inclusivity, and circularity in innovation processes.
The anchor project
The anchor project for this role is titled “Making Carbon Removal Work for Sustainable Development in Sub-Saharan Africa”, and it aims to address two of the most pressing global challenges: climate change and sustainable development. As Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) continues to grapple with developmental challenges such as energy poverty, unemployment, and economic vulnerability, the project seeks to explore the potential of Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) technologies as a solution that can simultaneously reduce carbon emissions and promote
socio-economic development.
The project is structured around three interconnected work packages:
1. Technology Scoping: This work package focuses on identifying and evaluating various CDR technologies, with the goal of determining which options offer the highest
sustainable development potential for SSA. This includes nature-based solutions (e.g.,
afforestation and biochar), hybrid technologies, and engineered solutions (e.g., direct air capture and storage).
2. Country Readiness Assessment: The second work package assesses the preparedness of three archetypical SSA countries to implement and scale selected CDR technologies. This involves evaluating the political, economic, and environmental conditions necessary to support CDR deployment, as well as engaging stakeholders to understand barriers and opportunities.
3. CDR Startup Accelerator: The third work package aims to accelerate the development of the CDR ecosystem in SSA by running a structured startup accelerator program. The accelerator will support local entrepreneurs and innovators by providing mentorship, resources, and access to markets, with the goal of building a pipeline of businesses that can contribute to CDR deployment and local economic growth.
The project is designed to be transdisciplinary, combining technical expertise in CDR with a deep understanding of socio-economic development. It seeks to foster collaboration between researchers, policymakers, the private sector, and civil society to ensure that CDR solutions are not only technologically feasible but also socially inclusive and aligned with local development goals.
Role of the Research Fellow
The Research Fellow will play a key role in advancing the research, outreach, dissemination, and impact activities of the project. The successful candidate will collaborate with an interdisciplinary team from Nuvoni, Strathmore University Business School (Kenya) and the Group for Sustainability and Technology (SusTec) at ETH Zurich (Switzerland), along with other impact partners locally and internationally to ensure the project’s objectives are met.
The research fellow will be responsible for:
- Conducting in-depth research on CDR technologies, with a focus on their socioeconomic, environmental, and gender equality impacts in SSA. The researcher will assess the localization and scalability potential of the technologies and contribute to scientific publications.
- Supporting research efforts to assess the readiness of target SSA countries to adopt and scale CDR technologies, including reviewing policy frameworks, conducting stakeholder interviews, and evaluating related innovation ecosystems.
- Assisting in the design and execution of the CDR startup accelerator by providing local administrative support, providing insights from previous research outputs and stakeholder engagement in the project, contributing to the mentorship of startups, and supporting the tracking of the accelerator’s outcomes.
- Engaging with local stakeholders, including governments, businesses, investors, and civil society organizations, to ensure research findings align with local development priorities. The researcher will help organise stakeholder workshops, roundtables, public consultations, and community engagement activities.
- Contributing to the dissemination of project results through academic publications, policy briefs, and presentations at conferences and workshops. The researcher will also support the development of accessible materials (e.g., infographics, white papers) to communicate key findings to non-academic stakeholders.
The fellow will also lead the development of the Technology and Innovation Management domain
in Nuvoni in the following ways:
- Together with the Centre Director, proactively identify and leverage opportunities for research and programme development internally, externally and internationally, both within existing funding streams, and where possible, through multi-disciplinary collaboration. This involves preparation of proposals for funding or other applications to external finding agencies.
- Forge and maintain external relations essential to the development of the Technology Management domain. Promote engagement with policy makers, non-governmental organizations and practitioners, nationally and internationally, on ongoing research and related outputs.
- Supervise and provide day-to-day advice, support, mentorship, and assistance to junior researchers associated with the domain.
- Curate relevant information from the project activities for the organization’s website and social media channels.
Who are we looking for?
The candidate should possess:
- A PhD in a relevant field (e.g., environmental science, sustainability, economics, engineering, or related disciplines). Registered PhD candidates, or candidates with a Master’s degree but with proven relevant research experience in climate technologies, sustainable development, or innovation ecosystems will be considered.
- Experience in conducting interdisciplinary research and collaborating with stakeholders from diverse sectors, locally and internationally.
- Excellent communication and outreach skills, with the ability to convene stakeholders and disseminate research findings to academic and non-academic audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to deliver to tight deadlines and to work on a wide range of demands.
Conditions of employment
- The successful candidate will be offered an initial fixed term contract of 2 years with a possibility of extension for another one year, on a 0.8 to 1 FTE basis. Please note that this is NOT a consultancy position.
- The remuneration package is inclusive of pension and medical cover.
- The position provides an equal opportunity for all.
Additional information and application procedure
For inquiries, you may contact Dr Elsie Onsongo at eonsongo@nuvoniresearch.org until the application deadline.
To apply, please send the following documentation, all in one PDF file, via email to recruitment@nuvoniresearch.org, with the subject line ‘Technology and Innovation Management Research Fellow’
- Updated CV of not more than 5 (five) pages including relevant work experience, a list of publications, and 3 (three) relevant referees.
- A cover letter (max. 2 pages) explaining why you are particularly suitable for this position/how you meet the criteria for the position.
- Certified copies of degree certificates and transcripts.
The application deadline for this position is 15th November 2024.
Website: https://nuvoniresearch.org/jobs/research-fellow-technology-and-innovation-management/