Sustainability Researcher (Fixed-Term Position)

About Özyeğin University As Özyeğin University, in line with our vision of becoming an “Entrepreneurial Research University with High Global Impact,” we consider the production of solution-oriented, high-impact knowledge and its transformation into social benefit among our core values. We believe that providing scientific solutions to social challenges is as essential as academic success, and we shape our research activities with the aim of building a more just, inclusive, and sustainable society. About the Role Özyeğin University's Sustainability Platform (ÖzÜ-SP) is the university's umbrella structure for coordinating, monitoring, and measuring the social impact of its sustainability and community-engagement work. Conceived as a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, and multi-stakeholder model, it connects research, teaching, campus operations, and applied community projects, while building collaborative networks across academia, public institutions, civil society, and the private sector in service of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Platform's portfolio spans local and rural development, sustainable agriculture and food systems, the cooperative and social solidarity economy, social empowerment and inclusion, disaster preparedness, and the climate and just-transition agenda. Within this framework, the Platform is seeking a Sustainability Researcher to contribute across its portfolio. Working in a collaborative, interdisciplinary team, the researcher will help advance the Platform's research agenda and translate evidence into practical interventions, policy contributions, and scholarly outputs. A central expectation of the role is the development of competitive research proposals and the mobilization of external funding from both national and international sources. This is a fixed-term position with a one-year contract. We particularly encourage applications from researchers whose work advances social inclusion and gender equality, especially in rural and agri-food contexts. More about the Sustainability Platform: sp.ozyegin.edu.tr/en/community-engagement Key Responsibilities Lead competitive grant applications and secure research funding: design and write proposals for national and international calls — including TÜBİTAK programs, Horizon Europe, EU funding instruments, and bilateral/multilateral donor schemes — and contribute actively to building the Platform's funded-project pipeline. Design and conduct rigorous, mixed-methods research, including gender-responsive and gender-disaggregated approaches, with sustained attention to research ethics and data quality. Develop project results architecture — Theory of Change, logframes, indicators, baselines and targets, and risk/assumption logic — together with the corresponding monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems across multiple projects. Produce scholarly and practice-oriented outputs: peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, policy and practice briefs, and dissemination and outreach materials. Engage and coordinate diverse stakeholders — cooperatives, municipalities, civil society organizations, producers, and public institutions — translating complex evidence into actionable recommendations. Facilitate learning loops: reflection workshops, after-action reviews, and the synthesis of lessons learned into briefs, toolkits, and academic outputs. Support the Platform's periodic reporting cycles and the organization of training programs and events as needed. Required Qualifications PhD from a respected national or international institution, in a discipline relevant to the Program — for example economics, development studies, sociology, gender studies, agricultural economics, rural sociology, social policy, urban/regional planning, or a related field. A minimum of 3–5 years of relevant research experience. A track record of high-quality academic writing and demonstrated methodological competence (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods). Professional proficiency in English. Strong communication, analytical thinking, teamwork, and organizational skills. Preferred Qualifications Academic and project experience in gender equality, evidenced by publications and/or applied field research — ideally in combination with rural development, agri-food systems, or the social and solidarity economy. Demonstrated success or strong potential in securing competitive research funding from national and/or international sources. Experience working on funded projects in multi-stakeholder, applied, and field-facing settings. Ability to manage projects independently across several parallel workstreams. Turkish proficiency, which is an asset for field-facing work in Türkiye. Özyeğin University is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and especially encourage applications from women and members of underrepresented groups. We look forward to receiving your application.