Role overview
Lead PICS’s Climate Apartheid Observatory, an initial research programme examining AI surveillance, digital infrastructure and fossil-fuel complicity in Palestine. The role combines research and lead authorship with contributor coordination, editorial judgement and practical standards for how PICS produces and publishes evidence. Work with Political Strategy, Operations and communications and movement colleagues so that findings inform advocacy, political education and campaigns.
Job details
Remuneration
Paid part-time appointment. Please contact info@palclimateinstitute.org for remuneration details before preparing your application.
Hours
14 hours per week, including meetings and administration, with an agreed work schedule and contact times.
Duration
Initial six-month term. Any extension depends on funding, organisational need and agreement.
Start
Late November or December 2026, by agreement.
Location
Remote, with agreed overlap with Palestinian and UK working hours. Travel only where agreed, funded and safe.
Closing date
Sunday 15 November 2026 at 23:59 UK time (GMT).
Priorities for the first six months
- An agreed Observatory workplan defines the questions, methods, contributions and publication milestones, reflecting the remaining project period and available resources.
- Research reaches the agreed milestones with documented sources, review and clear statements of evidence and limitations.
- PICS has usable research and editorial procedures, well-kept source records and a realistic assessment of the capacity needed for its next research priorities.
Responsibilities
- Lead the agreed Observatory research programme from scoping through drafting, review and publication. Define its questions, methods, sources and case studies within the available time and budget.
- Undertake relevant research using appropriate methods, such as open-source investigation, corporate and supply-chain research, documentary analysis, interviews or data analysis.
- Lead authorship of agreed outputs and coordinate commissioned contributions. Set clear briefs, deliverables and review arrangements within approved budgets.
- Maintain research standards for evidence, ethics, consent, citations, data handling and publication risk. Record uncertainty and distinguish findings from interpretation.
- Coordinate Arabic-source research and bilingual review. Work with colleagues on translation, appropriate attribution and safe handling of sensitive information.
- Organise fact-checking, peer review and editorial revisions. Work with communications and movement colleagues on accessible findings and briefings without overstating the evidence.
- Support contributing researchers and relevant research partnerships. Keep source records and methods accessible to authorised colleagues, and arrange specialist review where needed and resourced.
- Report progress and budget implications, and flag changes to scope or timing early. Contribute to future research priorities and funding proposals where capacity allows; additional projects require an agreed allocation of time.
Working relationships and scope
Working relationships
Report to the Head of Political Strategy for delivery, objectives and workload, and work closely with the Political Strategy lead on research direction. Coordinate commissioned researchers and work with communications, movement colleagues, editors and research partners. An interim supervisor will be named if Operations has not yet started.
Scope
A project-focused role leading research delivery and contributor review. Prioritise the Observatory and essential research procedures within 14 hours a week. Commissioning and publication decisions follow the agreed approval process. Additional projects require an agreed allocation of time. Technical development, event delivery and organisation-wide fundraising require separate capacity.
Appointment terms
Final remuneration, working arrangements, responsibilities and terms will be confirmed in writing before appointment.
Experience and skills
- A strong record of substantial independent research, with at least one report, investigation, thesis, article or equivalent work for which you were the principal or lead author.
- Evidence of taking research from the initial question and methodology through evidence collection, drafting, review and publication.
- Strong capability in methods relevant to the project, such as open-source investigation, corporate research, interviews, policy analysis, data analysis or geospatial research, and evidence of choosing methods suited to the question.
- Professional research and writing ability in English and strong working Arabic sufficient for Arabic-source research and bilingual review.
- A strong understanding of Palestine, political economy, anti-colonial analysis and climate justice, with the ability to distinguish evidenced findings from unsupported claims.
- Experience coordinating or reviewing other researchers’ work, with sound judgement about consent, sensitive sources, confidentiality and publication risks.
Experience with energy or digital infrastructure, corporate accountability, militarism, research commissioning or funding proposals would be useful. Relevant postgraduate study is welcome but not required. Applicants are not expected to be specialists in every method or topic listed.
We welcome applications from Palestinians in Palestine and across the diaspora, and from others with relevant knowledge and experience. We assess applicants against the role criteria. Experience gained through organising, independent research or community work is valued alongside employment and academic experience.
How to apply
Send your application to info@palclimateinstitute.org by the closing date, using the subject line below.
Deadline
Sunday 15 November 2026 at 23:59 UK time (GMT).
Subject line
PICS RES application
- A CV of no more than three pages.
- A statement of up to 600 words explaining how your research experience fits the role and how you would approach the initial six months within the stated hours.
- One or two existing writing samples or links. At least one should be substantial work principally researched and written by you. Explain your contribution to co-authored work; redacted samples or descriptions are welcome.
- Your country of work, time zone, availability for the stated hours and earliest start date.
If you need an adjustment to apply or take part in selection, contact the same address. Please explain the adjustment needed; there is no need to include a medical history with your application.
Email your application
→
Selection process
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a structured interview. If a separate assessment is needed, its scope, time limit and payment will be agreed in advance. We will not use application or assessment work operationally without a separate agreement. References will be contacted only for finalists and with permission.
Share only work you are entitled to disclose; public links and redacted extracts are welcome. Do not send identity documents, bank details or third-party personal information.
.svg)
