Policy Researcher - Shared Ground

Position Title: Policy Researcher for Shared Ground Location: remote Start date : as soon as possible, we review applications on a rolling basis About Shared Ground We are a Dutch think tank with an international outlook. In recent years, environmental and climate issues have become entangled in culture wars, overshadowing sound policy and limiting space for thoughtful debate. At Shared Ground, we recognise political polarisation as part of today’s reality. We don’t shy away from the left–right divide — in fact, we see it as a terrain for meaningful change. Care for the planet should not belong to any one political tradition, nor be reduced to a wedge issue in partisan struggles. That’s why Shared Ground exists: we provide a platform for constructive debate and, ultimately, reconciliation around how we protect our home. We focus on research, policy proposals, and building a space for people to come together. Shared Ground is part of a network of organisations called Our Common Home , with the mission of building the common good for the environment. The Role We are seeking an experienced Policy Research Lead to strengthen Shared Ground’s work on environmental and climate issues. You’ll join our small, dynamic team and play a central role in shaping our analysis, policy proposals, and the platform we provide for constructive debate. The role will require close collaboration with the international network and the research team of Our Common Home . Research is central to how we work. It provides data-driven insights into political attitudes, public opinion, and policy trends that inform initiatives, enhance credibility with stakeholders, fuel innovation, and ensure outputs are evidence-based, practical, and impactful. We segment audiences based on political and policy-related worldviews to ensure insights are nuanced, actionable, and inform approaches that resonate across the political spectrum. In this role, you will lead research that underpins Shared Ground’s policy proposals and political engagement strategies , mentor colleagues, guide research design, and translate complex findings into actionable insights for both technical and non-technical audiences. This is both a hands-on and strategic role: you will conduct rigorous mixed-method research, manage projects, oversee external polling and research vendors, and provide technical guidance to colleagues. Your work will directly strengthen Shared Ground’s mission to foster constructive dialogue, build consensus, and advance thoughtful, evidence-based solutions to environmental challenges. Key Responsibilities Lead and manage policy and political research projects from inception to dissemination, ensuring methodological rigor and practical relevance. Explore and experiment with innovative research methods to understand public opinion, political polarization, and policy attitudes , including commissioning or analysing surveys with external polling partners (e.g., Ipsos) Conduct desk research on political, policy, and polling data relevant to environmental and climate issues. Design survey instruments, questionnaires, interview and discussion guides, and sampling approaches suitable for political and policy research. Analyse quantitative and qualitative data to uncover political trends, policy-relevant insights, and actionable recommendations . Synthesise complex findings into clear insights and stories in reports and develop engaging visualisations for technical and non-technical audiences . Mentor colleagues and provide technical guidance on research design, methodology, and analytical approaches. Oversee research vendors and polling partners , providing clear briefs, quality control, and feedback. Ensure research outputs directly inform policy proposals, public debate, and organisational strategy . Develop and maintain data repositories, research archives, and inventories for ongoing policy and political analysis. What You Will Bring Minimum 6 years’ experience in political or policy research , including public opinion or polling studies. Strategic thinking with interest in politics, policy, and environmental issues . Experience with mixed research methodologies : quantitative and qualitative research methods, with emphasis on political survey design, polling, and policy analysis. Strong qualitative and quantitative analytical skills; familiarity with SPSS or R preferred. Data visualisation skills to communicate findings effectively. Proven ability to translate data into policy-relevant insights and actionable recommendations . Excellent communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences. Experience managing multiple projects and balancing priorities. Fluency in English; additional languages (e.g., Dutch or Spanish) a plus. Why Join Shared Ground? Focus on real-life impact in environmental and climate policy. Opportunity to shape the organisation and influence policy and public debate . Competitive salary within the non-profit sector. Flexible, remote-first work environment with work-life balance. Collaborative, values-driven culture. Training and development opportunities from leading experts. 12-month fixed-term role, with potential for renewal.