Wahana Riset Indonesia (Wahana) is a young scientist incubator initiative that aims to nurture a battalion of young researchers for conducting research on environmental issues and generate high-quality knowledge products, which will support science-based policy-making in sustainable development.

This initiative is the third batch of its kind, where WRI Indonesia once again invites young people who has a specific interest in research to join. In the past, WRI Indonesia was successfully managed 2 batches of Wahana Riset Indonesia over the course of 3 years from 2017 – 2019 resulting in 11 scientific publications, 4 international conference presentations, 6 policy notes, and 2 books.

For this year, Wahana Riset Indonesia has chosen the research theme of “Reimagining Resilient Coastal Cities in Indonesia.” 

About the Research

As the world’s largest archipelagic nation, Indonesia is highly vulnerable to natural disasters, with over 58% of its population living in coastal cities—many of which are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Facing rapid urbanization and intensifying impacts of climate change, Indonesian cities are becoming increasingly vulnerable to environmental problems such as air pollution, food and plastic waste, and climate-induced risks like coastal flooding, sea level rise and warmer temperatures. By 2050, an estimated 23 million people in Indonesia’s coastal cities could be at risk due to rising sea levels. These climate threats are further exacerbated by rapid urban development, pollution, and overexploitation of coastal resources, weakening the resilience of both communities and ecosystems. Without urgent action, the socio-economic consequences could be devastating, especially for vulnerable communities who depend on coastal resources for their survival and livelihoods. Addressing these complex issues requires innovative, data-driven solutions and policies informed by applied research.

WRI Indonesia has been working extensively on trying to address these issues by working with governments, businesses, multilateral institutions and civil society groups to develop practical solutions to improve people’s lives, mitigate and adapt to climate change, and ensure nature can thrive in Indonesia.  By focusing on the climate resilience issues, this research incubator aims to support WRI’s global impact targets and vision: “All urban residents enjoy a higher quality of life and livable and climate resilient neighborhoods with equitable and low carbon access to jobs and core services.”

Through this program, we ask the overarching question: "How can Indonesia's coastal cities enhance climate resilience in the face of rapid urbanization and environmental change?”. To explore this high-level question, the Research Analyst will work with one of WRI Indonesia’s two research clusters to conduct research on specific sub-themes where we aim to develop and refine our research questions and approaches in the effort to answer the overarching question.

Some of the research areas include (but are not limited to):

  1. Urban Coastal Climate Vulnerability and Resilience
  2. Coastal Livelihoods and Food Security/Sustainable Aquaculture
  3. Marine Plastic Waste/Waste Management
  4. Air Pollution in Coastal Areas (e.g. ports)
  5. Climate Action (Adaptation and Mitigation) Planning and Implementation
  6. Urban Transport/Mobility

We are looking for 5 Research Analysts and 5 Research Assistants with the following qualifications:

General requirement

  1. Legally able to work in Indonesia
  2. Based in Jakarta, willing to relocate to Jakarta if selected
  3. Committed to 18 (eighteen) working days per month
  4. Excellent academic performance, ideally with a minimum GPA 3.2 (or equivalent)
  5. Committed to stay until the end of the research project (up to 31 Dec 2025)
  6. Proficiency in both oral and written English and Bahasa Indonesia
  7. Basic understanding of research methodology

Research Analyst

  1. Early career researchers who have a min. 2 years of working experience and 3 years of research experience (research could include during undergraduate or postgraduate level while working in the job)
  2. Young individuals with min. undergraduate degree relevant to the 6 research areas listed above, master’s degree preferred

Research Assistant

  1. Early career researchers who have a min. 1 year of working experience and 2 years of research experience (research could include during undergraduate or postgraduate level while working in the job)
  2. Young individuals with min. undergraduate degree relevant to the 6 research areas listed above

Note: WRI Indonesia does not cover relocation expenses for the selected candidate who resides outside of Jakarta.

What You Will Deliver during the Program

  1. Co-author a good-quality and ready-to-submit draft of a WRI knowledge product and/or journal article
  2. Report of data analysis
  3. Co-author op-eds on domestic and/or international news outlets (if assigned)

What You Will Gain from the Program

  1. Training and mentoring to develop your research capacity
  2. Opportunities to conduct impactful research under the guidance of expert mentors
  3. Hands-on experience with data analysis and report writing to further enhance your research skill
  4. Competitive rate commensurate with your experience and skill
  5. Selected BPJS coverage for consultant according to WRI Indonesia policy
  6. Networking opportunity with researchers and stakeholders on sustainable development in Indonesia and globally
  7. Be a part of a workplace that places diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work

Timeline

  • Application submission: 19 February—14 March
  • Screening process: 3—14 March
  • Interview schedule: 11—20 March
  • Decision and announcement: 21—24 March
  • Contracting: 24—30 March
  • Research program: 7 April—31 December

How to Apply

Your application must include the following mandatory documents:

  1. Cover letter in English indicating your motivation, topic preferences, and why you are an excellent fit
  2. CV in English
  3. 1 letter of recommendation from university lecturers, former employees, or academic supervisors
  4. A short writing piece or essay related to particular research topics you are interested in (max. 2 pages)
  5. Degree certificates

Other documents to be presented if shortlisted (if any):

  • Other relevant certificates

  • Links to the sample of publication/ journal articles/ newspaper

  • English proficiency test result e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, etc

To be formally considered, please submit all application documents through the following links: