Senior Researcher Real Estate Climate Risk - EDHEC Climate Institute

Senior Researcher Real Estate Climate Risk – One vacancy in Nice (France) or London (UK)

Role

Join an innovative climate research institute dedicated to advancing the understanding and application of climate risk assessments, developing innovative methodologies.

In this role, you will design and deliver integrated, next-generation frameworks to assess climate risk in real estate, evaluating acute and chronic physical hazards, energy-efficiency performance and retrofit potential, and exposure to policy and market drivers (building codes, EPCs/labels, carbon pricing). You will also assess potential mitigants such as resilience and decarbonisation measures to translate asset-specific vulnerabilities into clear financial outcomes (CapEx/OpEx, NOI, valuation, PD/LGD, and stranded-asset risk). The methodologies and tools you build will be used by corporates and investors to quantify, price, and manage climate-related risks and opportunities at both asset and portfolio level.

You will work in a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment, leveraging scientific research to deliver methodologies and outcomes that drive decision-making across industries.

Responsibilities

• • Conduct advanced research on climate risk quantification for real estate assets considering the main aspects from physical to transition risk, with a large focus on policy and market risk drivers,
  • Translate technical outputs into financial metrics for lenders, insurers, and asset owners.
  • Design asset-specific methodologies that quantify how physical risk, energy efficiency, and retrofit options translate into asset specific risks; adapt and improve existing numerical models (e.g., CRREM, building archetype/stock models, LCA models) to local contexts and data.
  • Assist integration of developed model into reproducible pipelines (versioning, documentation, and model validation/back-testing).
  • Integrate EPC label datasets; evaluate data coverage/quality and propose pragmatic substitutions or calibration strategies where needed. Explore the use of additional data such as LCA/EPD.
  • Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to create innovative tools and models for climate risk assessments that address real-world challenges.
  • Engage directly with financial institutions and real-estate operators to align methods with regulatory requirements and real-world workflows.
  • Publish high-impact research in scientific journals and contribute to conferences, workshops, and industry forums.
  • Stay informed on emerging climate policies, technological advancements, and market trends, in relation to regulations, potential applications, and quantitative methods, to incorporate them into assessments and recommendations.

Requirements

• • Advanced degree (PhD or Master’s + experience) in building/energy systems, environmental engineering, economics, data science, or a related field, with relevant components related to real estate and climate risks.
  • 5+ years applying quantitative methods to the built environment/real estate (research, consultancy, finance, or industry).
  • Proven expertise in transition-risk modelling for real estate, including Scope 1–3 GHG accounting and scenario analysis (e.g., NGFS/IEA/custom).
  • Strong grasp of building physics & systems (HVAC, envelope, DHW, controls) and energy performance metrics (EUI, load profiles, EPC/labels).
  • Hands-on with retrofit analysis: technical/economic feasibility, abatement cost curves, and sequencing of measures.
  • Strong command of Python or similar languages to develop quantitative models and analyse complex datasets.
  • Ability to translate technical outputs into financial impacts.
  • Clear, concise communication for both technical and non-technical audiences; strong writing for methods notes and client materials.
  • Demonstrated interdisciplinary collaboration (climate, engineering, economics, data engineering).

About EDHEC Climate Institute

Institutional context

Operating from campuses in Lille, Nice, Paris, London and Singapore, EDHEC Business School is ranked in the top ten European business schools. With more than 110 nationalities represented in its student body, some 50,000 alumni in 130 countries, and learning partnerships with 290 institutions worldwide, it is truly international.

EDHEC Business School has been recognised for over 20 years for its expertise in finance. Its approach to climate finance is founded on a commitment to equipping finance professionals and decision-makers with the insights, tools, and solutions necessary to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change. EDHEC has developed a significant research capacity on the financial measurement of climate risk, which relies on the best researchers in climate finance, and brings together experts in climate risks as well as in quantitative analysis.

The DNA of EDHEC's work has also resided, since its origin, in the ability to generate business ventures, by encouraging spin-offs based on the research work of its teams. EDHEC is currently involved in 3 ventures: Scientific Portfolio, SIPA Metrics, and Scientific Climate Ratings.

Mission and ambitions

The EDHEC Climate Institute (ECI) focuses on helping private and public decision-makers manage climate-related financial risks and make the most of financial tools to support the transition to a low-emission economy that is more resilient to climate change.

It has a long track record as an independent and critical reference centre in helping long-term investors to understand and manage the financial implications of climate change on asset prices and the management of investments and climate action policies.

The institute has also developed an expertise in physical risks, developing proprietary research frameworks and innovative approaches. ECI is also conducting advanced research on climate transition risks, with a focus on supply chain emissions (Scope 3), consumer choices, and emerging technologies.

As part of its mission, ECI collaborates with academic partners, businesses, and financial players to establish targeted research partnerships. This includes making research outputs, publications, and data available in open source to maximise impact and accessibility.

Attractive salary and bonus, healthcare and pension plan coverage.

The salary will be determined according to EDHEC's pay scale, the candidate's qualifications and experience.

To apply, please attach your CV and a cover letter (pdf format) .