Position Overview

The Research Associate will support research, spatial analysis, stakeholder engagement, solution mapping, and knowledge development for urban water resilience initiatives. The role will also contribute to the development of the ‘Solution Explorer Platform’, which aims to curate, visualise, and operationalise scalable urban water and nature-based solutions (NbS) interventions across cities.

This is an exciting opportunity for individuals interested in urban water systems, climate resilience, spatial planning, nature-based solutions (NbS), and systems thinking to work on implementation-linked research with high potential for scale and impact.

Job Location: Bengaluru (Hybrid)

Type of Engagement: Full-time

Responsibilities

1. Research, Analysis & Knowledge Development
• Support research on urban water security, climate resilience, sanitation, groundwater, flooding, and integrated urban water systems in Indian cities.
• Contribute to water balance assessments, IUWM planning, and urban resilience frameworks.
• Conduct literature reviews, policy analysis, and secondary research related to urban water
  governance and Nature-based Solutions (NbS).
• Develop reports, presentations, briefs, blogs, and knowledge outputs based on programme
  findings.
2. Support the development of a digital platform that supports NbS implementation
• Curatie and organise datasets related to urban water systems, NbS interventions, and spatial layers.
• Support preparation and documentation of landscape studies and thematic decks showcasing ongoing projects, interventions, and urban water opportunities.
• Assist in basic assessments for solution mapping and intervention prioritisation.
• Support documentation, including synthesis documents that integrate technical, spatial, and institutional insights for platform development.
3. Spatial & Hydrological Analysis Support
• Support preparation and interpretation of spatial layers, including blue-green infrastructure, built-up areas, heat stress, recharge zones, and watershed systems.
• Assist in hydrological and watershed-based assessments, including DEM analysis, flow accumulation, runoff pathways, groundwater and recharge assessments, watershed delineation
• Support the identification of potential intervention zones for Nature-based Solutions and urban water resilience projects.
• Coordinate with technical and platform teams to integrate data, modelling outputs, and spatial insights.

Qualifications and Experience

1. Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Geography, or related disciplines. A master’s degree in related fields is preferred.
2. 1–3 years of relevant professional experience in urban water, climate resilience, GIS/spatial analysis, urban planning, sustainability, or related domains.

Skills and Competencies

1. Understanding of urban water systems, IUWM concepts, climate resilience, groundwater, sanitation, or nature-based solutions.
2. Familiarity with GIS and spatial analysis tools (QGIS/ArcGIS) is desirable.
3. Exposure to hydrological analysis, urban analytics, or water balance studies is an advantage.
4. Strong research, analytical, and documentation skills.
5. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
6. Proficiency in Microsoft Office/Google Workspace tools.
7. Ability to work in multidisciplinary and dynamic environments.
8. Willingness to travel for fieldwork, workshops, and stakeholder engagements when required.

What We Offer

The salary will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience.

We review applications on a rolling basis. The position will remain open till a suitable candidate is found.

Our recruitment and employment policies are inclusive. We respect both the spirit and letter of the laws of equal employment opportunity.