Position: Senior Researcher
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Organisation: Southeast Asia Futures Initiative Centre (SEAFIC)
Role Overview
SEAFIC is seeking an experienced economic researcher (8–10 years’ experience) to conduct and manage research projects across three research pillars, contributing to regional thought leadership. This role is suitable for an established researcher with a strong economic policy background, regional perspective and proven track record in research output and research project leadership experience.
Key Responsibilities
Research Strategy & Thought Leadership: Design and develop original research questions, thematic priorities, and a forward-looking research pipeline aligned with SEAFIC's strategic research agenda across economic development, trade and investment, and international cooperation in ASEAN. Identify emerging regional issues and conceptualise high-impact, policy-relevant research initiatives.
Research Management & Publications: Manage complex research projects from inception to publication, producing high-quality outputs including flagship reports, policy briefs, white papers, commentaries, and other research publications that inform policy and regional discourse.
Research Excellence & Innovation: Apply research methodologies, including quantitative analysis, foresight techniques, economic modelling, and data analytics, to ensure research outputs meet international standards of quality and credibility.
Policy Engagement & External Representation: Represent SEAFIC in policy dialogues, roundtables, conferences, and engagements with government agencies, international organisations, think tanks, academia, and the private sector. Translate research findings into practical policy recommendations for diverse stakeholders.
Research Mentorship & Collaboration: Mentor and supervise researchers and interns, fostering a culture of research excellence, integrity, collaboration, and continuous learning while ensuring the quality of institutional research outputs.
Strategic Partnerships & Resource Mobilisation: Develop collaborative research partnerships and contribute to securing external funding through research proposals, grants, and commissioned projects.
Key Requirements
Minimum 8-10 years experience in economic research, preferably within a think tank, government agency, regional or international organisation, academic institution, or policy research environment.
PhD in economics, econometrics, applied economics and any other related discipline.
Demonstrated experience in designing original research questions, developing strategic research agendas, and managing a pipeline of policy-relevant research projects.
Proven track record of producing high-quality research publications, including flagship reports, policy papers, white papers, or peer-reviewed publications.
Strong quantitative research skills, including experience in collecting, extracting, analysing, and interpreting primary and secondary data.
Experience with foresight analysis, economic modelling, big data analytics, or other advanced research methodologies.
Experience engaging with policymakers, senior government officials, international organisations, business leaders, or regional institutions.
Strong understanding of Malaysia and ASEAN's economic development, trade and investment, regional integration, and emerging geopolitical and technological trends.
Excellent analytical, writing, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to communicate complex research to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple research projects independently while mentoring junior researchers and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams.
How to apply?
Please submit your CV, a cover letter and any recent written works or assignments to futurist@seafic.org