"Project Director - Cambridge Bond Index (Fixed Term)"

The University’s contribution to the Bloomberg Cambridge University Corporate Bond Index, set to launch later this year, is a distinctive research programme that has the potential to transform the field of sustainable finance and contribute to real-world decarbonisation. Combining academic rigour with practical application, the research introduces a bold approach to addressing climate change by harnessing the power of corporate bonds. Up to USD 750m has already been pledged to invest against the index upon launch in Q4 2025, and leading global asset owners such as the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UN JSPF), California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS), Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), and Swiss Federal Pension Fund (PUBLICA) provided input and technical market expertise that underpins the index. The project represents a large-scale, real-world intervention for fixed income capital markets and we seek an exceptional individual to lead it.

The Department of Land Economy is seeking to appoint a Project Director to lead the strategy and operations of the University’s contribution to the Bloomberg Cambridge University Corporate Bond Index. Working alongside the Principal Investigator (PI) Professor Ellen Quigley, who directs the research programme, the Project Director will ensure the project’s growth, impact, and long-term viability while cultivating key relationships and overseeing the University’s engagement and reputational involvement in the project.

The successful candidate will ideally have a background encompassing both fixed income and climate and/or can demonstrate substantial experience in related fields, including but not limited to investment management, corporate decarbonisation, or the energy sector. Experience of working with asset owners would be an advantage, but is not essential. The successful candidate will be expected to learn quickly and to synthesise complex information with care and precision. The role requires advanced analytical abilities, adaptability, and the capacity to collaborate and influence effectively across a diverse range of stakeholders, including academics, global asset owners (pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, endowments), service providers, regulators, and NGOs. The position sits at the intersection of academia, the corporate arena, and the investment world. The role-holder will therefore need to show experience and confidence in working across some combination of these domains, and to demonstrate their ability to engage with new areas.

This role involves stewarding the University’s involvement in a high-profile initiative, undertaken with University branding and global visibility. The successful candidate will bring both commitment to the goals of this project and genuine enthusiasm for its potential impact on fossil fuel expansionist activities.

Applications should be made online. After shortlisting, where you have given permission, your nominated referees will be asked to provide a reference via the on-line system.

Finance for Systemic Change is a research centre that undertakes and deploys academic research to mitigate systemic risks by working to influence the practices of asset owners (such as pension fund and endowment funds) and other systemic actors by seeding the elements of a future equitable financial system. The Centre contributes to an evolving body of academic evidence that entails a fundamental reimagining of the relationships among financial sector actors and the real economy, society, and the natural world. Information about our current and completed research can be found on our website.

Closing date for applications is midnight (GMT) on 30 November 2025.

Interviews will be held early December 2025.

Fixed term – Funding for this role is available for 24 months initially.