Senior Research Analyst- Fashion & Textiles

Hybrid - UK based 18-month fixed term contract. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is an international non-profit organisation committed to building a circular economy, creating a better future for business, society and the natural world. As part of our Fashion & Textiles mission, you will work collaboratively across the Foundation to drive progress towards this vision.

Fashion and Textiles is a priority area for the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, and this is an exciting opportunity to join our Fashion & Textiles mission as a Senior Research Analyst. One of the mission priority areas is exploring commercial opportunities for circular business models and overcoming the systemic barriers to scaling resale, repair, rental and remaking across the industry.

In this role you will provide the technical research, analysis and modelling that underpins the Fashion ReModel, our flagship circular business model demonstration project and other collaborative programmes across the mission. You will translate complex technical and market information into actionable insights, decision-ready outputs and credible visualisations, strengthening EMF's expertise and convening power at the frontier of circular economy practice in fashion. You will also support stakeholder engagements, collaborative projects and knowledge sharing activities to strengthen EMF’s impact and convening power.

Role and Responsibilities

• Build, iterate and maintain robust data collection, analysis and modelling structures - reviewing assumptions and sector data to generate reliable techno-economic insights and owning the quality of outputs produced.
• Provide research inputs for projects and collaborations - sector scanning, stakeholder mapping, and technical and commercial analysis - to inform strategy and programme design.
• Conduct primary and secondary research across fashion and textiles value chains, translating complex evidence into clear, decision-ready outputs including briefings, reports, case studies, slide decks and practical tools.
• Support workshops, convenings and collaborative initiatives, contributing to design, facilitation and post-event synthesis.
• Engage with technical stakeholders to represent EMF's work with credibility, sharing insights and strengthening the network of experts and partners.
• Maintain and enhance internal knowledge systems, capturing sources, datasets and key learnings, and identifying emerging themes and opportunities to support mission thought leadership.
• Contribute to broader team activities including communicating results, reviewing sources and preparing update materials.

Your profile

• 3+ years' relevant experience delivering high-quality analysis and written outputs in a relevant field such as economics, data science, engineering, business, consulting, environmental science or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience building and maintaining quantitative models, including handling assumptions, datasets and scenario analysis. Comfortable working with incomplete or nascent sector data and making assumptions transparent.
• Experience in analytical or modelling roles within fashion and textiles, sustainability or related sectors; circular business model experience is desirable.
• Experience conducting primary research across value chains or technical domains, with the ability to translate complex findings into clear, senior-ready narratives.
• Experience engaging internal and external stakeholders - comfortable representing project work confidently and responding to associated questions and challenges in the moment; examples of verbal communication and written outputs may be requested at interview.
• Proficiency in tools such as Excel, Python, R or other modelling and data visualisation platforms; familiarity with Google Slides and Tableau or Microsoft Power BI is desirable.
• Fluency in English is required; additional working-level languages are an advantage but not a core requirement.

Application process:

• Initial online meeting with our Talent team and prospective Line manager to start the process.
• A work-related assignment to complete at home or as part of the interview process.
• Interview with our People Team, Team Lead and prospective manager. For more senior roles we will conduct a presentation interview too.

Why Join the Ellen MacArthur Foundation?

• Mission-Driven Work: Be part of an organisation working on some of the most pressing challenges of our time: circular economy and systemic change.
• Collaborative Culture: Work in a dynamic, diverse, and collaborative environment where every team member is valued and empowered to contribute.
• Growth and Impact: Play a key role in shaping an organisation that is influencing global systems and driving positive environmental change.
• Work-Life Balance: We believe in creating a healthy, balanced work environment. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation offers flexible working options to support the well-being of our employees.

We are keen to receive applications from people from underrepresented backgrounds, including (but not limited to) those of colour, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, and people from other marginalised groups. It is important to us that our recruitment approach makes the opportunity as accessible as possible and ensures a diverse range of people can demonstrate their potential.