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Sustainability Researcher

Pictet Group • Switzerland • Added on Jul 31, 2026
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This role bridges the gap between scientific environmental research and the complex world of high-finance investment strategy. You will lead empirical research projects that explore how natural systems—specifically climate, biodiversity, and water—interact with financial valuation and portfolio performance. By performing rigorous data analysis and designing new methodologies, you will transform abstract ecological risks into clear, actionable intelligence for global investment teams.

Working at the heart of an elite private bank, you provide the analytical backbone for the firm’s long-term environmental resilience strategy. At a time when the financial sector is under intense pressure to account for planetary boundaries, your work ensures that investment decisions are rooted in hard evidence rather than just compliance checkboxes. This is about defining the future of responsible wealth management through the lens of ecological science.

This suits someone who possesses the technical rigor of a researcher combined with a sharp understanding of capital markets. You are likely a data-driven specialist who enjoys translating complex Python-based models into strategic narratives that influence senior decision-makers.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary focus of this role is to drive empirical research that links environmental resilience with financial outcomes. You will be responsible for designing research methodologies and conducting deep-dive analyses into how climate change, biodiversity loss, and water stress impact asset valuation and portfolio construction. Beyond data crunching, you will lead strategic projects within the Group Sustainability Office, ensuring that findings are not just theoretical but translated into actionable insights for investment and risk teams. This involves producing high-quality publications and internal reports that shape the Group's long-term sustainability stance.

Key learning opportunities for this job

You will gain unprecedented exposure to the integration of planetary boundaries into sophisticated financial models. By working alongside both academic experts and veteran asset managers, you will sharpen your ability to apply environmental science to diverse asset classes, from listed equities to unlisted private assets. Furthermore, you will enhance your quantitative expertise, particularly in utilizing Python for advanced ESG data analysis within a high-stakes corporate environment. The role offers a front-row seat to the evolution of sustainable finance regulation and methodology in Switzerland and globally.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate holds a Master's or PhD in a quantitative field such as Sustainability, Finance, or Economics. You must possess a strong grasp of environmental topics like land-use change and water stress, coupled with a solid understanding of portfolio management and valuation techniques. Technical proficiency is mandatory; you should have advanced Python coding skills and experience in statistical analysis. Equally important is the ability to communicate these complex findings to non-technical stakeholders, requiring excellent written and verbal English skills and a proactive, collaborative mindset.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, your application should demonstrate a clear track record of applied research. Instead of listing general interests, provide examples of how you have used data to solve a specific problem at the intersection of ecology and economics. Mentioning any experience with specific environmental datasets or financial APIs will be highly regarded. Since Pictet prizes a long-term mindset, align your cover letter with their history of independence and entrepreneurial spirit. Show that you understand the difference between simple ESG screening and the deep, evidence-based research needed to build truly resilient investment portfolios.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The role is centrally located within the Group Sustainability Office, focusing heavily on environmental resilience. This includes deep dives into climate transition risks, physical risks associated with biodiversity loss, and the systemic impacts of water scarcity on global supply chains. Rather than focusing on corporate social responsibility or internal greening, this position is dedicated to the investment side of sustainability. You will help the firm understand how ecological health dictates the long-term viability of their assets under management.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the significant challenges will be the translation of scientific uncertainty into the relatively precise language of finance. Bridging the gap between long-term ecological cycles and the shorter-term horizons of financial markets requires significant analytical nuance. Additionally, you may face challenges regarding data fragmentation. Environmental data is often less standardized than financial data, so you will need to be creative and rigorous in how you clean, interpret, and validate your models to maintain credibility with internal risk and investment committees.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with deep-work sessions focused on Python-based modeling or cleaning environmental datasets. You might then transition to a meeting with external academic partners to discuss the latest methodologies in biodiversity footprinting before heading into a collaborative session with the wider GSO team. In the afternoon, you could be drafting a research brief that summarizes complex findings into strategic takeaways for a management committee. The role involves a balance between solitary analytical work and high-level stakeholder engagement to ensure research is being utilized effectively.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

This role provides a unique platform to establish yourself as a subject matter expert at the intersection of science and finance. Success in this position could lead to permanent roles within the sustainability office or specialized ESG roles within the asset management or private banking divisions. Given the high visibility of the GSO’s work, you will have the chance to contribute to industry-leading publications. This builds significant personal brand equity and professional authority within the rapidly expanding field of sustainable investment strategy.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact daily with the Group Sustainability Office team, who provide the strategic context for your work. You will also engage closely with external academics and research institutions to ensure your methodologies remain at the cutting edge of environmental science. Internally, your key 'clients' are the investment, management, and risk teams. You will need to build strong relationships with these stakeholders to ensure your research findings are understood, trusted, and integrated into the firm's core decision-making processes.

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