About us

Positive Money is a leading international progressive research and campaigns organisation seeking to reform the economic system so that it serves people and the planet. In the EU office, our expertise lies within monetary policy from which we are building various policy interventions for a fairer, more democratic and sustainable economic system in the EU. We produce ground-breaking research and policy proposals, advocate for them with EU policymakers, and we engage in the public debate through regular media appearances and social media interventions. 

We develop original research to support our advocacy work across three key areas: democratising money and banking, a green and fair European Central Bank, and financing the just transition in Europe. Discover more at positivemoney.org 

Our organisation is engaged on a strong development path to fight against all structures of oppression. We are working towards systematically enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion in our practices and projects. We actively cultivate support, respect, open communication and collaboration with each other, and encourage creativity and innovation. We foster an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and where work arrangements are tailored to accommodate individual needs, ensuring every team member can contribute their best work.

Please read further to learn more about our culture, benefits, and hiring process. If you have any questions or considerations you would like us to accommodate in the recruitment process, please email Aurélie, Executive Director at aurelie.marechal@positivemoney.eu 

About the role

We are recruiting a researcher to integrate our Brussels-based EU team, on a full or part-time basis (80%). The role will focus on producing proactive and reactive research, both in-house and through collaboration with external partners. 

Our current research areas cover the development of a green monetary policy to support a just and sustainable transition (including supporting energy efficient home renovations and the deployment of renewable energy);  the role of the European Central Bank, the European Investment Bank and national central banks in the EU in such transition; the coordination between monetary and fiscal policy to maintain price stability and increase green investments; the promotion of a universally accessible and safe digital euro for all citizens; the effects of monetary policy on income and wealth inequalities; the systemic risks of real estate holdings in the financial sectors, etc.  

On the one hand, the researcher produces long pieces and research reports on our areas of expertise, alone or in collaboration with other internal or external researchers. On the other hand, they support our advocacy and communications work on a daily-basis with various tasks ranging from writing and reviewing policy briefings, providing the policy and communication teams with accurate facts and evidence - making sure our campaign messaging and proposals are rooted in rigorous analysis, reacting to news events and media requests (including appearances on podcasts and press), etc. 

As a full member of our team, you will also contribute to the overall development of the organisation and be involved in fundraising (e.g. writing grant proposals and reports, networking, etc.). You will report to the Head of Research. 

You can discover more about our philosophy, priorities and ways of working here.

About You

This is an exceptional opportunity for a researcher passionate about new economic thinking and committed to our values. You have strong quantitative and analytical skills and are able to quickly absorb, organise, and concisely convey new information about often complex issues. You are happy to juggle between different tasks, to actively contribute to our advocacy and communications work, whilst being able to independently organise your long-term research work. You share our commitment to an inclusive and diverse team, and our culture of being open-minded, ambitious, respectful and self-aware. Then see below the detailed role description and process to apply!

Responsibilities include

Strategy 

• Support the Head of Research in designing the research programme strategy and the wider organisational strategy
• Develop research projects based on our organisational strategy, the research programme strategy and the requirements from our funders 

Delivery

• Work with the Head of Research on delivering the research programme strategy. 
• Be accountable for the management and/or delivery of certain research projects from start to finish, including with external consultants or partners
• Perform research and write research reports and briefings, blog posts on a range of money and banking reform topics, as well as other research outputs
• Support Positive Money Europe’s advocacy and communication teams by providing research-based evidence and quick analysis reacting to current news events, EU policy files and media requests
• Monitor developments in EU institutions, banking industry and in Eurozone monetary policy and key Eurozone statistics
• Develop and maintain project management documentation such as project descriptions, project plans, budgets and ensure regular evaluations are carried out
• Contribute to the overall development of the organisation, and its fundraising efforts in particular (e.g. writing funding applications, grants reporting, researching new leads, etc.) 

People and culture

• Communicate with self-awareness, respect and transparency, actively contributing to a work environment where other team members feel safe and heard, and collaborate with an open mind
• Communicate clearly and constructively with external partners to ensure a smooth running of the projects 
• Role model our values and principles of work within and outside the organisation 
• Implement strategies and practices to dismantle oppression within the research programme, and embed anti-oppression thinking in our research projects

External 

• Represent Positive Money Europe externally to a range of different audiences and stakeholders such as civil society, policy makers, media and academia
• Build relationships with funders, policymakers and other researchers (including academics, central bankers, regulators and experts within the financial sector)    

Person specification

Skills & Experience 

• Experience as a researcher in an academic, think tank or non-profit environment, including written publications in English (e.g. published articles, research or policy reports, blogs, press or social media interventions, etc.);
• A Masters degree in social sciences with focus on economics, finance, banking or environmental studies. Holding a PhD is a plus. Familiarity with heterodox economic theories, gender studies, and/or global studies is a plus;
• Knowledge of current Eurozone economic policies, EU institutional functioning and current political developments. Expertise with one of our research areas is a strong advantage (monetary policy, digital currencies, just transition, green finance, etc.);
• Excellent written and oral communications skills in English for different audiences - being capable of writing research papers, policy reports, op-eds and other outputs for a wide range of expert and non-expert audiences;
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills;
• Willingness and ability to provide commentary and analysis on current policy developments, often under tight deadlines;
• Ability to manage projects and meet deadlines. Any experience with project management tools and/or multi-stakeholders project management is a plus;
• Proficiency in any other EU language is a plus.

Values & Behaviours

• Passionate about our mission of reforming money and banking to build a fair, democratic and sustainable economy;
• A problem solver, willing to dive into uncertain or complex new areas of work;
• High degree of initiative and attention to detail;
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills;
• A commitment to continued learning on anti-oppression concepts;
• High level of self-awareness. Skilled in reflecting on your own behaviours and practices and working to change them where necessary;
• Commitment to demonstrating our values and principles of work in your work.

We invite anyone who is interested to apply, regardless of background, experience, or credentials. We aim to select candidates based on performance in our selection process and actively try to minimise the influence of our biases. There is no perfect candidate, so if you can picture yourself thriving in this role, we’d love to receive an application from you.

Terms and conditions

Contract: The role is for a long-terme contract (Belgian “contrat à durée indéterminée”) with a 6-month evaluation period.

Salary: €3,744 gross monthly for a full-time (or €48,378 gross annually, covering also paid holidays).

Salaries are automatically indexed regularly following the Belgian mandatory system accounting for inflation. 

In addition we offer a potential 2% progression per year, subject to the financial situation of the organisation and to the results of the employee’s annual appraisal. 

Benefits (pro rata if working less than full time hours): 

Positive Money is committed to developing our employees, and being a supportive, flexible and compassionate employer. We offer a range of benefits to EU staff including:

• 5 extra holidays on top of the statutory 20 days and 10 public holidays that are standard under Belgian law 
• Supplementary pension scheme of 4.5% of gross annual salary and supplementary capital in the event of death (life insurance)
• Meal vouchers, which can be spent in supermarkets & most restaurants, of €7/worked day 
• Full coverage of public transportation costs for home to work commute (monthly subscription for Brussels public transport of €55/month, or train subscription corresponding to the actual commute)
• Work from home allowance of €157.83/month 
• DKV health insurance coverage (including amongst others: ambulatory costs, hospitalisation, dental care, glasses, hospitalisation, assistance in Europe, etc.)
• Phone allowance of €10/month 
• Representation fees of €100/month
• Remote work from abroad in Europe up to 3 months per year

Location: Flexible hybrid arrangement between working in our Brussels office (Square Ambiorix 10, 1000 Brussels) and working from home in Belgium. 

Hours: Full-time (38 hours/per week) or part-time at 80% (4 days or 30.4 hours/week). Possibility to work a full-time equivalent in 4 days/week. 

Starting date: as soon as possible and no later than end of January 2026

How to apply

Please complete the application form here by September 28th 2025, midnight CET.

You will be required to upload a CV, which will be anonymised prior to being reviewed by our hiring team, as well as samples of your recent work. 

We do not ask for a cover letter but are using the questions in the application form to assess the motivation of the applicants and provide a comparative ground between them.

We will only accept complete applications submitted through the application form. 

We will contact shortlisted candidates shortly after the deadline to invite them to complete a written assessment and an interview (in person in Brussels or online) in October 2025. 

Positive Money is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, size, national origin, disability, age, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, or genetic information. We are committed to hiring and retaining a diverse, culturally competent staff at all levels of the organisation. We strongly encourage people of the global majority, especially Black and Asian folks, LGBTQIA+ individuals, persons living with disabilities, women, non-binary individuals, and people of various socioeconomic backgrounds to apply for this position.

We are committed to making our hiring process as accessible as possible. To request a special arrangement, please let us know in your application or email aurelie.marechal@positivemoney.eu