Princeton University

Three postdoctoral research associate or more senior positions are available through the Princeton Institute for International & Regional Studies (PIIRS). The positions are also affiliated with Princeton's Andlinger Center for Energy & the Environment and Woodrow Wilson School of Public & International Affairs. Applications are encouraged from individuals with a PhD and research interests in (a) political science, (b) cognitive or social psychology or other social or behavioral sciences related to decision making, (c) applied economics, or (d) any other relevant natural, physical, ecological or social science related to the prospective decarbonization of India's energy system. Positions are with Rapid Switch, a new multi-disciplinary collaboration, including researchers in the U.S., China, India, and Australia, that seeks to identify pathways to accelerate decarbonization of energy systems by assessing bottlenecks, barriers and resistive forces. Factors that can retard the pace of transition are diverse, including industrial bottlenecks (technological challenges, natural resource availability and constraints in material supplies and manufacturing capacity), regulatory limitations, economic forces and fiscal constraints, political constraints and competing goals, collective action problems, consumer preferences and fears, lack of public acceptance, resistance by incumbent industries, rational and irrational influences on public and private investment decisions, and others. Bottlenecks and resistive forces are likely to be exacerbated in key countries like India, where the global decarbonization agenda may be subordinate to other national development priorities and stands in conflict with historical equity and justice considerations and India's economic growth agenda. Understanding India's ability to shift to a low-carbon energy path without compromising its development agenda will be crucial to achieving global decarbonization ambitions. Research will assess energy transitions with special focus on the complex social, economic, and political challenges that India faces. Questions of interest: i) What are plausible scenarios for long-term energy demand growth? ii) How can the rate of low-carbon (dominated by solar) electricity deployment be maximized? iii) What are the economic, social and political implications of rapidly transitioning from a coal-based to a renewables-based energy economy? iv) What dynamic political, socio-economic, and psychological forces might interact to create complementarities, barriers to change, and/or path dependencies in the transition from a coal-based to a renewables-based energy economy? v) What political bottlenecks or rapid-flow channels might emerge in a transition from coal to renewable energy? Applicants should have a strong background, including PhD, in political science or in a relevant social or behavioral science (e.g., psychology, sociology, behavioral economics, management), or applied economics, or any other relevant natural, physical, ecological or social science field. We are specifically seeking candidates with interest and experience in applied, interdisciplinary research with strong modelling and/or analytical skills and, preferably, demonstrated ability working with scientists and engineers and in international field settings. Excellent written and spoken English required. With approval of supervisor and sufficient course enrollments, candidates may participate in teaching program for up to one course per academic year, with approval of the Dean of the Faculty. Appointment will be for one year with possibility of renewal pending evaluation of performance and mutual agreement after first year. Successful candidates can start as early as June 1, 2019. Applicants must apply online at https://www.princeton.edu/acad-positions/position/10742 and submit a CV, cover letter, and contact information for three references. Positions are subject to the University's background check policy.

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