Princeton University

Princeton's Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment is seeking an early-to-mid career individual to help lead research on net-zero emissions energy transitions at the rank of associate research scholar or more senior. The individual will join Rapid Switch, an international multi-disciplinary research collaboration that seeks to identify pathways to accelerate decarbonization of energy systems by assessing barriers, bottlenecks, and unintended consequences that can arise during large-scale rapid energy-system transitions and seeking to define approaches for resolving these sector-by-sector and region-by-region. Working with Andlinger Center Senior Research Scholars, Eric Larson and Chris Greig, and Professors Jesse Jenkins, Christos Maravelias, and Elke Weber, the individual will assist in directing collaborative and individual energy-systems analysis research projects that develop new modeling methods and decision support tools, advance research on practical challenges to net-zero transitions and how to overcome them, and assist in launching the Net-Zero Earth Challenge (NZEC). Applicants will have a PhD in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, systems engineering, operations research, energy resources, electrical engineering, computer science, or other relevant field. The ideal applicant may have 4+ years of energy-systems analysis experience, including a demonstrated track record of effective project and team management. Applicants should have experience in energy-technology assessment and energy-systems modeling, including optimization methods; a passion for practical decision support; familiarity with algebraic modeling languages used for linear and mixed integer programming; and enjoy working in multidisciplinary and collaborative research environments. Applicants should have strong, demonstrated research ability, and excellent English written and spoken communication skills. NZEC is envisioned to be a consortium of universities and organizations worldwide prepared to take on the challenge of net-zero emissions modeling, decision support, and planning that helps catalyze decarbonization actions on the ground. Research under the consortium will focus on the feasibility of modelled transitions; technology-neutrality in net-zero pathways; respect for deep uncertainty and localized differences in social, technical, environmental, investment and political challenges; and an insistence on high-resolution granularity and cross-disciplinary research to elucidate those challenges and design responses. NZEC will build on Princeton's Net-Zero America study, which developed uniquely-granular sectoral, temporal, and spatial analyses to illustrate what different net-zero transitions by 2050 for the U.S. would look like 'on the ground'. We are interested in receiving applications from members of groups that have been historically underrepresented in science and engineering. The appointment will be for one year with the possibility of renewal based on performance and availability of funding. Successful candidates may start as early as Oct. 1, 2021. Depending on University Covid-related restrictions, it may be necessary to start remotely. Interested applicants should apply online at https://www.princeton.edu/acad-positions/position/22342 and submit a CV, cover letter, and contact information for three references. These positions are subject to the University's background check policy. Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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