Hitz Fellow, Fossil Fuel-Al Nexus

Union of Concerned Scientists

7d•Remote

About The Position

The Science Fellow will conduct an interdisciplinary, two-year project examining the energy, emissions, and equity impacts of AI-driven data center expansion. Using a mixed-methods approach including data analysis, corporate document review, and policy mapping, the fellow will produce publicly accessible, scientifically rigorous research that studies if AI's energy demands are being shaped by corporate profit rather than public need, and if fossil fuel interests are partnering with tech giants to lock in fossil fuel infrastructure. The Fellow will communicate findings both internally and externally to empower regulators, advocates, and communities with evidence.

Requirements

PhD in energy systems, environmental policy, geography, data science, or a closely related discipline.
Experience designing and executing interdisciplinary or mixed-methods research.
Research design skills.
Statistical analysis skills.
Scientific writing skills.
Ability to translate technical findings for non-expert audiences.
Proficiency in a scripting language (Python preferred; R or Julia acceptable).
Demonstrated commitment to justice and public-interest research.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with version control and git/GitHub.
Experience with emissions accounting.
Experience with energy-systems analysis.
Experience with corporate-disclosure research.
Experience with narrative or discourse analysis.
Familiarity with the AI landscape.
Familiarity with tech policy.
Familiarity with environmental justice.
Experience with GIS.
Experience with community-based research collaborations.
Ongoing engagements within the scientific community.

Responsibilities

Scope, design, and conduct rigorous, novel research and analyses on the energy demand, emissions, and justice implications of AI-driven data center expansion.
Compile and analyze available data on electricity demand from AI workloads and the power supplying major data center hubs, employing triangulation strategies to address data scarcity.
Analyze corporate sustainability reports, SEC filings, energy procurement contracts, and lobbying efforts by tech, utilities, and fossil fuel companies.
Conduct discourse analysis of public statements, press releases, and marketing materials from major tech firms to identify greenwashing narratives.
Use GIS to overlay data center locations, existing and proposed gas plants, and diesel generator sites with EJ Screen indicators to identify disproportionately burdened communities in the U.S.
Ensure that principles of diversity, equity, justice, inclusivity, and accessibility are effectively integrated into analytic projects.
Author a report or factsheet on the AI–Fossil Fuel Nexus with findings on data center energy sources, emissions, and corporate claims.
Publish findings in a respected scientific journal (e.g., a peer-reviewed paper on AI-driven electricity demand and fossil fuel dependence).
Map regulatory loopholes, outdated grid rules, and accounting practices enabling greenwashing and fossil fuel dependence in the data center sector.
Engage and collaborate with UCS to work on policy implications of findings.
Present work to the scientific, policymakers, communities, and other key audiences.
Write blog posts for UCS's blog, The Equation.
Work with the communications team to produce infographics and short videos.
Draft op-eds/LTEs for major outlets.
Act as a UCS spokesperson for AI–energy issues and talk with reporters and journalists from a range of media outlets.
Analyze who bears the financial, environmental, and health burdens of AI-driven energy expansion and who is excluded from decision-making.
Document cases of marginalization, disenfranchisement, or outright exclusion in infrastructure siting and grid planning.
Engage respectfully and with equity and justice in mind when interfacing with partners and affected communities.
Participate in team-wide or organization-wide meetings as necessary.
Maintain awareness of role as a representative of UCS by ensuring activities and statements promote and enhance UCS's organizational positions and priorities.
Collaborate with Power Ahead, Climate Resilience, Accountability, and Communications teams.