Research Scientist 1

MIT • Cambridge, MA

3d

About The Position

The Research Scientist 1 position in Civil and Environmental Engineering will critically analyze the role of industrial carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The role involves interacting with other researchers at MIT on diverse issues related to climate change, energy systems, and the carbon cycle. The research will address questions concerning the over-prediction of CCS growth by integrated assessment models, the impact of CCS subsidies on emissions, the true costs and energy requirements of CCS, industries amenable to CCS application, the influence of industry funding on academic promotion of CCS, safety risks of CCS, effects of CCS on air and water quality, and the relationship between CCS site location and demographics. Additionally, the research scientist will collaborate on other projects related to climate change, energy systems, and the carbon cycle, conduct in-depth research and analysis on the local and global impacts of CCS on communities, including advocacy mechanisms influencing CCS policy funding and development, compile and manage relevant datasets, develop and publish shareable computer code, prepare and disseminate research findings through publications and other channels, and collaborate with colleagues and external partners.

Requirements

• PhD in Geological Engineering or Geoscience or a related field
• Two years of experience in a research environment, preferably in data analysis
• Knowledgeable in areas of petroleum engineering, disinformation tracking, and site analysis

Responsibilities

• Critically analyze the role of industrial carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Interact with other researchers at MIT on diverse issues related to climate change, energy systems and the carbon cycle.
• Address questions including: Why have integrated assessment models consistently over-predicted the growth of CCS? Can CCS subsidies increase emissions? What does evidence suggest about the true costs and energy requirements of CCS? What industries might be amenable to application of CCS? How has industry funding affected academic promotion of CCS? What are safety risks of CCS? What are effects of CCS on air and water quality? and how is the relation of CCS site location to demographics?
• Collaborate in other projects related to climate change, energy systems, and the carbon cycle.
• Conduct in-depth research and analysis to assess the local and global impacts of CCS on communities, including the advocacy mechanisms that influence CCS policy funding and development.
• Compile, curate, and manage relevant datasets to support comprehensive research and analysis efforts.
• Develop, document, and publish shareable computer code on platforms such as GitHub to facilitate analyses and enhance reproducibility.
• Prepare and disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed publications and other appropriate channels, including opinion pieces and policy briefs.
• Collaborate with colleagues and external partners to support and advance related research initiatives.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree