The Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP) at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs is conducting an open search for Senior Research Scholar or Research Scholars to work on major research topics related to energy and climate change.

While the search is open to a broad range of areas of expertise at the intersection of economics, foreign policy, security, markets, policy, climate change, and energy, particular areas of interest include expertise to conduct research on:

a) Artificial intelligence, climate, security, and energy: This field of research will include focus on issues such as (1) the availability of adequate energy supply to enable the growth of AI in the United States and in partner countries (e.g., the availability of clean, firm power, efficiencies to curb AI-driven power demand, transmission and infrastructure expansion, nuclear, etc); (2) national security implications that arise as AI companies operate and build data centers more globally; and (3) how artificial intelligence (AI) can mitigate climate change and enhance resilience.

b) Electricity: CGEP has an interdisciplinary approach to understanding what the IEA calls the "golden age" of electricity. We are interested in scholars with expertise on electricity markets from a supply and demand perspective, on fuels, technologies, and supply chains, as well understanding of utility regulation, rate design and cost allocation. We are looking for candidates with the ability to take a macro view and understand the role of electricity in decarbonization, in national security and trade, and in scaling emerging new technologies like AI and data centers. We also want to hear from scholars with expertise in global electricity policy outside the United States, particularly China, India, the EU, and GCC.

c) Carbon management: CGEP is interested in understanding the crucial role of policy, regulation, and markets in commercializing and scaling carbon management technology solutions. We are particularly interested in understanding financing, permitting and regulatory challenges around the deployment of carbon capture, utilization and storage, carbon mineralization, and/or direct air capture technologies. We are interested in demand-side drivers for carbon management such as the decarbonization of hard-to-abate industrial sectors, natural gas and coal-fired electric power generation, and zero-carbon fuels (e.g.,hydrogen, power-to-X, carbon-to-fuels). We also are interested in the development of voluntary and compliance carbon markets as a driver for investment and innovation in low and zero carbon emissions technologies.

The search is broad and CGEP anticipates that multiple hires may be made. Ideal candidates will have expertise and awareness across multiple aspects of the energy ecosystem (e.g., technical, policy, regulatory, markets, etc). Their research will include some combination of experience that could include domestic and/or international energy and climate change policy, geopolitics, technology, equality and justice, markets, economics, development, or other relevant issues.

Successful execution will require generating original research, managing collaborative research projects across departments, and communicating research findings clearly and concisely to a range of audiences in a manner that maximizes policy impact, as well as contributing to the University's wider research and convening efforts. This person (or persons) will help to set the research vision and agenda for these topic areas in collaboration with the leadership team.

The position will leverage linkages between other areas of ongoing work across the Earth Institute, Business School, Engineering School, Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy, and other units across Columbia University more broadly, including its first in the nation Climate School. The appointment will be made at the level of Senior Research Scholar or Research Scholar depending on experience.

Main Responsibilities:

Regularly publish outputs, including peer-reviewed journal articles, research reports, issue briefs, op-eds, and others, aimed at practical applications and accessibility by practitioners.

Assist in securing funding from a variety of sources to support the program's operation.

Leverage the resources available across Columbia University to ensure the program is cross disciplinary and engages faculty and students from all relevant disciplines.

Facilitate public discussions to improve the general understanding of complex issues.

• Master's degree focused on energy technology, engineering, economics, public policy or a related field (PhD or terminal degree preferred).
• Significant related work experience.
• Direct experience across some combination of the following topics: artificial intelligence, climate, security, energy, electricity, carbon management (e.g., carbon capture, utilization, and storage, carbon mineralization, and/or direct air capture), decarbonization of industry, decarbonization of hard to abate sectors, natural gas, zero-carbon fuels (e.g., hydrogen, power-to-X, carbon-to-fuels), technology and innovation, energy systems modeling, energy policy, and climate policy, equality and justice in the energy transition, or another relevant area.
• English language proficiency and strong communication skills (both oral and written) required.
• Strong publication record that includes a combination of peer-reviewed journal, research reports, issue briefs, op-eds, and other outputs in addition to speaking engagements with diverse audiences.

Hiring Salary Range:

• Research Scholar: $160,000 - $172,346

• Senior Research Scholar: $175,000 - 192,900

Applicants should upload a cover letter, curriculum vitae, list of references (3), and a writing sample.

Screening of the candidates will begin immediately and the search will remain open no less than 30 days from the date of posting and continue until filled. For further information, please contact the Center on Global Energy Policy Human Resources (CGEP HR) Office at cgephr@columbia.edu.