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Postdoctoral Scholar in Industrial Process Decarbonization Modeling and Analysis - Bren School of Environmental Science and Management

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Position Number: 7073883
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Position Type: Engineering - Industrial & Manufacturing

Postdoctoral Scholar in Industrial Process Decarbonization Modeling and Analysis - Bren School of Environmental Science and Management

University of California Santa Barbara

Position overview
Position title: Postdoctoral Scholar in Industrial Process Decarbonization Modeling and Analysis Salary range: The posted UC system-wide salary scales set the minimum pay based on prior
months of postdoc service (both domestic and international) before the start of
appointment. See Table 23 and 23N (Hourly) for experience level minimums. A
reasonable estimated full-time rate for this position at 100% time is $64,480-
$80,000. Salaries that are higher than the published system-wide salary at the
designated experience level minimum, are offered when necessary to meet
competitive conditions. Percent time: 100% Anticipated start: June 1, 2026 or later Position duration: Two years, with the potential for extension based on performance, length of research project and availability of funding. Application Window

Open date: April 10, 2026

Next review date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Monday, Jun 1, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

The Bren School of Environmental Science and Management is seeking a postdoctoral scholar with a primary focus on process systems energy, emissions, and technology analysis for industrial decarbonization. Our research is a collaboration between environmental policy, industrial sustainability analysis, and politics research labs at the University of California Santa Barbara. We use cutting-edge empirical research, data science, policy development, and media engagement to support transformational policy change in the United States and across the planet.

The position will support development of process energy, emissions, and economic models, datasets, and scenarios for different U.S. manufacturing subsectors, including petrochemicals, food and beverage, pulp and paper, cement, and other energy-intensive industries. These analyses will also include modeling of process electrification and renewable energy integration pathways for specific industrial locations in the United States, with the goal of developing scenarios and roadmaps for near-term decarbonization strategies and policies. The position will also support the generation and online dissemination of novel datasets, modeling code, and maps that can be used by researchers and policymakers to assess different decarbonization options.

The postdoctoral scholar will be a part of UCSB's Industrial Sustainability Analysis Lab. This position will be recruited through the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at UCSB.

School: https://bren.ucsb.edu/

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Ph.D. in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, energy systems engineering, or a related engineering or natural sciences field (or equivalent international degree), OR be enrolled in a relevant PhD program at the time of application.
Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

Ph.D. in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, energy systems engineering, or a related engineering or natural sciences field (or equivalent international degree) at the time of start date of position.

Preferred qualifications

-Strong expertise and experience with developing mass and energy balance models of industrial process systems, ideally for the chemicals, food and beverage, pulp and paper, metals, and/or cement industries.
-Strong expertise and experience with conducting process systems economic analysis and/or techno-economic analysis (TEA).
-Familiarity and experience with major U.S. sources of statistics on manufacturing energy use, emissions, and economic characteristics, for example the U.S. -Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey, U.S. EPA FLIGHT, U.S. EPA National Emissions Monitoring System, U.S. production and trade statistics, and County Business Patterns.
-Experience with process simulation software packages, particularly ASPEN Plus, as well as GIS and basic data visualization software.
-Experience conducting uncertainty and sensitivity analyses using process systems models via statistical plug-in packages or via coding.
-Strong experience in model programming, e.g., via Python or R.
-Experience working with APIs for online data acquisition and maintenance.
-Familiarity with life-cycle assessment (LCA) datasets, fuel-cycle environmental datasets, and U.S. spatial datasets of environmental and social justice indicators.
-Proven record of independently leading research projects, publishing journal articles and presenting at conferences.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter
Statement of Research - Statement of Research, Interests, and Goals
Publications - One first-author publication that is most indicative of the candidate's research design and implementation, data and results interpretation, and scientific communication skills on an topic relevant to the position duties.

Reference requirements

3-5 required (contact information only)

Only the finalists' references will be contacted. The committee may select 2-3 finalists after the interviews if there is no clear top candidate. In that case, the committee may contact the references of all remaining finalists before making their final selection.
Apply link: https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF03051

Help contact: kellykeogh@ucsb.edu
About UC Santa Barbara

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination as defined by the employer.
UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, students and third parties
APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Additionally, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
Job location
Santa Barbara, CA

To apply, please visit: https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF03051