Post-doctoral Scholar – Energy & Environment Lab (Full-Time, Benefits Eligible)

Post-doctoral Scholar, Energy & Environment Lab at University of Chicago

About the Unit:

The University of Chicago Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth is a groundbreaking effort uniting faculty from across the university to advance society’s understanding of our energy and climate future. The Institute combines faculty insights in energy markets and policy, climate systems engineering, and energy technology to produce world-changing ideas while also investing in the next generation of energy and climate thinkers, leaders, and innovators through novel educational programs. The Energy & Environment Lab (E&E Lab) is a core initiative of the Institute, which partners with agencies at the federal, state and local level to identify, rigorously evaluate, and help scale programs and policies that reduce pollution and improve environmental outcomes, while ensuring access to reliable and affordable energy. The E&E Lab applies rigorous evaluation and modeling methods, including natural and field experiments, randomized controlled trials, behavioral economics, and machine learning, to help policymakers identify and generate evidence on innovative approaches and policy solutions to their most pressing environmental and energy challenges.

The Role: 

The University of Chicago E&E Lab is seeking a full-time Post-Doctoral Scholar to help build and co-lead a portfolio of applied research projects related to environmental policy. The Post-Doctoral Scholar will work closely with the Lab’s Executive Director, Research Directors, other post-docs and the Pritzker Faculty Director (Prof. Michael Greenstone); and collaborate with other faculty members at the University of Chicago, other top universities, as well as government agency partners.

The postdoc will provide intellectual leadership and management for E&E’s strategic planning and analytical work. This includes producing research articles, contributing to the scientific content of research proposals and supporting research dissemination and policymaker outreach activities.

Research Training:

The Post-Doctoral Fellowship offers continued training in preparation for an independent research career. The Fellow will be encouraged to develop collaborative relationships with academic staff/faculty and visitors in the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics, Harris School of Public Policy, the Booth School of Business, and other units around campus.

Responsibilities: 

• Develops research ideas and leads design of new research projects
• Engages with government partners to develop project ideas and help ensure successful execution of research projects in the Lab’s current portfolio
• Provides scientific direction and leadership for new and existing projects
• Mentors research staff, and ensures the rigor and quality of research analysis
• Oversees research activities, including data collection and analysis
• Participates in drafting research proposals, funder reports, and presentations
• Co-authors research articles, reports, briefs and manuscripts
• Presents research findings at meetings and conferences to research and practitioner/policymaker audiences
• Contributes to strategic decisions about new projects and initiatives

Education: 

• PhD in economics or related field

Experience: 

• Minimum of three years research experience preferred
• Experience working with interdisciplinary research teams and policymaker stakeholders preferred

Competencies: 

• Expertise in applied microeconomics methods and all aspects of research design
• Topical expertise in energy and environmental economics, including familiarity with the field literature
• Interest in finding and testing innovative solutions to environmental problems
• Coding experience, including proficiency in R and/or Python
• Substantial experience with randomized controlled trials strongly preferred

Required Documents: 

• Current curriculum vitae
• Job market paper
• Cover letter that includes a brief description of current research and outlines the areas of energy and environmental economics and applied public policy that are of primary interest
• Three letters of reference to be submitted directly to [email protected].

Please direct all questions about this position to [email protected].

Applicants must have completed the requirements for their PhD in economics or related field before starting the Post-Doctoral Fellowship. They may not be employed by another institution during the term of their University of Chicago appointment.

The term of appointment is one year, with the expectation of renewal for two more years assuming good performance. The University of Chicago offers competitive salary and employee benefits. Typical start date is August 1, 2026, with a salary offer of $85,000 per year.

Application materials will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information, please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.