Research Engineer

Department

Climate Systems Engineering Research Initiatives

The Climate Systems Engineering initiative (CSEi) is a groundbreaking, university-wide research effort anchored in the University of Chicago Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth. CSEi addresses the science, engineering, and policy of new technologies to reduce or reverse the harms from accumulated greenhouse gasses, including open‑systems carbon removal, solar geoengineering, and local interventions to slow the melting of glaciers. The initiative spans engineering, physical and biological sciences, social sciences, humanistic approaches, behavioral science, law, policy and ethics, bringing together a collaborative group of faculty and researchers and leveraging the global network and partnerships of the University.

The Climate Systems Engineering initiative at the University of Chicago seeks an experienced Research Engineer to help bridge the gaps between academic modeling and factual engineering planning of SAI and open‑system CDR. Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI) is a prospective climate engineering approach by which small particles, typically sulfate aerosol precursors, are delivered to the lower stratosphere by fixed‑wing aircraft to temporarily offset some warming induced by increased atmospheric CO2.

This role collaborates on improving technological readiness for stratospheric aerosol injection and open‑system carbon dioxide removal approaches deployment. Open‑system carbon dioxide removal (CDR) approaches seek to amend natural systems to enhance their capacity to remove and sequester CO2 with the aim of reducing atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Examples include ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) in which alkalinizing materials are added to seawater to increase the ocean's capacity to store inorganic carbon;

and enhanced rock weathering in which suitable minerals are applied to agricultural lands to accelerate natural geochemical carbon cycling. While these approaches have recently seen a rapid rise in academic research, industry interest and policy attention, critical knowledge gaps remain regarding their deployment and general implementation, which at this stage are still largely theoretical.

• Establishes conceptual designs for stratospheric deployment aircraft using conventional technologies from established Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
• Evaluates new‑build deployment aircraft with novel engine technologies including hybrid electrics, propeller‑driven turbo shaft, reciprocating engines turbocharged by multi‑stage compressors, etc.
• Conducts techno‑economic analyses and evaluates cost estimates for SAI experiment scenarios. For example, assessing cost across aerosol production, delivery systems, and flight operations.
• Designs and evaluates aerosol dispersal technology.
• Manages engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC)/aerospace firm design subcontracts.
• Supports writing white paper and/or peer‑reviewed publications, synthesizing pre‑existing reports and available information on carbon‑neutral quicklime production, as well as other relevant topics.
• Conducts techno‑economic analyses and evaluates cost estimates for end‑to‑end large‑scale OAE deployments, for example, slaked lime dispersal from calcination and associated CO2 storage to material distribution.
• Designs and evaluates processes and technologies for alkalinizing material dispersal in open‑ocean settings.
• Assists in designing laboratory experiments testing engineering hypotheses. Manages subcontracts with EPC firms and consultants.
• Plans own resources effectively to ensure projects are delivered on time, to standard and to budget.
• With a moderate level of guidance, researches, designs and evaluates a variety of mechanical processes and machinery.
• Performs development activities including drawing board layout, interpretation and implementation of project specifications and documentation requirements.
• Conducts engineering studies and assigns work to technical staff. Builds knowledge of the organization, processes and customers.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Education: Minimum…