Postdoctoral researcher - Low carbon transition of electricity systems, Environmental Markets L

Position overview

Position title: Postdoctoral researcher
- Low carbon transition of electricity systems

Salary range: A reasonable estimate at 100% time is $69,073 to $85,000.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: Negotiable; ideally starts May 1, 2026 or later.

Position duration: 2-year initial appointment

The Environmental Markets Lab (emLab – (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).) and Clean Energy Transformation Lab (CETlab – ) at the University of California Santa Barbara invite applications for a full‑time Postdoctoral Scholar position to lead research in low‑carbon transitions in electricity systems in India and other regions. Efforts will include developing operations and planning models of electricity systems, power flow and transmission analysis, load forecasting, and climate impacts analysis.

The postdoctoral scholar will be expected to lead or contribute to peer‑reviewed publications and open‑source modeling software, present research findings to a diverse group of stakeholders, conduct training of stakeholders, and develop policy briefs and reports for funders and agencies. The postdoctoral scholar will work closely with the PI, Ranjit Deshmukh, as well as with emLab and CETlab graduate students, postdocs, and lab collaborators.

The Environmental Markets Lab (emLab) is a team of scientists based at UC Santa Barbara that advances economic research to deliver practical solutions for people and the planet. In collaboration with implementing partners, we design, test, and implement scalable solutions that work across boundaries—connecting science with policy, data with decisions, and ambition with action—to create pathways toward a future where environmental and human well‑being mutually reinforce one another.

We endeavor to foster an inclusive, collaborative work environment to bring interdisciplinary expertise to solve critical environmental problems. The CETlab focuses on low carbon and just transitions in energy systems by applying energy systems modeling, empirical analyses, and social science research methods. Ongoing CETlab projects are focused on understanding and supporting clean energy transitions in the United States, India, and Sub‑Saharan Africa through modeling and development of decision‑support tools.

Lab projects include the Multi‑criteria Analysis for Planning Renewable Energy (MapRE) initiative, a spatial analysis platform for planning renewable energy deployment, and Grid Path, an electricity system planning and operations analysis platform.

This appointment includes a competitive benefits package with medical, dental and vision insurance and a UC retirement plan. Salary is commensurate with the applicant’s qualifications and experience.

Department: /

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Applicants must have completed all requirements for a Ph.D. (or equivalent) except the dissertation in engineering, interdisciplinary energy studies, or a related field at the time of application.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

PhD in engineering, interdisciplinary energy studies, or a closely related field at the time of appointment.

Preferred qualifications

• Domain knowledge in energy studies, power systems, renewable energy grid integration, and optimization models.
• Extensive experience with managing, processing, and analyzing large datasets and strong programming skills especially in Python.
• Experience working with transmission power flow and machine learning models.
• Strong scientific writing, presentation skills, and interest in and track record of publishing in top academic journals is preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with academic, NGO and government partners, and to work effectively as part of a highly collaborative research team.

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae
  - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Writing Sample
  - Submit paper or other writing sample

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)

The search committee will contact references of the top candidate(s) after the interviews. After…