Postdoctoral Research Associate - College of Engineering - Engineering and Public Policy

Carnegie Mellon University is a private, global research university that stands among the world’s most renowned education institutions. With ground-breaking brain science, path-breaking performances, creative start-ups, big data, big ambitions, hands-on learning, and a whole lot of robots, CMU doesn’t imagine the future, we invent it. The Department of Engineering and Public Policy (EPP) is a unique department in the College of Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University which addresses important problems in technology and policy.

About the role

The Department of Engineering and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University is seeking an exceptional postdoctoral researcher to advance cutting-edge, policy-relevant analysis of the U.S. energy system through open-source modeling and collaborative research. The successful applicant will play a central role in developing and applying Tools for Energy Model Optimization and Analysis (Temoa), a widely used open-source energy systems optimization framework, and contributing to the Open Energy Outlook, an ongoing effort to provide transparent, scenario-based insights into the long-term evolution of the U.S. energy system under deep uncertainty. This position sits at the intersection of energy systems modeling, open science, and policy analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, maintenance, and extension of the Temoa modeling framework, including its core architecture and documentation.
• Maintain an input database representing the U.S. energy system.
• Help coordinate modeling and analysis activities across a large, interdisciplinary team and contribute to open-source software management, including version control, issue tracking, and community engagement.
• Conduct original research using energy systems optimization models to inform pressing U.S. energy and climate policy questions, including designing and implementing model scenarios with careful attention to uncertainty, technology evolution, and policy dynamics.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in engineering, operations research, economics, or a related field.
• Strong expertise in energy systems modeling, particularly optimization-based approaches, and demonstrated experience with scientific programming and data analysis using tools such as Python, Pyomo, Pandas, or R.
• Experience with open-source software development practices, including GitHub, is essential.
• Ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with large-scale energy system models or integrated assessment models, as well as familiarity with U.S. energy systems, climate policy, and technology pathways.
• Experience managing complex datasets and relational databases.
• An interest in advancing open, transparent, and reproducible approaches to energy analysis.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous retirement savings program with employer contributions.
• Tuition benefits.
• Ample paid time off and observed holidays.
• Life and accidental death and disability insurance.
• Free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass.
• Access to Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs.
• Fitness center access.

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore the Benefits page.

Pay

Salary basis.

Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Position Type: Postdoctoral Associate / Fellow (Fixed Term)
Schedule: Full time