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Postdoctoral Associate

Job Number: 26147
Functional Area: Research - Engineering
Department: MIT Climate
School Area: VP Research
Pay Range Minimum: $73,308
Pay Range Maximum: $90,000

Employment Type: Full-Time Temporary
Employment Category: Exempt
Visa Sponsorship Available: Yes
Schedule:
Pay Grade: No Grade

Posting Description

POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE, MIT Climate Project, to advance interdisciplinary research and innovation addressing urgent energy and climate challenges. Will identify emerging scientific and technological opportunities, assess technical feasibility and potential impact, and collaborate with MIT faculty and staff to shape research priorities, programs, and strategies. Responsibilities include conducting technical assessments, evaluating research proposals, identifying pathways to technology demonstration and adoption, and engaging researchers, industry, government, and other stakeholders to advance climate solutions. Initial areas of focus include extreme heat resilience and green steel production. Will prepare technical briefs, research roadmaps, and recommendations and contribute to workshops and collaborative initiatives. The position emphasizes scientific and technical strategy rather than laboratory research. The postdoctoral associate will be considered an Energy and Climate Fellow.

The full job description is available, here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZPrTKIADqweTtQ2cz7WWZ8CY4u68kg75/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110716311861814000406&rtpof=true&sd=true

Job Requirements

REQUIRED: PhD in science, engineering, or a related field; demonstrated ability to conduct rigorous, independent analysis; excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to initiate and lead interdisciplinary projects; strong commitment to addressing climate change; and an entrepreneurial mindset, including initiative, ownership, and ability to navigate ambiguity. PREFERRED: Experience at the intersection of research, innovation, and commercialization; familiarity with energy, climate, or sustainability; and expertise in thermal sciences, cooling technologies, building systems, metallurgy, green steel production, or related fields.

This is a one-year appointment, renewable for a second year, based on performance, research priorities and funding.

As part of the application, include a cover letter outlining your interest in the MIT Climate Project and include a response to this (500-word-max): Drawing on your expertise, identify an important but underexplored scientific or technological opportunity in energy or climate. Why does it matter, and how would you assess its technical promise and pathway to real-world impact? Briefly describe the analyses you would undertake and the disciplines or partners you would engage.

10/15/2026