Climate Policy Data Scientist: Infill & Equity (Part-Time)

Acsp; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Part time

Job summary

The Design Lab at UC San Diego is seeking a part-time Assistant Project Scientist to lead research on the CARB project evaluating how infill development can reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions statewide.

Sitting at the intersection of land-use planning, transportation policy, environmental justice, and data science, this role turns complex data into actionable, climate-smart growth strategies.

Responsibilities

• Lead research on CARB project evaluating infill development and its impact on VMT and GHG statewide.
• Perform quantitative and spatial analysis using R or Python on microdata, zoning, and transportation networks.
• Synthesize literature across urban economics, environmental science, and transit policy into policy briefs.
• Operationalize equity metrics to account for housing affordability, gentrification and displacement risks in infill planning.

Job description

The Design Lab at UC San Diego is seeking a part-time Assistant Project Scientist to lead research on the CARB project evaluating how infill development can reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions statewide.

Sitting at the intersection of land-use planning, transportation policy, environmental justice, and data science, this role turns complex data into actionable, climate-smart growth strategies.