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

Carnegie-Mellon-University; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Tuition benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to advance research on industrial innovation, regional energy transformation, and entrepreneurship within the RETI Consortium.

The role emphasizes building datasets, applying econometric methods, collaborating with CMU faculty and regional partners, and contributing to policy-relevant reports. You will publish in peer-reviewed venues and mentor graduate students.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. by the appointment start date in engineering, public policy, economics, management, or related field.
• Strong interdisciplinary, empirical, or quantitative research track record.
• Experience with econometrics, quantitative analysis, OR, regional economics, or energy systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead original research on entrepreneurship, industrial innovation, and regional economic development.
• Build and analyze datasets on firms, startups, investment, employment, and energy systems.
• Apply empirical strategies to study business formation, growth, and technology adoption.
• Combine quantitative analysis with interviews and engagement with regional stakeholders.
• Publish in peer-reviewed venues and translate findings into policy-relevant materials.

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Python

R

Stata

Econometrics

Interdisciplinary research

Data visualization

Education

Ph.D. in engineering, public policy, economics, or related field

Tools

Python

R

Stata

Job description

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. If you’re passionate about joining a community that challenges the curious to deliver work that matters, your journey starts here! 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. We educate technically skilled students to be leaders in policy-focused research; we work on policy problems in which the technology matters. The Laboratory for Energy and Organizations (LEO) at Carnegie Mellon University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to conduct research on industrial innovation, entrepreneurship, and regional energy and economic transformation. The position will be based in Carnegie Mellon’s Department of Engineering and Public Policy (EPP) and will contribute to the Industrial Futures Project at the Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation and CMU’s participation in the Resilient Energy Technology and Infrastructure (RETI) Consortium. The postdoctoral researcher will work primarily with Professor Valerie Karplus and interact with other faculty, researchers, and students at Carnegie Mellon, as well as collaborators across the RETI Consortium. The position offers an opportunity to conduct interdisciplinary, policy-relevant research at the intersection of technological innovation, entrepreneurship, industrial transformation, and energy systems. Research Focus: A central focus of the position will be developing an evidence base, and analysis of the drivers of new business success and technology and energy systems change in western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia have long been important centers of U.S. energy and industrial activity and are now experiencing significant changes in energy technologies, infrastructure, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship. The RETI Consortium brings together Carnegie Mellon, West Virginia University, the University of Pittsburgh, and a broad network of industry, government, workforce, community, and other partners to strengthen the region’s energy innovation ecosystem. The postdoctoral researcher will help develop a rigorous empirical understanding of this transformation. Research questions may include: What factors influence the formation, survival, growth, and location of new energy and industrial technology businesses? What characteristics of regional innovation ecosystems support successful commercialization and scaling of new technologies? How do access to capital, technical talent, research institutions, industrial capabilities, infrastructure, supply chains, and public policy affect new business success? How are changes in energy systems, infrastructure, and emerging technologies reshaping opportunities for industrial development? How do new energy and industrial investments affect firms, workers, communities, and regional economic development? How can the experience of western Pennsylvania and West Virginia inform broader understanding of place-based innovation and industrial and energy transitions? The successful candidate will have considerable opportunity to refine these questions and develop complementary research consistent with their interests and expertise.

Core Responsibilities

• Develop and lead original research on entrepreneurship, industrial innovation, regional economic development, and energy-system transformation in western Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
• Build and analyze datasets characterizing firms, startups, investment, technology development and commercialization, employment and workforce trends, industrial activity, and regional energy systems.
• Develop empirical strategies for analyzing business formation, survival and growth, technology adoption, investment, and other outcomes relevant to regional economic transformation.
• Integrate quantitative analysis with interviews, case studies, and engagement with firms and regional stakeholders where appropriate.
• Collaborate with researchers across Carnegie Mellon and the RETI Consortium and contribute to a shared evidence base on the region’s energy and innovation ecosystem.
• Prepare research for peer-reviewed publication and presentation at academic conferences and workshops, and translate findings into policy-relevant reports, presentations, data visualizations, and other materials.
• Participate in meetings, site visits, workshops, and engagement with companies, entrepreneurs, investors, government agencies, community organizations, and other regional partners.
• Contribute to the intellectual community of the Laboratory for Energy and Organizations and collaborate with or mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers where appropriate.
• Other duties as assigned.

Adaptability, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University. We are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

Qualifications

• Applicants must have a Ph.D. by the time the appointment begins in engineering, public policy, economics, management, operations research, energy systems, or a related field.
• A strong record of interdisciplinary, empirical, or quantitative research relevant to the position.
• Experience with one or more approaches such as econometrics, quantitative empirical analysis, operations research, regional economic analysis, techno-economic analysis, energy-systems analysis, or related methods.
• Strong data-analysis and programming skills using Python, R, Stata, or comparable software.
• Ability to develop research questions and execute research projects with a high degree of independence.
• Strong written and oral communication skills and an interest in peer-reviewed publication and engagement with interdisciplinary and nonacademic partners.
• A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant experience may include research on entrepreneurship, innovation, firm dynamics, technology commercialization, industrial organization and development, energy economics and systems, regional economics, economic geography, labor markets, or place-based economic development.
• Additional relevant experience may include: Analysis of firm-, establishment-, startup-, investment-, patent-, labor-market-, or energy-related datasets.
• Causal inference, spatial or network analysis, qualitative interviews, surveys, or mixed-methods research.
• Experience working with industry, government, economic-development organizations, entrepreneurs, or other nonacademic stakeholders.
• Candidates are not expected to have expertise in all of these areas.
• We particularly encourage applications from researchers interested in combining methods and perspectives across traditional disciplinary boundaries.

Benefits

• Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions.
• Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance.
• Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!

Location Pittsburgh, PA

Job Function Pre/Post-Doctoral Associates & Fellows Position Type Postdoctoral Associate / Fellow (Fixed Term) Full Time/Part time Full time Pay Basis Salary

We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.

Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran. We are committed to providing an accessible experience throughout our recruitment process. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the application, interview, or hiring process, please contact Equal Opportunity Services by email at [e-mail] or by phone at 412-268-5072.

For technical assistance, email HR Services or call 412-268-4600.

Prospective Employee Disclosures

We are committed to providing an accessible experience throughout our recruitment process. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the application, interview, or hiring process, please contact Equal Opportunity Services by email at [e-mail] or by phone at 412-268-5072.