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

Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Bus pass provided (Pittsburgh region)

Tuition benefits

Paid time off

Life & AD&D insurance

Fitness center access

Job summary

Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh is seeking a Predoctoral Research Associate to study global supply chains for critical materials and clean energy technologies, with a focus on rare earth elements and permanent magnets. The role involves building models, data work, and collaboration with CMU faculty and external partners.

The appointment is in the Department of Engineering and Public Policy (EPP) and supports the Industrial Futures Project, with an initial six-month term at 25–37.5 hours

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, economics, public policy, data science, operations research, environmental science, international affairs, or a related field.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
• Experience working with data using Python, R, Stata, or comparable software.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• An interest in energy, industrial transformation, global supply chains, international trade, or technological innovation.
• A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Develop models to guide analysis and data manipulation.
• May use statistical packages or mathematical concepts to evaluate results.
• Document results.
• May present results to research team or other partners.
• May recommend additional research projects based on findings.
• Research, identify, and collect large-scale data sets or published works for research projects.
• Organize data and accurately replicate identified research.
• Work closely and collaboratively with faculty at CMU and other universities to write academic papers, present findings or other assigned projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Python

Excellent communication

Energy & policy interest

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree

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 technology matters. The Laboratory for Energy and Organizations (LEO) at Carnegie Mellon University invites applications for a Predoctoral Research Associate to conduct research on global supply chains for critical materials and clean energy technologies, with a particular focus on rare earth elements and permanent magnets. The position will be based in Carnegie Mellon’s Department of Engineering and Public Policy (EPP) and contribute to the Industrial Futures Project at the Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation, complementing the work of the Industrial Decarbonization Analysis, Benchmarking, and Action (INDABA) Partnership on industrial transformation and decarbonization, with a focus on metals and materials industries and electrification.

Research Focus:

The Predoctoral Research Associate will work with Professor Valerie Karplus and other faculty, researchers, and students at Carnegie Mellon and collaborating institutions. The position is designed for an early‑career researcher interested in developing substantial research experience at the intersection of global supply chains, clean energy, international trade, technological change, and public policy. Research will examine questions such as how rare earth supply chains are structured across countries, firms, and production stages; where important dependencies and concentrations arise; how clean energy deployment affects demand; and how technology, trade, industrial policy, and investment are changing these relationships. The researcher may also support background research, analysis, and report writing for a separate project on sourcing clean electricity for global corporate supply chains as needed.

Core Responsibilities:

• Develop models to guide analysis and data manipulation.
• May use statistical packages or mathematical concepts to evaluate results.
• Document results.
• May present results to research team or other partners.
• May recommend additional research projects based on findings.
• Research, identify, and collect large-scale data sets or published works for research projects.
• Organize data and accurately replicate identified research.
• Work closely and collaboratively with faculty at CMU and other universities to write academic papers, present findings or other assigned projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, economics, public policy, data science, operations research, environmental science, international affairs, or a related field by the time the appointment begins.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
• Experience working with data using Python, R, Stata, or comparable software.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• An interest in energy, industrial transformation, global supply chains, international trade, or technological innovation.
• A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Details and Application

The position will be in‑person and based at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The earliest and preferred start date is October 1, 2026, with some flexibility in the start date for the successful candidate. The initial appointment will be for six months at 25-37.5 hours per week, with the possibility of renewal. Applications should be submitted by September 30, 2026 and will be reviewed as soon as they are received.

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

Part time

Pay Basis

Hourly

Equal Opportunity Statement

Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran. Statement of Assurance.