Applications are welcomed and encouraged from all qualified individuals regardless of background and identity. To apply, please complete the application on the U-M Careers site. A one page cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline experience that is directly related to this position.

The Center for Sustainable Systems (CSS) is looking for a Research Specialist to conduct applied research, serving in a role that blends research and consulting. Reporting to the CSS Associate Director, you will bring expertise in lifecycle assessment, scenario planning/modeling, industrial ecology, or other systems analysis methods. Your main responsibilities include contributing to research proposals and grant writing, conducting literature reviews and data analysis, and writing reports and academic papers focused on sustainable systems. We are looking for consultation skills and comfort engaging directly with research partners and clients in industry, government, and other sectors, within CSS's program areas of energy, transportation/mobility, built environment, agro-food systems, water systems, and consumer goods.

Note: This position will be a one year, full-time, term limited appointment with the possibility of renewal.

The School for Environment and Sustainability (https://seas.umich.edu/) is a collaborative and interdisciplinary school. Our mission includes contributing to the protection of environmental resources and the achievement of a sustainable society. We accomplish this by generating and sharing knowledge, contributing to policy and engaging managers and stakeholders. The University of Michigan is a top-ranked public university with excellence in research and teaching.  Ann Arbor, home to the University of Michigan, is a town known for arts, culture, parks and restaurants. 

To learn more about SEAS and our values, please visit our website at https://seas.umich.edu/about/seas-values.

For more than 30 years, the Center for Sustainable Systems at the University of Michigan has pioneered systems science to accelerate real-world solutions for sustainability challenges across systems of energy, mobility, the built environment, food, water, and consumer goods. CSS researchers have published more than 1,000 scientific studies, many in collaboration with partners across industry, government, and communities. CSS's mission is to advance systems science for climate action and a sustainable society.

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

In collaboration with Principal Investigators and other project team members:

• Contribute to research proposals and grant writing
• Conduct literature review and background research
• Utilize systems analysis methods to perform quantitative research
• Contribute to writing of whitepapers, public-facing and client reports, and academic papers in the field of sustainable systems
• Engage with research partners and clients of CSS

• M.S. in sustainable systems, sustainable engineering, or similar field.
• 2+ years experience in life cycle assessment, scenario planning/modeling, industrial ecology, or other systems analysis methods.
• 2+ years research or consulting experience in one or more of the following fields: energy, transportation/mobility, buildings, agro-food systems, water systems, or consumer goods
• Experience using statistical / data analysis (e.g., R), LCA tools (e.g., SimaPro), and Advanced Excel (can perform complex functions)
• Experience working with business or other non-academic partners to conduct applied research

• PhD or dual MBA degree
• Some history of published academic research
• Experience writing research or grant proposals

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

This position may be eligible for remote and/or flexible work opportunities at the discretion of the hiring department. Flexible work agreements are reviewed annually and are subject to change dependent on the business needs of the hiring department, throughout the course of employment.

Salary will be determined based on experience.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

Applications will be reviewed as received throughout the posting period and continue until the position is filled.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.