Postdoctoral Scholar in Data Center Sustainability Modeling and Data Science

Through the UCSB Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, the Industrial Sustainability Analysis Laboratory is seeking a postdoctoral scholar with a primary focus on systems energy, emissions, and technology analysis and modeling of data centers at different temporal and spatial scales.

The position will support development of open-source simulation models that quantify the direct energy use, water use, and emissions of different types of data centers and the indirect (i.e., upstream and downstream) sustainability impacts associated with data center information technology (IT) equipment and building infrastructure. This research will further explore operational, technology, and policy interventions for reducing sustainability and community impacts over different temporal and spatial scales and forward-looking scenarios under different sets of conditions. These analyses will also support and improve physics-based models for quantifying the energy-water nexus of data centers under different climate, cooling technology, and operating conditions.

The position will also support the generation and online dissemination of novel datasets, modeling code, and maps that can be used by researchers and policymakers to assess different sustainability impacts and improvement options for data centers.

Qualified applicants must have experience with energy systems analysis and modeling, ideally using bottom-up and technology-rich perspectives, and ideally with applications to data centers, IT systems, and/or computing equipment. Ideally, qualified applicants will also have experience with and/or strong interest in macro-energy systems modeling (e.g., integrated assessment modeling or energy systems modeling), thermodynamic modeling of heat removal systems, life-cycle assessment (LCA) models and datasets, and working with energy, emissions, industry, and market statistics.

The postdoctoral scholar will be supervised by Professor Eric Masanet. This position will be recruited through the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at UCSB.

The University is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research, teaching, and service as appropriate to the position.

Ph.D. in electrical engineering, computer science, energy systems engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related engineering or natural sciences field (or equivalent international degree), OR be enrolled in a relevant PhD program at the time of application.

Ph.D. in electrical engineering, computer science, energy systems engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related engineering or natural sciences field (or equivalent international degree) at the time of appointment.

-Strong expertise and experience with energy systems analysis and modeling, ideally from bottom-up and technology rich perspectives.

-Familiarity with data center IT equipment, cooling systems, and industry trends.

-Familiarity with data center computing equipment types and functions, including AI accelerated servers and their applications.

-Familiarity and experience with major sources of U.S. national and international statistics on electricity grid compositions and emissions, local climate data, and local water data (e.g., U.S. EIA electric power data; U.S. EPA eGRID data; IEA energy statistics).

-Experience with spatial data analysis and related software platforms (e.g., ArcGIS).

-Experience conducting uncertainty and sensitivity analyses using process systems models via statistical plug-in packages or via coding.

-Strong experience in model programming, e.g., via Python or R.

-Experience working with APIs for online data acquisition and maintenance.

-Familiarity with life-cycle assessment (LCA) datasets, fuel-cycle environmental datasets, and U.S. spatial datasets of environmental and social justice indicators.

-Proven record of independently leading research projects, publishing journal articles and presenting at conferences.

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Letters will be requested only if the candidate is invited to interview.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20. For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.