The Global Development and Environment Institute (GDAE), affiliated with Tufts University and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, is an interdisciplinary research institute dedicated to promoting a better understanding of how societies can pursue their economic and community goals in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner.

Position Description:

Professor William Moomaw is looking for two graduate student research assistants to help with a major project concerning the role of bioenergy in addressing climate change. There is considerable confusion and misunderstanding of the carbon dioxide and other emissions associated with burning trees and other plants for heat and electricity. In addition to climate related emissions, this study plans to assess the multiple ecosystem services lost when forests and forest lands are used as an energy resource. The project will also assess how soil loss from forests, grasslands and other ecosystems plays a role in climate change. The social justice dimensions and competition for food from the use of biofuels will also be evaluated.

Job duties will include:

  • Find and analyze bioenergy studies from researchers, IPCC, IEA, etc
  • Identify policies of governments and intergovernmental organizations such as the World Bank, Sustainable Energy 4 All, FAO and UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
  • Gather research on Sustainable Development Goals that relate to how bioenergy is used.
  • Gather and analyze data on national and international climate goals and obligations, and assess the likelihood of meeting these goals and obligations.

This work will inform a major international study for the UN that will begin early next year. There is an opportunity for the research assistants to co-author published research papers. These are paid positions with a time commitment of 10-15 hours per week through May 2017, with a possibility of extension. Start date is immediate.

Qualifications:

  • Graduate student
  • Organized, responsible, and detail oriented individual
  • Excellent writing skills and capacity to write fluently in English
  • Previous research experience in any of the following fields: Climate change policy, Renewable energy technology or policy, Forest or agricultural policy or ecology, Bioenergy technology or policy
Application Deadline: ASAP
Send a resume, cover letter, and references to gdae@tufts.edu. Please indicate if you have work-study status.