The Global South Clean Transportation Center at the Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis is seeking a postdoctoral scholar with a PhD in Economics, Energy, Transportation, or related discipline. The researcher will pursue policy-focused research on emerging trends in EV battery value chains, critical mineral demand, global regulations such as the US IRA or the EU Critical Raw Materials Act, as well as its impact on developing countries. The researcher will also support the activities under the Council for Critical Minerals Development in the Global South, a joint initiative by UC Davis and its partners. The researcher should demonstrate strong quantitative research skills working with advanced econometric methods as well as experience with big datasets.

The position’s responsibilities include: (1) designing, overseeing, and conducting research using quantitative methods; (2) identifying funding opportunities; leading and contributing to proposals to apply to those opportunities; (3) supervising, and mentoring students and other team members working on research projects; (4) writing articles for refereed academic journals, technical reports, and/or for conferences; (5) presenting research to a variety of audiences (academia, industry professionals, policy practitioners, etc.). The role will involve some travel, both domestic and international.

Job Requirements

• Applicants must have a graduate degree in economics, energy, transportation, public policy or a related field. At least one of these degrees must be a Ph.D. and in a related field.
• A record of publications in peer-reviewed journals and other publication avenues, and some research and mentorship experience is required.
• The applicant must possess expertise and experience designing and conducting research; experience developing statistical models to analyze data collected by surveys or other methods.
• The applicant should be competent in the use of at least one of the following statistical software packages: SPSS, STATA, R, or JMP.
• The postdoctoral researcher must have excellent verbal and written English language communication skills.
• The postdoctoral researcher must be able to work collaboratively with a research team ranging from graduate research assistants to research faculty and international staff.

Application Requirements

Letters of Reference (2); Written Sample (1); Cover Letter; CV . Please submit your application to Nitya Chanana (nchanana@ucdavis.edu).

Salary Range

As per UC Davis Graduate School Guidelines (starting salary at $70,000).

The UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS-Davis) seeks to hire a researcher for the Sustainable Freight Research Program. This role requires a highly multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research and engineering background, focusing on integrating advanced modeling technologies in transportation, vehicles, and energy systems, modeling to optimize infrastructure, and to develop policies to promote and ensure the sustainability of low-carbon (especially electrified) transportation. The successful candidate will leverage their extensive expertise in data-driven modeling, economic and policy analysis of zero-emission vehicles, and intelligent digital solutions to lead innovative research projects. Topics will also cover market penetration of light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty ZEVs (BEVs, PHEVs, FCVs, etc.), battery/fuel cell/etc. performance and vehicle dynamics, vehicle cost analysis and prediction, and conducting large-scale simulations to assess the economic, environmental, and energy impacts of advanced electrified transportation systems. The positions responsibilities include developing, obtaining funding for, and executing research projects; producing reports and papers and establishing a strong track record of publications; guiding other researchers and graduate students in their research; creating and participating in group research projects; and presentations to and other involvement in various academic and policy fora and initiatives within and outside the state of California in order to network and establish a key role within research and policy circles.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Vehicle Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, with substantial (more than 2 years) postdoctoral experience.
• Extensive research and publication history in topics related to both technological advancements and economic analysis of energy and electrified transportation.
• Strong knowledge and research experience in both light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles and transportation.
• Extensive background in BEV (Battery Electric Vehicles), PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles), and FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicles) technologies and economics.
• Proven track record of developing and managing research programs related to energy (batteries, fuel cells, etc.), vehicle technologies, transportation systems, and infrastructure (charging stations/H2 refueling stations).
• Strong experience with statistical and simulation models, including the use of software such as MATLAB, Simulink, Python, spreadsheets, and other tools for large-scale data analysis.
• Proficiency in advanced analytics and modeling abilities, such as AI, machine learning, deep learning, big data, cloud technology, and digital twins, with a focus on applications in the energy and transportation sectors.
• Proven track record as a chief/senior engineer or similar role in a Fortune Global 500 company is preferable.
• Demonstrated ability to lead interdisciplinary teams and mentor junior researchers and students in a collaborative environment.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to disseminate research findings to both academic and policy-making audiences through publications, conferences, and direct engagement.
• Prior involvement in international projects and collaborations, demonstrating the ability to work effectively across different cultural and organizational contexts.

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Job Description

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) will provide leadership, management, and operational support to a cluster of research units including the Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS), the Energy and Efficiency Institute (EEI), and the Air Quality Research Center (AQRC). collectively referred to as the Transportation and Energy Cluster”. Under the direction of the Transportation and Energy Cluster Academic Directors, the CAO will manage the daily operations and overall administration for a number of units, initiatives, research programs and centers receiving support through an Office of Research administrative services cluster. Provide leadership for planning and management of financial and business operations. Oversee and manage contracts and grant activities, gift administration, recharge rate development, state and federal funds, staff and academic personnel, student affairs, information technology, research and teaching support, safety and liability, space use and facility maintenance, administrative policy and procedures, development, and outreach and public relations.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree (in a relevant discipline such as finance, accounting or business administration) or equivalent work experience.
2. Five years or more of increasingly responsible business management experience to oversee a complex and diverse group of units and programs in the areas of strategic planning and analysis, budget and finance, human resources, space and facility requirements, information technology, and teaching/research laboratory needs.
3. Experience in complex financial planning and budget analysis in the areas of federal, state, and private sponsor funding, contract and grant administration, recharge rate development, and generally accepted accounting principles and practices.
4. Human resource experience to recruit, supervise, train, evaluate, motivate, resolve problems/conflicts, conduct performance management, discipline, and build effective service-oriented, team environment.
5. Experience analyzing, interpreting, and communicating policy and procedures in all areas pertinent to academic/research-related operations and programs or other business-related operations.
6. Experience using interpersonal, oral and written communicate skills to share information with all levels of personnel and with diverse populations within the Unit, campus, and outside agencies.
7. Demonstrated advanced skills using Excel and other Microsoft Office products (Word, PowerPoint, etc.) or other automation tools to perform complex spreadsheet analyses, formulate and prepare complex reports, and prepare sophisticated presentations.
8. Strategic planning, analytical and program evaluation skills to continually examine systems, provide sound recommendations, and develop or revise current situations.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience in leading business-process improvement, organizational-change initiatives, and information-systems implementations.
2. Experience in analyzing complex information and problems in an objective manner. Provide recommendations and alternatives to help inform the decision-making process, establish priorities, select appropriate course of action, and resolve conflicts.
3. Experience with the development of organizational structures, delegating, developing policies and procedures and implementation.
4. Experience implementing the principles of performance management, multiculturalism and diversity, coaching skills to enhance staff contributions to department mission.
5. Possess business and leadership savvy and demonstrates the ability to collaborate.
6. Leads in a responsible, value-driven, high-quality and cost-effective manner.
7. Displays accuracy and attention to details; highly organized.
8. Skills, knowledge, and experience in the principles and practices of business management to effectively and ethically manage and oversee complex operations in the areas of space and facility requirements, information technology, and teaching/research laboratory needs.

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