Academic positions for Climate Systems Engineering

Academic Positions

The University is building a world-leading Climate Systems Engineering initiative with multiple faculty hires addressing solar geoengineering, open-system carbon removal such as enhanced weathering, and interventions to limit loss of glacial ice. We seek individuals who will lead research programs that will produce significant contributions to their field and to this research initiative.

Faculty Jobs

CSEi is recruiting for targeted searches in partnership with specific academic units as well as for university wide searches that are open to scholars from all relevant disciplines including the physical and biological sciences, social sciences, engineering, and humanities. There are two targeted searches posted and we expect to add more. If you don’t see a targeted search in your field, reach out to a UChicago colleague in your discipline to express your interest in a position joint with CSEi.

University wide search
Applications are welcome from all relevant academic disciplines including the physical and biological sciences, social sciences, engineering, and humanities. For university wide searches, applications are welcome from scholars who have not previously worked on climate systems engineering and from scholars who focus on the physical or social risks of open-system carbon removal, solar geoengineering, and interventions to prevent glacial melting.

Appointments will be made in an appropriate primary department based on field, with secondary appointment(s) in another unit possible. Descriptions of each position and instructions for applying can be found by clicking on the appropriate link.

We are now accepting applications for Assistant /Associate/Full Professor from applicants in any field. Descriptions of each position and instructions for applying can be found by clicking on the appropriate link.

Experimental Aspects of Climate Systems Engineering, Environmental Geoscience, Department of Geophysical Sciences
The Department of the Geophysical Sciences is now accepting applications for Assistant/Associate/Full Professor in Experimental aspects of Climate Systems Engineering environmental geoscience. Descriptions of each position and instructions for applying can be found by clicking on the appropriate link.

Faculty (Open Rank) – Techno Economic Analysis/Life Cycle Assessment for Energy & Climate Engineering Technologies, Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) invites applications for multiple faculty positions (tenure-track assistant professor or tenured associate or full professor) at the intersection of technoeconomic analysis (TEA), life cycle analysis (LCA), and emerging energy and climate engineering technologies (TEA/LCA Energy and Climate Engineering Technologies). Tenure lines will be housed within the PME and successful candidates will be expected to affiliate with the UChicago Climate Systems Engineering Initiative (CSEi).

Senior Instructional Professor (Open Rank) – Climate and Sustainable Growth
The University of Chicago’s Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth invites applications for Senior Instructional Professor (open rank) to manage the new suite of undergraduate and master’s degree programs based on the Institute’s Chicago Curriculum on Climate and Sustainable Growth.

CSEi Research Positions

The CSEi is recruiting scholars to engage in translational research that impacts the development and governance of climate engineering technologies in the public interest. Under the guidance of the Research Director and Oversight Committee with at least one other member of the CSEi Executive Committee, appointments will be made in the Department of the Geophysical Sciences.

Research Scientist, AI for Climate
AI for Climate (AICE) and Climate Extremes Theory and Data (CeTD) group invite applications for the position of Research Scientist to work with Prof. Pedram Hassanzadeh on advancing AI weather forecasting across scales, from short- and medium-range to subseasonal-to-seasonal (S2S) predictions.

Research Scientist, Climate Systems Engineering initiative (CSEi)
The Department of Geophysical Sciences at the University of Chicago invites applications for the position of Research Scientist, working in the Climate Systems Engineering initiative (CSEi) with Professor B. B. Cael. The primary responsibilities for this position include (1) developing genome-scale metabolic models of marine microbes embedded within biogeochemical global circulation models; (2) developing reinforcement learning approaches to modeling the dynamics of marine microbial metabolism and physiology; and (3) evaluating the sensitivity of the marine carbon cycle to changes in microbial processes associated with Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement and Ocean Acidification.

Postdoctoral Researchers

CSEi recruits for postdoctoral scholars working on specific projects with leading faculty and for an annual Postdoctoral Researchers Program that will hire a cohort of researchers from across disciplines.

CSEi Research Fellows

The application window for the 2026-2028 cohort of CSEi Research Fellows (also known as CSEi Postdoctoral Researchers at the Rank of Research Associate) is now open through November 18, 2025 at 11:59 pm ET.

Openings for Postdoctoral Scholars working with faculty on specific projects are listed below.

Postdoctoral Scholars

For other postdoc opportunities in the geophysical sciences, see the Department of Geophysical Sciences job opportunities page.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-3988 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.