Research Assistant: Air Quality

at  Stockholm Environment Institute

WHO YOU ARE

We are looking for a colleague with strong analytical skills and a broad understanding air quality improvement efforts in major Latin American cities. While experience in Bogota, Colombia is preferred, it is not essential. You likely have a background in engineering or science and have previously worked with air quality data, understanding how sector-specific emissions are estimated using established methodologies. You are comfortable handling large volumes of time-series and spatial data and may have experience developing your own code to facilitate data management.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A passion for pursing a vision for a more sustainable future for our planet.
• An undergraduate degree in engineering, physical sciences or life sciences, with 1-3 years of professional experience, OR a related master’s degree with no professional experience.
• Training and/or experience in scientific research methodologies related to air quality.
• Experience linking air quality research to public policy in areas such as public health, decarbonization and urban planning.
• Experience working in research teams, writing research and policy analyses, and contributing to funding proposals (preferred).
• Fluency in both Spanish and English (written and spoken)at a high professional level. While Spanish is the primary language at SEI Latin America, strong English proficiency is essential for collaboration with international colleagues.
• Proficiency in another UN language (especially Portuguese) would be a plus.

• Identifying data and emission factors for key sectors, you will gather relevant data from secondary sources (e.g. city statistics) to estimate emissions using standard emission inventory methodologies. You will ensure high standards of data handling, including proper documentation of sources and data management/quality control procedures.
• Using emission inventory tools to estimate past and future emissions, you will input collected data into a Bogota emission inventory model within the Low Emission Analysis Platform (LEAP), with guidance from SEI York colleagues.
• Documenting the emission inventory, you will contribute to technical reports detailing the methods, data sources, assumptions and results of the analysis.
• Engaging with the Bogota Environmental Secretariat, you will prepare and deliver presentations on the findings, with the goal of building capacity within the Secretariat (a branch of the city government).