Air Quality Science Co-Investigator
Program Overview
Clean Air Catalyst (CAC) is a new flagship program launched by The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and a global consortium of organizations, led by World Resources Institute (WRI) to accelerate clean air solutions in low and middle income countries. Clean Air Catalyst will work with communities around the world to identify and raise awareness of local pollution sources, and build focused coalitions to deliver interventions that lead to sustained progress on cleaner, healthier air.
Through this new program, USAID will build capacity for tailored solutions that cut air pollution and improve human health in cities in developing countries. The primary sources of air pollution vary from city to city, but most cities in the developing world lack information on primary and secondary drivers of air pollution. Communities must first have a clear understanding of the main drivers of pollution in their region in order to develop effective pollution mitigation policies and strategies.
Clean Air Catalyst seeks to change this dynamic by making the causes of pollution more visible and personal by building a vivid, shared understanding of the pathway to clean air. Our scientists and epidemiologists work with local scientists, business and government leaders to resolve key uncertainties about what is causing air pollution. We engage with communities to build trust in the results and raise awareness of what effective clean air action looks like. We delve into the root causes of these emissions to develop creative ways to manage pollution. We convene and support local coalitions – working with policy, business and community collaborators – to initiate and sustain these interventions.
Position Overview
The Clean Air Catalyst, a new global program launched by World Resources Institute, Vital Strategies, and other partners with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) seeks a part-time scientific collaborator to be a co-investigator in building actionable awareness of air pollution sources in Jakarta. The work is part of a 5 year global program in which Jakarta is one of three pilot sites.
The selected co-investigator will be awarded a research grant in the range of 350-700 million IDR (~ $25,000 - $50,000 USD) for his or her participation in the project over approximately two years, with a potential extension for continued data collection and analysis or for participation in other project activities. The program has additional funds for purchase and deployment of monitoring equipment among other data collection activities.
Scope of Work
The Jakarta Air Quality Science Co-Investigator will collaborate with the CAC consortium’s global science partners, including Columbia University, the MAP-AQ network of atmospheric scientists, Environmental Defense Fund, Vital Strategies, and the WRI team to co-create the design of a research plan for the Jakarta pilot and oversee its implementation. The plan will consist of ambient pollution monitoring and analysis, collection of activity and emissions data from key sources, and air quality modeling in support of the CAC’s pilot project’s objective of improving awareness about the air quality impacts of specific sources.
Key Responsibilities:
- Collaborate closely with CAC partners (Jakarta-based staff, global experts, local partners/communities and researchers) in the development of pilot design and high-quality research.
- Advise project’s science module, including air quality monitoring (collection of data through regulatory grade and low-cost instruments), and overseeing air quality data analysis, source apportionment, and/or improving emission inventories
- Advise the source awareness activities in Jakarta
- Advise on root cause analysis of air pollutant emissions from specific sources
- Coordinate technical reports and scientific manuscripts on study results
- Supervise the work of a post-doctoral researcher based in Jakarta
- Present findings to local partners and stakeholders to build source awareness
Deliverables
- Successful design and implementation of air quality of research
- Technical reports and/or manuscripts on study results
- Successful engagements with key air quality stakeholders
Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science/Environmental Engineering/Civil Engineering/Aerosol Science or a related quantitative field is preferred
- Candidates can receive award as an individual or through an institution.
- Experience in research involving air pollution measurement, air quality modeling, or emissions inventories
- Publication record demonstrating relevant experience
- Experience connecting scientific research to real-world policy
- Desire to work on a collaborative, applied research initiative with teams involving diverse organizations, practice areas, and disciplines
- Knowledge of AQ landscape in the Jakarta region desired
- Willingness to travel frequently to Jakarta for project activities; day-to-day work does not require a permanent presence in Jakarta, although proximity is desirable.
- Preference for early- and mid-career scientists
Period of Work
Successful candidate will be appointed on a 2-year, 20-40% part-time contract, with a possible extension.
Selection process requirement
- Interested candidates should submit a letter of no longer than 500 words expressing interest in being considered, along with a CV.
- Three to five candidates will be selected from among those expressing interest in the role and invited for a panel interview in April 2021.
- Last date to apply: 7 April 2021
Must have authorization to work in Indonesia to be eligible for this position.
Qualified applicants should apply online through WRI career portal in order to be formally considered.
Application close: 1700 (Jakarta Time), 7 April 2021.We will close the advert earlier when the best candidates are identified at earlier dates.
WRIOverview
World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade in order to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. We are passionate. We value our diversity of interests, skills and backgrounds. We have a flexible work environment. And we share a common goal to catalyze change that will improve the lives of people. Our shared ideals are at the core of our approach. They include: integrity, innovation, urgency, independence and respect. The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges, and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.
We have been growing rapidly: our staff has doubled in size over the past 5 years and our operating budget is now $100 million. Founded in 1982, WRI has a global staff of 800+ people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.
WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices.
WRI Indonesia is national entity (Yayasan) associated with the World Resources Institute (WRI), a global environmental research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. WRI work with various stakeholders in the natural resources sector to support policy and management that are both profitable and sustainable. WRI work with leaders in more than 50 countries for more than 30 years, with offices in Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and the United States.
Launched in early 2014, WRI Indonesia builds on WRI’s 10-year history in the country and strengthens our impact on the ground. In the short-to-medium term, WRI Indonesia aims to expand its presence and portfolio to include projects in the climate, energy, as well as city and transportation programs.
The World Resources Institute (http://www.wri.org) is an environmental and development research and policy organization that creates solutions to protect the Earth and improve people’s lives. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is WRI’s policy to recruit, hire, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, parental status, protected veteran status, or disability. WRI’s global agenda requires a staff that is diverse – with respect to race, gender, cultural, and international background. Diverse perspectives and experience enhance the way WRI selects and approaches issues, as well as the creativity and applicability of WRI's policy research and analysis. WRI, therefore, encourages applications from U.S. minorities, persons from other countries (especially developing nations), and from women of all backgrounds.