Postdoctoral Associate, Institute for Global Sustainability

Position Type: Full-Time/Regular

Position Overview

The Boston University Institute for Global Sustainability (BU-IGS), in close collaboration with Schneider Electric's Sustainability Research Institute, invites applications for a prestigious two-year postdoctoral research fellowship. The focus is on advancing our understanding of the socio-technical barriers, risks, and drivers necessary to accelerate the electrification of the economy and explore the benefits, barriers, and risks to electrical infrastructure. This position offers the opportunity to conduct impactful research at the intersection of energy transitions, social science, and energy and climate policy with direct relevance to the rapid global shift toward electrification.

The fellow will investigate the operational, regulatory, social, and economic challenges facing the emergence of the 'Electrostate': a deeply electrified society requiring robust transmission, distribution, interconnection, and distributed energy resource networks. The research will specifically target under-studied, and high-impact sectors which represent a substantial share of future electricity demand, emissions reductions, and unique cross-sectoral barriers.

Research Vision

The research project will involve three interconnected phases over two years. Phase 1 will begin with (a) systematic literature reviews mapping different aspects of electrification including technical readiness, growth trajectories, emissions profiles, and existing barrier/driver/risk scholarship. This phase has the potential to yield a comparative taxonomy distinguishing cross-cutting challenges from sector-specific ones, culminating in a conceptual framework to guide subsequent empirical work with attention to utilities.

The second phase will focus on (b) stakeholder engagement through semi-structured interviews with critical actors in selected sectors, informed by the systematic literature reviews. Thematic analysis will capture how different stakeholders perceive barriers and risks, revealing both points of alignment and tension while mapping influence networks to identify strategic intervention opportunities.

The third phase employs (c) technology foresight methods and futures thinking with malleability to the interest and expertise of the candidate. We aim to utilize some combination of expert workshops or public focus groups to explore how emerging trends, and disruptive technologies might reshape visions of the future concerning electrification pathways. Comparing expert and public visions could illuminate democratic tensions in energy governance and inform practical engagement strategies.

Key Objectives

• Compile a database of electrification stakeholders for expert interviews, illustrating influence networks and typologies across key sectors
• Offer a systematic comparison of barriers, drivers, and risks in three 'next frontier' sectors for electrification
• Advance theory (and potentially methodology) for studying socio-technical transitions in multi-stakeholder systems, with a focus on practical intervention points
• Create actionable frameworks for stakeholder engagement and public communication in high-stakes energy infrastructure contexts
• Develop dynamic foresight on disruptive and converging trends in electrification adoption and capture emergent visions of futures

Required Skills

A completed PhD (or completion at appointment) in a relevant social science or interdisciplinary field (e.g., sociology, political science, public policy, geography, environmental studies, STS, or sustainability science).

• Demonstrated expertise in qualitative research (systematic reviews, interviews, stakeholder analysis, and software such as NVivo/Atlas.ti).
• Deep familiarity with socio-technical systems, sustainability transitions, or energy infrastructure governance.
• Strong research and academic writing track record with publications reflecting interdisciplinary rigor.

Preferred Qualifications

• Mixed-methods expertise (including surveys, Q-methodology, and foresight/horizon scanning).
• Topical knowledge or experience within a focus sectors (aviation, shipping, data centers), grid/infrastructure, DER, or industrial decarbonization.
• Background in stakeholder engagement design, facilitation, or participatory workshops.
• Understanding of energy systems models or technical aspects of electrification (for effective boundary-spanning with engineering disciplines).
• Experience with comparative or international research, ideally including North America and select global cases.

To apply:

Please email the following materials bundled as PDF attachments to Prof. Benjamin Sovacool at sovacool@bu.edu:

1. Cover letter articulating qualifications and motivation
2. CV detailing academic background, relevant research methods expertise, publications, and presentations
3. Optional at this time in the application: sample of writing demonstrating research capabilities
4. Optional at this time in the application: letters of recommendation

Applications will be reviewed on February 27, 2026, then on a rolling basis if needed until March 27, 2026.

What This Fellowship Offers:

• Research Leadership: Ownership of a high-visibility project with leading academic and industry partners.
• Professional Development: Access to BU and Schneider training, mentorship, networks, and funding for conferences/publications.
• Community: Deep engagement with Boston/Cambridge's sustainability research community.
• Career Support: Guidance for both academic/postdoc and non-academic next steps.
• Impact: Chance to deliver insights driving actual public policy and industry practice in sectors at the heart of the energy transition.
• Compensation: Competitive salary commensurate with experience ranging from $67,500-$70,000 USD per year; generous benefits package including healthcare options