We are seeking two motivated Research Assistants to join the Yao Lab at the Center for Industrial Ecology (https://yao.research.yale.edu/). These positions offer an exciting opportunity to work on two cutting-edge research projects focused on waste valorization within the Yao Lab.

• Sustainable Supply Chains for Graphite Production: This project aims to develop sustainable supply chains for producing graphite, a critical mineral used in electric vehicle batteries, from waste materials.
• Decarbonizing the Municipal Solid Waste Industries: This project focuses on reducing GHG emissions by converting municipal solid waste (e.g., waste plastics, food waste) into renewable fuels such as sustainable aviation fuels and other value-added products.

Both projects will involve conducting life cycle assessments (LCA), techno-economic analyses (TEA), and regional or economy-wide carbon modeling and accounting.

Additionally, Research Assistants will have the opportunity to contribute to the Sustainable AI Project, which aims to decarbonize the IT industry using industrial ecology approaches.

Key Responsibilities:
• Collecting and cleaning data from LCA and TEA literature as well as corporate sustainability reports
• Performing data and LCA/TEA model harmonization
• Drafting data documentation reports
• Assisting in data visualization and optimization-based decarbonization model development