Jobs

The Design Out Waste Student Researcher will work with the MIT Office of Sustainability (MITOS) and partner offices to support MIT’s Waste Impact Goal to reduce MIT’s trash by 30% by 2030. The primary focus of this role will be to lead the growth of food waste reduction and diversion in residence halls. Additional priorities may include working on projects to design out waste from operations and procurement activities, expand food waste collection systems, eliminate MIT’s use and reliance on single-use products, and operationalize reuse strategies.  This role will be a member of the spring student cohort, but will focus 100% on waste projects. 

This Researcher will be directly involved in leading a team of Dorm Leads, a new focused undergraduate position blending the responsibilities of Food Waste Fighters and Waste Watchers, to champion food waste separation programs in residence halls. 
Building upon MIT’s materials management initiative, current pilot activities, and peer University efforts, this Researcher will collaborate with Housing, MIT Dining,  the Office of Recycling and Materials Management, and dorm leadership to help test and refine actionable strategies and tools to meet our Waste Impact Goals.  
Key outcomes will be: 

• Leadership and coordination of Dorm Leads

• Increased use of the Responsible Waste Sorting training and the Waste Wizard

• Aid in the planning and implementation of Dorm Lead led engagement events

• Manage the website to reflect current conditions: https://sites.mit.edu/foodwaste/

• Synthesis and communication of key data-driven findings and lessons learned that can inform campus-wide scale-ability of peer-to-peer waste reduction strategies 

• Identification of opportunities for improved design and implementation of campus waste management approaches 
  Documenting outcomes in briefs or presentation slides

Duties will include: 

• Planning for the implementation of an expanded and improved dormitory food waste collection system 

• Collecting and collating metrics of success  to monitor and evaluate performance and motivate peers

• Collaborate with Dorm Con Dining Chairs and MIT Dining as needed

• Facilitate relationship-building between House Managers and Dorm Leads as needed

• Holding regular meetings with the Dorm Leads in conjunction with the student Admins

• Manage shared resources on Google Drive

Details:
Location: MIT Office of Sustainability
Duration: Spring semester (February to May)
Pay: $17-$20/hour (depending on skills and experience)
Hours: 10 hours per week

To Apply: Fill in this form including a resume and a cover letter.  

As a student researcher, you may be involved in a variety of projects based on your skills and interests, including:

• Develop and review code for sustainability data dashboards.
• Automate data processes for sustainability reporting.
• Support dorm food waste collection and analyze data (see detailed description below).
• Research single-use plastic consumption and propose reduction strategies.
• Communicate MIT’s climate action initiatives to the campus community.
• Develop plan to integrate Menus of Change principles for sustainable eating and climate-friendly options into MIT food system
• Map sustainability features and infrastructure on campus.
• Assist with the Zero Waste certification for academic departments.
• Identify ways that MIT’s purchasing decisions can invest in more sustainable products 

MITOS Student Sustainability Researcher

Cohort Experience

Student schedules will vary, so we are committed to providing opportunities for the cohort to connect, collaborate, build a sense of community, and gain a well-rounded experience. Key elements include:

• Weekly Meetups: Regular in-person meetups at the Office of Sustainability to share progress, discuss challenges, and connect with peers and mentors.
• Sustainability Leadership Workshop: A workshop designed to develop your leadership skills in sustainability, offering a chance to learn and network with fellow students.
• Mid-Semester Hackathon: An exciting event focused on solving a sustainability challenge at MIT, designed to bring the cohort together for teamwork and innovation.
• Shared Online Workspace: A dedicated Slack workspace to facilitate communication, resource sharing, and collaboration among cohort members.
• Project Showcase: An end-of-semester event where you’ll present your work and celebrate the cohort’s achievements.
• Reflection Sessions: Structured sessions to reflect on your learning, growth, and the impact of your projects, fostering deeper connections within the cohort.
• Comprehensive Skill Development: Gain experience across multiple sustainability domains and work with various project managers to build a well-rounded professional skill set.

Details

• Eligibility: undergraduate and graduate students. We recommend international students connect with MIT’s International Students Office to discuss eligibility before applying.
• Location: Cambridge, with in-person and hybrid work expected
• Schedule: Part Time: 10 hours of project work per week, February to May
• Pay: $17-$20/hour, depending on experience
• 2 positions available: students will be matched with campus sustainability projects to work on with Office of Sustainability staff. I 

Qualifications

• Strong interest in sustainability issues, particularly urban and campus sustainability.
• Commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in climate and sustainability work.
• Ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures/backgrounds and serve the needs of diverse populations
• Excellent written, visual, and oral communication skills, with the ability to present complex data clearly.
• Proficiency in quantitative data collection, management, and analysis, including Excel.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Self-motivation and an eagerness to learn
• Experience in sustainability-related coursework within relevant MIT departments.
   

To apply

Available positions to apply to:

1. Sustainability Metrics Researcher - IAP only
2. Design out Waste Researcher - Spring semester
3. Two Sustainability Researcher spots available - Spring semester

Fill in this form including a resume and a cover letter.  

Send questions to mitosjobs@mit.edu.