Institute

World Resources Institute (WRI) is looking for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning experts  who are interested in real-world applications of AI/ML techniques to global sustainability  challenges.

What?

WRI has a growing portfolio of projects experimenting with the application of AI/ML to real-world  sustainability challenges, spanning a wide range of application domains, data types and sources, and AI/ML techniques. Topics of active research include:

•    Mapping global climate mitigation potential from restoring tree cover

•    Predicting future deforestation in the Congo Basin

•    Expanding access to real-time air quality data using satellites

•    Estimating power plants' CO2  emissions, water consumption, and electricity generation

•     Measuring urban environments over time, from physical reflectivity of roofs, to the 

distribution of green spaces in urban settings, to land use & land cover

•    Evaluating which government policies address climate mitigation or adaptation questions.

AI/ML techniques used in these projects include Natural Language Processing, Neural Networks, K-Nearest Neighbor, Boosted Decision Tree regressions, amongst others.

These and other WRI projects are looking for experts in the AI/ML field willing to join their teams in an advisory capacity. Experts will provide strategic guidance and practical implementation experience. This will require 1-3 hours per week, working mostly remotely. Strong applicants would  include doctoral candidates and post-doctoral staff in the field of AI/ML. The ability to occasionally visit the WRI office in Washington DC is a plus.

Why?

Experts will be able to engage closely with one or more applied research projects deploying AI/ML  at the intersection of the environment and human well-being. They will have the chance to interact with dedicated staff and to foster the spread of AI/ML beyond academia. Experts will receive  financial compensation for their time. Other potential opportunities include co-authoring published papers with WRI staff and  collaborating with WRI to grow seed work into scalable initiatives.

About WRI

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. 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. 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.  

Interested?

Please contact Emilia Suarez at Emilia.Su  rez@wri.org with a copy of your resume and a note outlining your interest.