Climate Data Scientist
Climate Data Scientist: Model Climate Systems for a CleanTech Startup. A 4–8 weeks Intravarsity career experience (30–50 hours) for school and undergraduate s
You'll work remotely with a climate tech startup connected to our San Francisco campus Climate Lab (Floor 13). Using real NASA/NOAA datasets, you'll build climate models, analyze satellite imagery for environmental change detection, and produce a policy brief — the same deliverables used by climate organizations worldwide.
Analyze real satellite and climate data for a clean tech startup. Build climate models, detect deforestation from space, and write policy recommendations backed by your data analysis.
Who it is for
High school, secondary school students & undergraduates. Interest in environmental science, data, or policy.
Weekly plan
Week 1: Climate Science & Data Setup
- Meet the climate startup team and understand their research focus
- Download real temperature, CO2, and sea-level datasets from NASA/NOAA
- Build time series visualizations and identify trends with Python
- Understand climate feedback loops and the science of tipping points
Week 2: Climate Modeling
- Build a zero-dimensional energy balance model in Python
- Simulate CO2 doubling scenarios and calculate climate sensitivity
- Compare your model outputs with IPCC projections
- Workshop with the startup's climate scientist on model uncertainty
Week 3: Satellite Analysis & Solutions
- Analyze satellite imagery for deforestation and urbanization detection
- Work with GIS tools for spatial climate analysis
- Model renewable energy deployment scenarios for a target region
- Study the startup's approach to carbon sequestration measurement
Week 4: Policy Brief & Presentation
- Write a data-backed climate policy brief with actionable recommendations
- Present to climate scientists and clean tech investors
- Discuss technology solutions with startup founders
- Receive Proof-of-Work credential and climate tech recommendation
What you produce
- Climate model with simulation results
- Data analysis report with visualizations
- Climate policy brief
- Climate tech recommendation
- Intravarsity Proof-of-Work credential
Skills
Climate Science, Python, Data Visualization, GIS & Remote Sensing, Scientific Modeling, Policy Writing, Satellite Data Analysis, Environmental Research
Commitment
~5–8 hours/week for 4–8 weeks (30–50 hours total). 100% Virtual — work remotely with a Silicon Valley climate startup.