Air Quality Scientist - Data Quality Operations

Join a world-changing climate tech startup on a mission to improve environmental health. Aclima seeks an organized, motivated Scientist in the SF Bay Area for the Data Quality Operations team. This cross-functional role requires expertise to support both operational and R&D efforts. Key responsibilities include running and processing sensor calibrations, verifying and finalizing data, analyzing and interpreting data for reports, researching and developing new QA/QC methods, and contributing to additional operational and R&D projects. 

About Aclima 

Aclima is pioneering an entirely new way to monitor and respond to air pollution in communities, and track the effectiveness of focused mitigation efforts. We leverage cutting-edge sensor technology mounted on fleets of mapping vehicles to measure air pollution, greenhouse gases, methane, and air toxics across entire cities, states, and regions at block-level resolution. Our professional analytics software, Aclima Pro, translates billions of scientific measurements into insights at the source level, providing environmental intelligence for governments, industry, and communities. Our free app delivers address-level air pollution insights for the communities we serve. Aclima is a purpose-driven technology company helping to catalyze bold climate action that protects community health, reduces emissions, and supports smart government.

Aclima is one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential companies. Other awards include Fast Company’s 50 Most Innovative Companies in the World, #1 in Data Science, Inc. Magazine’s Best in Business, a Fast Company 2022 World Changing Idea, a WEF Technology Pioneer, and one of the top 100 companies in GovTech for 2023. Aclima is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

To learn more about Aclima, please visit https://aclima.io.

About the Role

We are seeking a motivated Scientist with extensive hands-on experience working with analytical methods and atmospheric measurement technology in real world settings. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience directly involved with atmospheric field measurements, but laboratory experience in a gas or particle phase analytical chemistry lab is also relevant. This is a hybrid role, requiring typically 60-100% time in person from week to week at our calibration and hardware facility in San Leandro, CA. Additionally, some travel within and outside of California to our satellite calibration facilities will be required to support mobile monitoring initiatives outside of the Bay Area.

We are seeking individuals who are excited about the opportunity to work with a small multi-disciplinary team, contributing directly to development and operational efforts, and taking on increasing responsibilities as we enter new markets. Scientists at Aclima are expected to be incredibly versatile employees with the potential to contribute across a wide range of company functions: operations, research and development, science communications, customer engagement, business development, and other areas. 

As a staff scientist within the Data Quality Operations team, you will primarily contribute in three key areas: 1) data quality operations, 2) the development of more effective and efficient QA/QC systems to improve network data quality at scale, and 3) development of novel applications and use cases for our scalable mobile air quality monitoring network data sets.

Data Quality Operations at Aclima consists of calibration operations, hardware maintenance, device issue tracking and management, data review, QA/QC documentation development and maintenance (e.g. SOPs, QAPPs, etc). Aclima is currently contracted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to conduct a Statewide Mobile Monitoring Initiative in 64 communities across the state of California. Monitoring is expected to commence in the Summer of 2025 and you will play a key role in managing the calibration operations for this effort, including overseeing operations and mentoring staff at a satellite facility in southern California.

Data Quality Systems Improvements Aclima strives for continuous improvement of data quality operations in order to increase the quality of data while reducing the resources required to implement QA/QC systems at scale. This can include new calibration models to improve sensor performance, engineered solutions to avoiding common hardware failures, improving existing and developing new automated methods for performing data validation on big data sets, advancing calibration procedures to improve efficiency and success rates, and advancing new methodologies for tracking deployed sensor performance, among other things.

Applications and Use Cases The motivation for implementing effective QA/QC systems is to enable a wide range of applications and use cases for collected data sets in a way that promotes confidence, transparency, and actionability with our customers and diverse stakeholders from communities most impacted by poor air quality. You will play a role in identifying new applications and use cases while also providing expertise for interpretation of results. The ideal candidate will also be excellent communicators of the science behind our data, both written and verbally.

Responsibilities:

• Lead our calibration operations

  • Sensor platform calibrations and data processing

  • Reference instrument calibration and maintenance

  • QA/QC Reporting

  • Maintaining QA/QC documentation

  • Train and oversee calibration technicians

• Contribute to regular data review and deployed device issue management

• R&D for scaling and improving data quality operations

• Development of new data products in collaboration with the data science and product teams

• Exploratory dataset preparation and analysis

• Contributing to external and public facing reports and presentations

• This is a hybrid position typically spending 60-80% in person from week to week at our headquarters in San Leandro, CA

• Some travel will be expected within and outside of California; typical expectations would be 1-2 weeks of travel per quarter, but more frequent travel may be required at times.

Qualifications:

• Direct hands-on experience with a range of atmospheric measurement techniques

• Extensive knowledge of air quality and atmospheric science

• Proficiency in at least one programming language within a scientific context (Python, R, Matlab, etc; Python preferred)

• Experience producing QA/QC documentation, for example QAPPs

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

• Eagerness to learn and collaborate across disciplines

Bonus Qualifications:

• Experience working with geospatial air quality data sets

• Experience with mobile air quality measurement platforms

• Proficient in SQL

• Ability to work efficiently with large cloud-based datasets

Experience

• Ph.D. or equivalent in a relevant scientific discipline, with a strong emphasis on analytical chemistry, atmospheric or air quality science, or a Ph.D. in any scientific, mathematical, or engineering field with 5+ years of experience in the field of air quality

• Post-doctoral experience or 2+ years experience in a professional setting after receiving degree

Please know that you can be a great candidate even if you don't have everything we've described above. You might also possess important skills and experience we haven't considered. If that's you, don't hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself (especially in your cover letter).

Pay Transparency

SF Bay Area only. The base salary range for this full-time exempt position in the SF Bay Area is $108,000 - $165,000 + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location, and are informed by current market data provided by Carta Total Comp.

Within those ranges, individual pay is determined by additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. The Hiring Manager can share more about the salary range during the hiring process. Employee must continue to reside within 90 miles of location used to determine starting salary, otherwise Aclima reserves the right to make regional adjustments to pay.

To Apply

Please submit your resume and a cover letter explaining why you are the ideal candidate for this role. Be prepared to show off your track record of success and explain to us why you’re especially qualified.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Aclima is committed to diversity in our organization and building an equitable and inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and experiences, and has proudly made the Kapor Capital Founders' Commitment. Aclima provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Aclima complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people, veterans, and people with disabilities. Full-time position only. Out of area candidates will be not be considered unless willing to relocate.  

Compensation and Benefits

Aside from the fulfillment of working alongside world-class colleagues to make a positive impact in people’s lives, while improving planetary and public health, Aclima offers competitive compensation, equity potential, and excellent benefits. Benefits include medical/dental/vision/Life/AD&D/LTD, 401K, commuter and wellness credits, company events, and an extraordinary culture.