About Digital Emissions

Digital Emissions is a nonprofit tech startup committed to raising public awareness about the environmental and social impacts of digitalization. We use innovative technology and constructive collaboration to drive meaningful change toward a sustainable AI future, making the invisible visible, one data point at a time.

About the Role

We are looking for a passionate and purpose-driven UX Designer to help shape the user experience of our AI-native tools and applications. You will work at the intersection of sustainability data, responsible AI, and human-centered design, crafting interfaces that make complex environmental information clear, compelling, and actionable. This is a volunteer position based in Irving, TX, ideal for a designer who wants their work to have real-world impact and who thrives in a fast-moving, collaborative, AI-first environment.

What You'll Do

• Design intuitive, accessible UX flows for AI-native web applications and sustainability tooling

• Conduct user research, create wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups

• Collaborate closely with engineers and researchers to translate data-driven insights into clear, compelling interfaces

•  Follow and help evolve an AI-based product development approach, using LLM-powered tools throughout the design lifecycle

• Maintain and extend Digital Emissions' visual design system and brand identity across all touchpoints

• Iterate rapidly based on user feedback, analytics, and usability testing

• Contribute to design documentation and handoff processes for the engineering team

What We're Looking For

Required

• Some UX/product design experience, including work on web or SaaS applications

• Strong portfolio demonstrating user-centered design thinking, from research to final UI

• Working experience in Figma or equivalent prototyping and design tools

• Understanding of accessibility standards (WCAG) and responsive design principles

•  Ability to work independently and communicate design decisions clearly to non-designers

•  Passion for sustainability, responsible AI, or tech-for-good initiatives

Preferred

• Experience designing AI-powered or data-visualization-heavy applications

• Familiarity with designing within brand guidelines and multi-product design systems

• Familiarity with Claude AI or other LLM-based tools is a plus

• Background in environmental sustainability, policy, or social impact domains

How to Apply

Send your portfolio and a brief note about why this mission resonates with you to:

careers@digitalemissions.org

Subject line: UX Designer — [Your Name] - Job Req 202643

We review applications on a rolling basis and aim to respond within two weeks. We strongly encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds in tech and sustainability to apply.

About Digital Emissions

Digital Emissions is a nonprofit tech startup on a mission to raise public awareness about the environmental and social impacts of digitalization. We galvanize researchers, policymakers, and industry practitioners to promote responsible AI and reduce the unchecked carbon footprint of an ever-growing digital world, bridging the gap between academia and industry to drive meaningful, measurable change.

About the Role

We are looking for a rigorous, intellectually curious Sustainable AI Researcher to join our growing research team. In this volunteer role, you will investigate the intersection of artificial intelligence, technology, and its broader environmental and societal impacts, and help translate that research into published, peer-reviewed work that advances the field.

You will work closely with our team to identify research gaps, design studies, synthesize findings, and co-author articles for academic journals and policy-facing publications. This is a high-impact opportunity for someone who wants their scholarship to shape how the world thinks about AI's true costs and possibilities.

What You'll Do

• Conduct original research at the intersection of AI, technology, and sustainability, covering environmental, societal, and ethical dimensions

• Identify and synthesize existing literature to map knowledge gaps and develop novel research questions

• Design and execute qualitative and/or quantitative research studies relevant to sustainable digitalization

• Co-author and contribute to peer-reviewed articles, white papers, and technical reports for academic and policy audiences

• Support the end-to-end publication process, from structuring arguments and managing citations to responding to reviewer feedback

• Collaborate with the engineering and strategic teams to ground research in real-world data and applications

• Stay current with emerging literature in responsible AI, digital emissions, data center sustainability, and related fields

• Represent Digital Emissions' research perspectives at academic events, panels, or speaking engagements when applicable

Research Domains

Candidates may specialize in one or more of the following areas:

• Energy consumption and carbon footprint of large-scale AI systems and data centers AI & Technology

• Lifecycle analysis of digital infrastructure, e-waste, and resource use in computing Environmental Impact

• Equity, access, and social justice dimensions of AI deployment and digitalization: Societal Implications

• Governance frameworks, policy analysis, and standards for ethical and sustainable AI development, Responsible AI

What We're Looking For

Required

• Currently enrolled in or holding a graduate degree (Master's or PhD) in a relevant field, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Information Science, or related disciplines

• Demonstrated experience contributing to peer-reviewed research, as an author, co-author, or research assistant on published or submitted work

• Strong academic writing skills with the ability to produce clear, well-structured research manuscripts

• Familiarity with academic research workflows: literature review, citation management, and journal submission processes

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and manage research timelines

• Genuine passion for sustainable AI, responsible technology, or digital environmental impact

Preferred

• Prior first-author or co-author publication in a peer-reviewed journal or conference proceedings

• Experience with quantitative or mixed-methods research design and data analysis

• Familiarity with AI systems, machine learning concepts, or data center infrastructure

• Knowledge of sustainability frameworks such as LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) or GHG Protocol

• Experience with academic tools such as Zotero, LaTeX, Overleaf, or similar platforms

How to Apply

Send your CV, a brief research statement (1–2 paragraphs), and any relevant publications or writing samples to:

careers@digitalemissions.org

Subject line: Sustainable AI Researcher - [Your Name] - Job Req 202645

We review applications on a rolling basis. We actively encourage applications from scholars of all backgrounds, and especially those from communities underrepresented in AI and environmental research.