The Carbon Management TUNE is a university-wide initiative at Colorado State University, supported by the Office of the Vice President for Research (VPR). TUNE stands for Thematic Units of Excellence, a CSU framework designed to launch bold, interdisciplinary efforts around big, timely challenges.

This TUNE focuses on carbon management, a central issue in addressing climate change. It aims to:

• Accelerate research and innovation on carbon removal, monitoring and sequestration
• Develop data and policy solutions for real-world climate action
• Elevate CSU’s leadership in carbon science and sustainability education
• Train the next generation of carbon management professionals

To achieve these goals the TUNE incluedes five major efforts:

• A carbon dioxide removal (CDR) Skunkworks to incubate innovation: skunkworks
• A data inititative to enhance accessibility and usability of carbon data: carbon terminology database/member consortium 
• A policy analysis working group to analyze and shape carbon-related policies: policy analysis
• A  collaborative public-facing educational hub for new courses, programs and training: carbon management education
• High-profile events to share ideas and spotlight CSU’s impact in carbon management: carbon solutions network

Policy analysis in carbon management is the process of critically examining how laws, regulations, incentives, and governance structures impact efforts to reduce carbon emissions, enhance carbon sequestration, and transition to low-carbon systems.

It involves:

• Identifying relevant policies at local, state, natonal or interational levels
• Assessing their effectiveness, feasibility, and consequences, if any
• Evaluating economic, environmental, and social trade-offs
• Recommending improvements or alternatives based on evidence

In the context of this student support opportunity, it means expanding your current research to explore how policy tools and decisions shape carbon outcomes, whether in land management, energy systems, transportation, agriculture, or beyond.

This might include:

• Analyzing the role of tax credits in carbon removal adoption
• Exploring how state-level climate plans impact soil carbon initiatives
• Investigating permitting challenges for carbon sequestration in communities that are disproportionately impacted by climate change
• Comparing international policy frameworks on carbon offeset standards

In the context of this position, policy analysis will center on the goals of the TUNE initiative, including supporting a working group dedicated to evaluating and developing carbon management policies. This work aims to position CSU as a leader in the field while advancing pivotal policy solutions that sustain our planet and the ecosystems that depend on its natural resources.

The selected student will:

• Hold a 10-hour/week Research Assistantship during Fall 2025 and Spring 2026
• Incorporate a policy analysis component into their existing thesis or dissertation research, focused on carbon management
• Engage with the Carbon Management Policy Working Group, contributing to conversations, research, or deliverables as appropriate
• Meet regularly with their faculty mentor(s) and provide brief progress updates
• Actively participate in the broader TUNE initiative, including occasional events, symposia, or collaborative opportunities

This position is designed to be flexible and supportive, with an emphasis on meaningful integration of policy into the student’s existing academic goals. The student will not be expected to lead separate policy projects unless that aligns with their interests and capacity.

This information is subject to change: 

Yes! The Student(s) selected for this opportunity will have access to mentorship from leading CSU faculty and professionals with deep expertise in carbon science, policy, and systems-level solutions.

Mentors include Drs. Francesca Cotrufo, Jason Quinn, Keith Paustian, and Richard Conant are researchers affiliated with the Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability (ESS), the Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory (NREL), and other campus-wide sustainability and climate science initiatives. From the Department of Political Science (POLS),  Prof.’s Kristin Olofsson and Ryan Scott. 

These faculty members are internationally recognized for their leadership in carbon management research and regularly collaborate with government agencies, NGOs, and industry partners on climate policy and implementation. They will offer guidance on integrating policy perspectives into your research and navigating real-world impact pathways.

Yes! In fact, we encourage students to pursue additional fellowships, assistantships, or part-time opportunities that align with their goals. This funding is designed to be flexible and can complement other sources of support, including part-time positions (10hrs/week) that expand skillsets and enhance research engagement.