Commercial Building Decarbonization Researcher

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s (LBNL) Building Technology and Urban Systems Division has an opening for a Commercial Building Decarbonization Researcher to join the team.

The Whole Building Systems (WBS) department promotes the design, construction, and operation of energy-efficient low-carbon commercial and residential buildings through applied research and development, deployment strategies, and integrated, whole-building approaches.

In this role you will support the delivery of technical assistance to commercial building portfolio owners as they develop comprehensive emissions reduction plans. The work delivered through the U.S. DOE-sponsored Better Climate Challenge, will include primary and secondary research on emissions reduction guidance and tools, development of new guidance and resources, supporting the efforts of a cohort of technical assistance managers (TAMs), and developing agendas/content for owner/TAM events and workshops. 

You will collaborate with team members and Principal Investigator to analyze Better Climate Challenge activities and data (e.g., sorting/analyzing technical assistance documentation) to better serve owners participating in the Challenge. In addition to direct work on the Better Climate Challenge, you may also support primary and secondary research on building data analytics tools and advanced controls.

What You Will Do:

• Support the development of technical reports, case studies, and guidance resources, to help commercial building portfolio owners develop comprehensive long term emissions reduction plans.

• Support discussions with diverse stakeholders, including technical assistance managers (TAMs), sustainability leaders, energy managers, and facilities engineers, through web-meetings and in-person workshops.

• Oversee the provision of technical assistance by a cohort of TAMs, address issues as they arise, and refine technical assistance processes and reporting.

• Prepare, present, and promote technical analyses and sustainable practices to diverse stakeholders and audiences, engaging in impactful actions to address climate change within the industry.

• Conduct primary (e.g., phone interviews) and secondary (e.g., literature review) research on emissions reduction tools and strategies, and document results in engaging ways such as presentations, technical briefs, case studies, and product classification matrices.

• In collaboration with the principal investigator, develop project ideas on building emissions reduction, responsive to DOE and Berkeley Lab priorities, building sector needs and opportunities.

• Organize and work with large amounts of data using various types of software (such as spreadsheets, and database programs) to perform analyses and develop charts of results.  

Additional Responsibilities as needed:

• Contribute to technical guidance (directly or through development of resources) on energy management and information systems (EMIS), advanced building control strategies, and monitoring-based commissioning.

• Contribute to efforts that increase the impact of the lab’s research for disadvantaged communities (DACs).

What is Required:

• Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience with a bachelor’s degree; or 3 years and a master’s degree; or a PhD degree without experience; or equivalent work experience.

• Experience in primary and secondary research and analysis of energy/environmental equipment and commercial HVAC systems.

• Experience in collection and synthesis of data from diverse sources of information, and in presenting data analysis results in a way that is easily understood by a diverse audience.

• Excellent writing, presentation, and communication skills, including the ability to present methods and results to diverse stakeholders and to develop practical written guidance materials.

• Strong knowledge of energy efficiency, electrification, grid-integration and decarbonization of commercial buildings - technologies, design and delivery processes, operations.

• Familiarity with the commercial building market stakeholder dynamics, e.g., understanding considerations and priorities of building owners, property managers, facility engineers, third party consultants, etc.

• Understanding of building HVAC advanced control strategies and data analytics concepts.

• Excellent writing, presentation, and communication skills, including the ability to present methods and results to diverse stakeholders.

• Ability to meet deadlines and manage changing work demands while producing high-quality results.

• Strong attention to detail, in analyzing large volumes of data and managing ongoing communications with many external stakeholders, for example.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently with limited supervision and collaborate effectively with a team of researchers in a matrixed environment.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience analyzing building emissions reduction technical solutions and pathways.  

• Experience working with sustainability management teams.

• Experience with energy management and information systems (EMIS), advanced building control strategies, and monitoring-based commissioning (hands-on experience, or program management & research)

• Experience developing technical training and resources.

• Experience leading or contributing to development of journal papers is desirable

• Experience leading or contributing to efforts around energy equity and environmental justice (EEEJ) in the commercial buildings market.

• Knowledge of energy audit or emissions reduction audit processes for commercial buildings

• Knowledge of commercial building portfolio owners’ sustainability planning processes and reporting

• Familiarity with the U.S. regulatory environment, especially as it relates to energy/environmental equipment or systems of particular interest.

• Knowledge of US clean energy technology markets, including major market actors.

Want to learn more about Berkeley Lab's Culture, Benefits and answers to FAQs? Please visit: https://recruiting.lbl.gov/

Notes:

• This is a full time, 1 year, term appointment with the possibility of extension or conversion to Career appointment based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs.

• The full salary range for this position is $105,480.00 - $128,916.00. The budgeted salary range that the Lab reasonably expects to pay for this position is $111,343.80 -$123,064.20. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, and certifications, and also aligned with the internal peer group.

• This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.

• Work will be primarily performed at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA.

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