Energy/Environmental Policy Researcher

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s (LBNL’s) Energy Analysis & Environmental Impacts Division has an opening for an Energy/Environmental Policy Researcher (EEPR) to join our team to work on research related to industrial decarbonization and material circularity.

The Energy Analysis & Environmental Impacts (EAEI) Division is at the forefront of cutting-edge decarbonization analysis to further environmental mitigation, energy efficiency, and equity research. Staff in EAEI employ scientific and analytical expertise and methods to support market adoption of clean energy and environmental technologies and inform public and private decision-making.

Under limited supervision and working with an interdisciplinary team of researchers, the Energy/Environmental Policy Researcher (EEPR2) will develop decarbonization analyses across diverse supply chains, products, processes, and sectors. The EEPR2 work will lead research tasks, identify the greatest opportunities for reducing life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions in these areas, while assessing the additional benefits of mitigating associated environmental impacts, life-cycle cost reduction, improving equity outcomes, enhancing material circularity, and bolstering supply chain resilience.

What You Will Do:

• Conduct analyses across a range of decarbonization and sustainability challenges, including material flow analysis, life-cycle assessment, and techoeconomic analysis. Inform decarbonization solutions by identifying key sources of emissions and modeling mitigation pathways.
• Generate greenhouse gas emission inventories across product and process life-cycles.
• Adapt analysis skills to a wide range of applications and markets, such as industrial, water, and waste sectors.
• Draft written research communications through journal articles, reports, and presentations for a range of stakeholders.
• Contribute independently to multiple projects.
• Communicate effectively across diverse teams.
• Support project management activities.
• Resolve a wide range of complex problems in creative and practical ways.
• Prepare and present technical analysis to a public audience, policy stakeholders, and peers.
• Interact with collaborators and/or policy stakeholders to gather necessary data for conducting research and analysis.
• Interact with funders and collaborators on technical issues.

Additional Responsibilities as needed:

• Support and contribute to the development of research project ideas and proposals.
• Provide support to other projects and groups within the Energy Technologies Area of LBNL.
• The EEPR2 may provide technical guidance, support and supervision to research staff. 

What is Required:

• Minimum of 5 years of energy-related experience with a bachelor's degree; 3 years of related experience and a masters Degree; or a PhD degree without experience; or equivalent work experience.
• Demonstrated experience in greenhouse gas accounting and decarbonization analysis.
• Demonstrated proficiency with development of analytical methods and use of computational tools such as Python, R, or Excel.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with limited supervision and collaborate effectively with a team of researchers.
• Writing, presentation, and communication skills, including the ability to present methods and results to diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and work with complex spreadsheets and database programs to perform analyses using large amounts of information on complex subjects from diverse sources of data and other sources.
• Demonstrated proficiency in MS Office, especially MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated ability to meet tight deliverable deadlines with high-quality results and adapt to rapidly changing work demands.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including a demonstrated ability to present analytical methods and results to a non-specialist audience. 
• Strong attention to detail.

Desired Qualifications:

• Degree in a STEM discipline with a focus in energy-related studies.
• Good familiarity with life-cycle assessment, and/or material flow analysis.
• Good familiarity with cost-benefit analysis and/or technoeconomic analysis.
• Familiarity with U.S. energy policy, especially as it relates to energy/environmental equipment or systems of particular interest.
• Familiarity with basic principles and tools for data management.

For full consideration please apply by Nov 1, 2024 with the following application materials:

• Resume and cover letter

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 $110,928.00 - $166,392.00 The budgeted salary range that the Lab reasonably expects to pay for this position is $117,100.80 - $129,427.20. 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.
• This position is eligible for a flexible work mode, with onsite or hybrid work being the preferred modes. Hybrid work is a combination of teleworking and performing work on-site at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. Individuals working a hybrid schedule must reside within 150 miles of Berkeley Lab. Work schedules are dependent on business needs.

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov

Berkeley Lab is committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility and strives to continue building community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We heartily welcome applications from women, minorities, veterans, and all who would contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, inclusion, and professionalism. In support of our diverse global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

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