Energy/Environmental Policy Researcher

The Energy/Environmental Policy Researcher (EEPR 1) will be part of the Energy Markets and Policy (EMP) department at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) to contribute to research on utility-scale renewable energy and storage deployment. EMP seeks to inform domestic and global decision-making among regulators, policymakers, grid operators, utilities, the renewable energy and storage industries, and communities impacted by development.

The EEPR1 will apply methods of conducting energy, economic, market, and/or technical research that contributes to the development of energy/environmental policies. Working with an interdisciplinary team of researchers, the EEPR1 will conduct research including gathering and processing data, performing analyses, and developing advanced analytical and modeling tools.  The EEPR1 will apply principles and concepts from energy/economic/market/engineering analysis and provide technical support.  

What You Will Do:

• Contribute to research and tasks supporting organizational objectives with senior staff oversight, including:
• Utility-Scale Solar report
• Land-based Wind Market report
• U.S. State Renewable Portfolio & Clean Electricity Standards report
• Generator Interconnection Queued Up report
• Transmission congestion analysis
• Develop analytical and computational methods/tools for energy generator analysis, such as:
• Leveraging large language models for data acquisition
• Quantifying renewable energy contributions to resource adequacy
• Deriving intra-regional transmission asset contributions to resource adequacy
• Large-scale modeling of solar generation profiles and debiasing with system-level data
• Deriving empirical performance trends for wind and solar generators
• Assessing generator interconnection timelines, costs, and completion rates
• Managing solar+storage hybrid systems dispatch profiles databases
• Exercise judgment within defined procedures to resolve moderately complex issues
• Create written documentation on methods, results, and policy analysis
• Prepare presentations on technical analysis for public audiences, including policy stakeholders
• Collaborate with internal teams and external contacts

Additional Responsibilities as needed:

• Experience working with large amounts of data using multiple types of software (such as simulation tools and database programs) to perform analyses.
• May supervise the activities of nonexempt personnel.

What is Required:

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent knowledge) in engineering, statistics, public policy, or related field, with extensive professional technical experience (typically minimum 3 years) or alternatively additional education related to the position duties.
• Strong experience in developing analytical methods and numerical models.
• Experience with development of computational tools in Python, R, and Excel.
• Strong understanding of concepts and methods relevant to energy, economic, policy, and technical research and analysis of variable renewable energy and storage systems.
• Proficiency with statistics.
• Demonstrable experience working with: 
• Python-based modeling tools valuing capacity contributions
• NREL’s System Advisory Model
• Solar and wind performance data
• Solar+storage dispatch and market participation data
• Market data to assess transmission congestion
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including a demonstrated ability to present analytical methods and results to a non-specialist audience. 
• Ability to function well in meeting tight deadlines, and adapt to rapidly changing work demands. 

Desired Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (e.g., Masters) in engineering, statistics, public policy, or related field.
• Specific experience in research and analysis of solar and storage systems.
• Experience applying data management tools in the context of energy, economic, environmental, market and/or technical research and analysis. 
• Familiarity with U.S. energy policy, especially as it relates to variable renewable energy and storage systems.
• Familiarity with advanced principles and tools for data management.

Notes:

• This is a full-time, career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
• The full salary range for this position is $93,696.00 - $140,568.00. The budgeted salary range that the Lab reasonably expects to pay for this position is $98,918.00 - $109,330.00 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 is 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.
• As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.
• 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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