Energy / Environmental Technology Researcher

The Whole Building Systems (WBS) department conducts research on the design, construction and operation of residential and commercial buildings. WBS focuses on whole-building approaches to energy performance, indoor air quality, economics and the use of integrated, systematic approaches to solving key buildings-related R&D questions.

The Energy / Environmental Technology Researcher (EETR3) will conduct research in the Whole Building Systems (WBS) department of the Building Technology and Urban Systems (BTUS) division. The EETR3 will make significant contributions to the planning and development of innovative building science R&D that supports the deployment of clean energy technologies.

The EETR3 will conduct research using principles and concepts from energy and indoor environmental quality analysis to research activities advancing clean energy technology development, deployment, and adoption for residential buildings. This position will have significant latitude to determine project needs, objectives focused on home electrification and decarbonization, including interactions with Indoor Environmental Quality and other non-energy impacts. Specific activities will include assessment of costs related to home electrification, non-energy benefits of home decarbonization strategies, equity and resiliency aspects of home energy use, and approaches to decarbonize multifamily residential buildings. Additional work may include studies related to behavioral aspects of home energy use and strategies for scaling up home decarbonization.

The EETR3 may provide technical guidance, support and supervision to research staff.

What You Will Do:

• Lead research on home retrofits and decarbonization with a focus on non-energy benefits and reducing costs.
• Assess the non-energy benefits of home electrification/decarbonization. This includes Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)/Health-related topics as well as thermal comfort, mental health and home resiliency.
• Direct studies to gather cost, peak power, energy use and emissions data related to home decarbonization with a focus on multifamily buildings, manufactured homes and disadvantaged communities.
• Build databases and carry out statistical analyses that are relevant to quantifying the relationships between building decarbonization strategies, GHG emissions, costs, public health, and equity issues. 
• Communicate research results through technical reports, journal manuscripts, web pages, etc. and oral presentations at meetings.
• Coordinate the activities of a research team
• Provide technical support and guidance to staff including reviewing and providing feedback on their work
• Develop solutions and resolve  complex interdisciplinary problems related to home decarbonization. 
• Write or oversee the writing of sections of policy documents and supporting technical documentation.  Describe details of analyses performed; prepare tables and figures for supporting documents.
• Responsible for the development of organizational goals and strategies related to residential buildings. Significantly contribute to the development of research project ideas, proposals and funding.
• Present complex technical concepts, methods and results to policy makers and stakeholders, including at technical meetings 
• Exercise judgment within broadly defined procedures and practices to determine the objectives and needs of projects or advanced analyses and select appropriate methods to obtain results
• Participate in professional scientific activities, e.g., reviews of papers, research proposals, etc.
• Collaborate with internal and external personnel.
• Significantly contributes to the development of specific organization goals and objectives.
• Interact with international, federal and state energy and environmental agencies, nonprofits and private companies as needed to support, advance and disseminate research results.

Additional Responsibilities as needed:

• As needed, provide support to other projects and groups within the Energy Technologies Area of LBNL.
• May supervise the activities of exempt and nonexempt personnel.
• Eligible for PI status upon completion of required training

What is Required:

• Typically requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience with a bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, environmental, or related field; or 6 years and a master’s degree; or a PhD degree with 3 years of related experience; or equivalent work experienceDemonstrated knowledge of residential building energy use and decarbonization strategies.
• Significant experience with non-energy impacts related to building energy efficiency and decarbonization. 
• Experience in data cleaning, analysis and summary methods using a variety of visual and analytical data tools. 
• Experience with survey instruments related to behavioral aspects of home energy and IAQ performance.
• Ability to independently execute tasks that require critical thinking.
• Demonstrated ability to write high-quality technical publications.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated application of concepts and research methods in residential energy use and IEQ, including survey, field study, simulation, and meta-analysis/review approaches.
• Strong experience developing and deploying analytical methods and statistical models, including use of computational tools such as Python, R, Excel, Tableau or the like.
• Demonstrated knowledge of survey instruments and database design/management.
• Ability to function well in meeting tight deadlines and adapting to rapidly changing work demands.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment.
• 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.
• Ability to work well in both a team environment and independently.
• Experience with proposal/grant writing.

Desired Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (e.g., M.S.) in engineering, physics, environmental, or related field
• Experience analyzing barriers to building energy efficiency and decarbonization.
• Experience with research involving human subjects.
• Familiarity with new and retrofit residential construction methods.
• General knowledge of building science principles and technologies that impact energy use, power consumption and IEQ in buildings.
• Familiarity with energy conservation policies, practices, and technologies. 
• Familiarity with basic principles and tools for data management.
• General knowledge of building codes and standards, practices and technologies.

For full consideration, please apply by January 6, 2025 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 $137,292.00 - $206,148.00. The budgeted salary range that the Lab reasonably expects to pay for this position is $144,928.20 - $160,183.80 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.
• 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

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