Technology Researcher I

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s (LBNL) Building Technology & Urban System (BTUS) Division has an opening for an Energy/Environmental Technology Researcher to join the team.

The Energy/Environmental Technology Researcher (EETR1) will contribute to the BTUS Division’s building-level and community-level demand flexibility research with relevant knowledge and experience in distributed energy resource (DER) systems, electric vehicle charging systems, and grid-interactive building demand management. 

The EETR1 will be contributing to lab testing, physical and simulation-based demonstration, literature review, engineering specifications, data analysis activities and more.  Working with an interdisciplinary team of researchers and other stakeholders, the EETR1 will investigate project needs; propose and implement appropriate technical methods to satisfy project objectives; document project methods and results to support publication.

What You Will Do at Level 1:

• Contribute to the planning, technical specification and evaluation of connecting building load (e.g., HVAC) management and behind-the-meter distributed energy resources (DER) with utility system as a grid resource and for resilience. 
• Apply standard principals to conduct lab tests of coordinating simulated grid signal (e.g., demand response dispatch) with building loads and other DERs such as battery and EV charging; implement industry grid-DER communication standards (e.g., OpenADR, IEEE 2030.5). 
• Conduct primary and secondary research on a variety of demand flexibility topics, such as smart EV charging management, building automation and demand management, interoperability, DERs for virtual power plant, microgrid and other grid services such as capacity management. 
• Contribute to team work on the design and implementation of a multi-end use demand-flexible building energy system demonstration including loads and DERs; support hardware/software integration and coding of control algorithms    
• Exercise judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate analytical methods
• Support the execution of demand flexibility research and demonstration programs including but not limited to data collection, metrics analysis, and technical assistance 
• Contribute to technical reports, presentations, publications and outreach materials for internal and external audiences
• Provide resolutions to problems of moderately complex scope
• Collaborate with internal personnel and some external contacts.

In addition to above, at Level 2:

• Drive and develop the planning, technical specification and evaluation of connecting building load (e.g., HVAC) management and behind-the-meter distributed energy resources (DER) with utility systems as a grid resource and for resilience. 
• Use deep understanding of an area of specialization to conduct lab test of coordinating simulated grid signal (e.g., demand response dispatch) with building loads and other DERs such as battery and EV charging; implement industry grid-DER communication standards (e.g., OpenADR, IEEE 2030.5). 
• Develop primary and secondary research on a variety of demand flexibility topics, such as smart EV charging management, building automation and demand management, interoperability, DERs for virtual power plant, microgrid and other grid services such as capacity management. 
• Collaborate with a team to develop the design and implementation of a multi-end use demand-flexible building energy system demonstration including loads and DERs; drive hardware/software integration progress; develop coding of control algorithms. 
• Provide strong support and guidance to multiple demand flexibility research and demonstration programs including but not limited to research plan development, data collection, metrics analysis, and technical assistance.
• Develop training materials on demand flexibility related topics for workforce development. 
• Resolve a wide range of complex problems in creative and practical ways.
• Write or co-author research reports and papers leading to successful publications. 
• Prepare and deliver research presentations to various stakeholders and at conferences to amplify research impact and attract research collaborators. 
• Interact with funders and collaborators on technical issues.
• Contributes to the development of organization goals and objectives.

Additional Responsibilities as needed:

• Use data analytics packages (e.g. Python) and online collaboration platform (e.g. Github) to process, visualize, and model data generated from energy simulations, lab and field testing, program data, or real building operation data
• Perform building energy simulations to support building demand flexibility related research, including results diagnosis using EnergyPlus and OpenStudio, post-process outputs into meaningful tables and charts
• Support demand flexibility and DER related workforce development activities 
• Interact with external parties on technical and non-technical issues.
• May supervise the activities of exempt or non-exempt personnel.

What is Required at Level 1:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field, with extensive professional technical experience or additional education related to the position duties, typically minimum 2 years.
• Experience in research and analysis of building energy management and control systems or DER technologies (e.g., EV charging systems, behind-the-meter batteries).
• Experience in contributing to lab testing, instrumentation, hardware/software integration, or other similar work that involves system troubleshooting. Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills.
• Experience in collection and synthesis of data and information from diverse sources.
• Experience applying analytical tools in the context of vehicle grid integration or building energy research.
• Demonstrated ability to make progress with limited supervision and effectively collaborate with internal and external players to support research objectives.
• Ability to contribute to developing practical and sound solutions effectively to advance research, and know when it’s necessary to involve project leads.
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage changing work demands while producing high-quality results.
• Strong attention to technical details.
• Demonstrated proficiency in developing analytical methods and use of computational and visualization tools such as Python and Excel.
• Solid writing and presentation skills to clearly communicate research methods and results in ways that are appropriate for the targeted audience.
• Ability to learn new concepts, technologies and tools quickly. 
• Must be able to start on or before 2/17/25.

In addition to above, at Level 2: 

• 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 research and analysis of building energy management and control systems and EV charging systems.
• Experience in designing and executing lab testing, instrumentation, and/or hardware/software integration and troubleshooting. Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills.
• Experience applying simulation and analytical tools in the context of vehicle grid integration and building energy research.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with limited supervision and collaborate effectively with a team of researchers resolving different opinions and achieve research objectives.
• Ability to lead team discussions and effectively develop practical and sound solutions to advance research.
• Demonstrated proficiency in developing analytical methods, models, and use of computational and visualization tools such as Python and Excel.
• Strong writing, presentation, and communication skills, including the ability to present methods and results to diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to learn new concepts, technologies and tools quickly. 

Desired Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (e.g., M.S.) in engineering or related field
• Electrical or mechanical engineering background and/or experience working with MEP/control contractors. 
• Experience in research and team collaboration.
• Knowledge in the following related topics (not require all, any subset of these are useful): automated demand response (DR) technologies; virtual power plant (VPP); distributed energy resources management systems (DERMS); building or industrial automation and energy management systems; building controls and optimization; open communication standards; system integration and interoperability; uni- and bi-directional EV charging management; microgrid; utility grid; demand response programs, measurements & verification (M&V); building and industrial electrification; building codes, etc.
• Experience in research collaboration and leading matrixed teams.
• Familiarity with the U.S. utilities environment, especially as it relates to demand response and grid-and-DER coordination.
• Knowledge of US DER technology markets, including major market players.

Notes:

• For full consideration, please apply by January 15, 2025.
• 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 $81,264.00-$137,136.00. The budgeted salary range that the Lab reasonably expects to pay for this position is $96,501.00-$106,659.00. 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. 0.2 The full salary range for this position is $96,192.00 - $162,336.00. The budgeted salary range that the Lab reasonably expects to pay for this position is $114,239.40 -$ 126,264.60. 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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