Building Decarbonization Technology Researcher

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab's (LBNL) Building Technology and Urban Systems Division has an opening for a Building Decarbonization Technology 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 exciting role, you will conduct energy, market, and/or technical research that informs the development and/or deployment of building decarbonization - energy efficiency, electrification, demand flexibility- in the commercial building sector, for existing buildings retrofits as well as new construction. You will have significant latitude to determine project needs, objectives, and appropriate data collection and analysis methods. This may include significant contribution to the development of new research methods. You will direct research into complex technical research issues, including defining data needs, gathering and processing data, performing analyses, and developing analytical tools in support of clean energy technology development, deployment, and adoption. This may include interaction with external stakeholders. Your responsibilities include development of work plans, project execution coordinating diverse and matrixed staff, liaising with the Department of Energy (DOE) and other sponsors, and industry stakeholder engagement.

What You Will Do:

• Draw on wide-ranging experience to lead or make significant individual contributions to the development of new energy/economic/market/engineering research and analysis and methods of energy equipment and/or systems.

• Help principal investigators to develop project ideas on building decarbonization, responsive to DOE and Berkeley Lab priorities, building sector needs and opportunities.

• Develop partnerships and engage with industry stakeholders including building owners, operators, designers, builders, utilities, service providers, manufacturers, ESCOs, and others.

• Help develop project work plans, scope of work, budgets, staffing and coordinate the activities of a research team, including internal staff and external consultants.

• Direct the development of complex analytical and computational methods and/or tools for analyzing energy equipment and/or systems.

• 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.

• Direct or perform the organization and analysis of large amounts of data using various types of software (such as simulation tools, spreadsheets, and database programs) to perform complex analyses.

• Resolve complex issues in creative and effective ways.

• Provide technical support and guidance to staff including reviewing and providing feedback on their work.

• Write or oversee the writing of technical reports, case studies, and other market-facing technical resources. Describe details of analyses performed; prepare tables and figures for supporting documents.

• Present complex technical concepts, methods and results at conferences and other industry forums.

• Interact with funders, collaborators, and industry stakeholders on technical and policy issues.

• Manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines and uncertain schedules.

• Significantly contributes to the development of specific organization goals and objectives.

Additional Responsibilities as needed:

• May supervise the activities of exempt and nonexempt personnel.

What is Required:

• A minimum of 8 years in building energy efficiency with a Bachelor's degree; or 6 years with a Master's degree; or 3 years with a Ph.D.; or equivalent experience.

• Demonstrated experience meeting tight deadlines and managing changing work demands while producing high-quality results.

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

• Experience with leading partnerships across diverse stakeholders.

• Advanced theoretical knowledge and practical experience in research and analysis of energy equipment or systems.

• Advanced methodological knowledge and experience in collection and synthesis of data from diverse sources of information.

• Knowledge of both theory and practice of developing and applying data management tools in the context of energy, market, and/or technical research and analysis.

• Demonstrated abilities to determine program requirements, estimate budget requirements, arrange for subcontracts where necessary, develop organizational and program plans.

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

• Familiarity with energy efficiency programs, including utility programs.

• Familiarity with the commercial building market.

• Familiarity with energy efficiency financing and cost-benefit analyses.

• Networks and relationships in the building energy efficiency industry.

• Demonstrated proficiency with development of analytical methods, numerical models, and use of computational tools such as Python, R, or Excel.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently, coordinate the efforts of a team of researchers, and lead projects of moderate scope.

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

• Strong attention to detail.

• Demonstrated ability to meet tight deliverable deadlines with high-quality results and adapt to rapidly changing work demands.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experienced in program/project planning, resource management (budget and staff), and scheduling.

• Experience with developing and writing applied R&D proposals, with external client management.

• Advanced skill with data management in the context of energy, market and/or technical research and analysis.

• Expertise in building HVAC systems.

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, 2 years, 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 $130,680.00 - $159,720.00. The budgeted salary range that the Lab reasonably expects to pay for this position is $137,940.00 -$152,460.00. 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 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.

Berkeley Lab is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) 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.

Equal Opportunity and IDEA Information Links:

Know your rights, click here for the supplement: Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law and the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision under 41 CFR 60-1.4.