We are looking for a person to join our team and seek to build an exciting career with us. This is a position for an ambitious, curious, and problem solving person who seeks to build a career in clean energy technology adoption.
The Building Technology & Urban Systems Division (BTUS) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) is at the forefront of cutting-edge research that redefines building technology. For decades, we have been leaders in developing energy-efficient windows, improving the nation's electricity grid, and exploring innovative technologies and solutions that increase energy efficiency and improve the health, safety, and comfort of building occupants.
The Building & Industrial Applications Department works with large organizations to drive the uptake of innovative solutions to energy and environmental problems. We're committed to conducting research that supports adoption of clean energy technologies. We work closely with market stakeholders to drive adoption of efficient, effective, and long-lasting clean energy systems. We have an opening for a Senior Research Associate to join our team.
What You Will Do:
Support research projects related to increasing the adoption of renewable energy technologies through multiple possible efforts including but not limited to:
- Improving the robustness of solar PV systems to extreme events (e.g. extreme weather, wildfires).
- Discovering and promoting innovative siting applications (e.g. solar on former mine sites) through research, demonstrations, and program development efforts.
- Addressing procurement and technical challenges faced by large organizations, including the US federal government.
- Providing direct technical assistance to large organizations, including US federal agencies, in their acquisition and deployment of clean energy technologies. Support dissemination of Building and Industrial Application (BIA) Department research results. Contribute to the development of the renewable energy team's strategic planning efforts and then implementation of these plans in collaboration with other team members.
- Participate in and contribute to research funding proposal development under the direction of Program Managers or Principal Investigators.
Additional Responsibilities as needed:
Working under the direct supervision of a Program Manager or Principal Investigator contributes as a member of a team to renewable energy, battery energy storage and grid-interactive building technology research projects, which may include any or all of the following activities:
- Develop work products and project deliverables both in a team environment and individually.
- Collect, organize, and perform quality control on large data sets.
- Undertake the collection, analysis, synthesis, and visualization of energy use and generation data - including the development of automated data analysis techniques and use of existing modeling tools and time-of-use utility tariffs to examine dynamics of onsite renewable energy generation and storage systems against building loads including electric vehicle charging.
- Assist with state, regional, and/or national energy management programs and/or policy implementation.
- Assist in the maintenance of project and group Web sites.
- Participate in research on regulations that govern implementation and interconnection to franchise utility systems.
- Provide information to stakeholders by synthesizing regulatory information as it applies to a specific renewables project site.
- Support Program Managers or team leads to collaborate with agencies, other laboratories, DOE managers, and industry partners in support of meeting implementation objectives and energy mandates.
- Support the development of contract scopes of work and technical specifications to promote best practices in operations, installations, and maintenance.
- Coordinate interagency meetings in order to advance the adoption of onsite renewable energy.
- Contribute to the communication of research findings by creating drafts of written publications, reports, slide decks, memos, and Web content. Co-present at academic/professional conferences and other venues or support the drafting of supporting presentation materials (abstracts and slide decks).
- Participate in coordinating working team and client working calls through meeting minutes and helping with the creation of meeting agendas.
- Contribute to coordination and management of multi-year complex technical projects having to do with research and technology demonstrations.
What is Required:
- Ability to perform various tasks with minimal supervision.
- Ability to work on multiple short and long-term research projects at once.
- Excellent communication skills both written and verbal, and the ability to interact with potential sources in person, by telephone, and in writing.
- Ability to gather, analyze, and visualize qualitative and quantitative data.
- Proven experience, interest, and passion for applied renewable energy technology research as demonstrated by previous work experience and or education.
- Alternatively, transferable experience and skills indicate likely success with renewable energy research topics.
- Professional experience demonstrating increasing technical capacity and interest.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with strong team skills.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to write draft reports, and papers, draft webinar slide decks and present verbally.
- Ability to perform data analysis either from direct experience with common energy industry tools (DER-CAM, ReOpt, Homer, SAM) or past experience with related transferable skills showing likely competency with energy modeling tools.
- Ability to perform basic research on technical and policy topics.
Desired Qualifications:
- Hands-on experience with renewable energy and storage technologies from either fieldwork or engineering design work.
- Simultaneous technical, policy, and financial analysis skills.
- Strong technical writing skills with the ability to draft clear and concise materials on complex technical or policy subjects.
- Ability to research both technical and policy topics and synthesize results into draft reports or papers.
- Strong competency with Microsoft software suite.
- Ability to create diagrams and drawings to convey concepts.
- Ability and interest in energy modeling tools such as HOMER and or DER-CAM or obvious transferable software modeling capabilities.
- Strong interpersonal skills leading to strong working relationships.
- Strong analytical, quantification, and conceptual skills with commensurate analytical software competency.
- Proven ability to work effectively on teams and interest in team science and projects.
- Experience and understanding of solar PV, storage technologies, and related codes and standards.
For consideration, please apply by February 6, 2023 with the following application materials:
Notes:
- This is a full-time, career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
- This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.
- Salary will be determined based on range by collective bargaining agreement.
- 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.
- The full salary range for this position is $62,316 to $96,432. The budgeted salary range that the Lab reasonably expects to pay for this position is $75,411 to $83,349. 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
Based on University of California Policy - SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program and U.S Federal Government requirements, Berkeley Lab requires that all members of our community obtain the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they are eligible. As a condition of employment at Berkeley Lab, all Covered Individuals must Participate in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program by providing proof that vaccination requirements have been met or submitting a request for Exception or Deferral. Visit covid.lbl.gov for more information.
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.
