Energy/Environmental Technology Researcher

At the Energy Technologies Area (ETA) at LBNL, we address the world's most pressing climate challenges by bringing to market energy-efficient innovations across the buildings, transportation, and industrial sectors. ETA is at the forefront of developing better batteries for electric vehicles; improving the country's aging electrical grid and innovating distributed energy and storage solutions; developing grid-interactive, efficient buildings; and providing the most comprehensive market and data analysis worldwide for renewable technologies like wind and solar.

This Energy / Environmental Technology Researcher 2 (EETR2) position will work across a set of domestic and international programs in the Energy Technologies Area focused on clean energy technology incubation, innovation, deployment and commercialization. These include: IMPEL (impel.lbl.gov), Cradle to Commerce (C2C.lbl.gov) and RETAP (U.S.-India Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform).

The EETR2 will develop and apply methods of conducting energy, economic, market, and/or technical research in energy domains such as renewables, energy efficiency, cooling, and energy storage that informs the development, deployment, and/or commercialization of clean energy technologies.

Working under the guidance of the PI with an interdisciplinary team of researchers at LBNL and partnering national labs, the EETR2 will define the needs of projects and determine appropriate methods to satisfy technical objectives. The EETR2 will lead research tasks, including gathering and processing data, performing analyses, and developing analytical tools within their area of specialization.

The EETR2 may provide technical guidance, support and supervision to research staff.

What You Will Do:

• Use full understanding of an area of specialization to conduct advanced energy/economic/market/engineering research and analysis of energy/environmental equipment and/or systems or lead projects of moderate scope that include advanced energy/economic/market/engineering research and analysis of energy/environmental equipment and/or systems.
• Develop or direct the development of analytical and computational methods and/or tools for analyzing energy/environmental equipment and/or systems within an area of specialization.
• Organize and work with large amounts of data using various types of software (such as simulation tools, spreadsheets, and database programs) to perform analyses.
• Under limited direction of the PI, provide resolution to a diverse range of complex problems where analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors. Exercises judgment within generally defined practices and policies for obtaining solutions.
• Contribute in development of technology case studies, best practices, surveys, domain insight reports, and other reports and publications.
• Draft written technical support documentation and policy documents detailing the analysis methods and results.
• Prepare and present technical analysis to a public audience, policy stakeholders, and peers.
• Support the PI in the review of energy/environmental technology teams for the C2C and IMPEL cohort selection process, matchmaking with labs and IP.
• Exercise judgment within generally defined procedures and practices to define the needs of projects or tasks and determine appropriate methods to satisfy technical objectives.
• Monitor and track technology milestones and deliverables of teams including technology development plan (in conjunction with the Scientist in Residence) and Business model development (in conjunction with Program Key Advisors), and pilot and demonstration opportunities (in conjunction with program collaborators).
• Resolve a wide range of complex problems in creative and practical ways.
• Provide technical support and guidance to staff, including reviewing and providing feedback on their work to improve technical quality.
• Interact with collaborators and/or policy stakeholders to gather necessary data for conducting research and analysis.
• Interact with incubator ecosystem, funders, and collaborators on technical and program aspects.
• Contribute to the development of organization goals and objectives.
• Support PI in the implementation of the program with strategic imperatives, help with resolving problems in creative and practical ways through internal and external (DOE, program partners) personnel.

Additional Responsibilities as needed:

• Interact with ecosystem stakeholders on programmatic aspects.
• May supervise the activities of personnel.

What is Required:

• 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 energy/environmental equipment or systems.
• Experience in collection and synthesis of data from diverse sources of information.
• Experience developing and applying data management tools in the context of energy, environmental, market, and/or technical research and analysis.
• Experience in working in technology incubation, pilots and/or technology ecosystem development.
• Demonstrated proficiency with development of analytical methods, numerical models, and use of computational tools.
• Excellent writing, presentation, and communication skills, including the ability to present methods and results to diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage changing work demands while producing high-quality results.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with limited supervision and collaborate effectively with a team of researchers.

Desired Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (e.g., M.S.) in engineering, physics, statistics, or related field.
• Experience leading research teams.
• Familiarity with the U.S. regulatory environment, especially as it relates to energy/environmental equipment or systems of particular interest.
• Knowledge of US clean energy technology markets, investors, funding agencies, including major market actors.

For full consideration, please apply by January 6, 2025 with the following application materials:

• Resume
• 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 $110,928.00 - $166,392.00 The budgeted salary range that the Lab reasonably expects to pay for this position is $117,100.80 - $129,427.20. 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.
• 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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