Energy/Environmental Policy Researcher

Berkeley, CA, United States

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s ( LBNL ) Energy Markets and Policy Department has an opening for an Energy/Environmental Policy Researcher to join the team.

The Energy Markets & Policy (EMP) Department strives to inspire and inform impactful solutions to existing and emerging global energy challenges through objective and timely research and technical assistance. We employ a range of interdisciplinary methods and tools appropriate to the topic at hand, including primary data, economic, and statistical analyses; modeling; and survey and interview-based research. The Energy/Environmental Policy Researcher will lead research in topics ranging from electricity grid reliability and resilience and energy equity and in methods ranging from survey design and multi-stakeholder engagement. The Energy Policy Researcher will be part of a number of teams that develop decision support tools and conduct research in the economic value of power system reliability/resiliency; identifying risks/benefits of energy resilience projects in island(ed) systems; measuring equity and implementing frameworks to promote equity in electricity systems; and refining and contributing to the state of the art in qualitative methods including, but not limited to, interview design, survey design, focus groups, and multi-stakeholder engagement.

In this role, you will develop materials (e.g., reports, practical guides, and webinars) that are useful to decision-makers in their aforementioned areas of research, present at conferences and meetings, assist in the management of a number of projects, develop and maintain decision support tools and databases, provide technical assistance (TA) to states and service territories, help develop proposals for clients, and foster relationships with potential funders. Finally, you will provide technical guidance and support to staff and may also supervise staff.

What You Will Do:

Lead or co-lead research into electricity grid reliability and resilience, particularly as they relate to utility decision-making (e.g., long-term resource planning) and island(ed) systems.

Lead or co-lead research into measuring and developing energy equity metrics in electricity systems, by employing a mix of quantitative (e.g., GIS modeling, statistical data analysis and visualization) and qualitative (e.g., multi-stakeholder engagement, interview and survey design) methods.

Lead or co-lead technical assistance in implementing frameworks to promote energy equity in a state, utility, or community.

Direct the development of complex analytical, computational, and qualitative methods and/or tools for analyzing electricity grid reliability and energy equity.

Prepare final reports, practical guides, webinars, decision support tools, and databases in fulfillment of contract deliverables.

Deliver presentations on research results to diverse audiences, including at technical conferences and for project reviews; actively seek out new venues and opportunities to disseminate research to key target audiences (e.g., utilities, regulators, state energy offices, non-profits, and communities).

Provide intellectual leadership by helping to identify new trends and research needs relating to the areas above and other issues in grid reliability, resilience, and energy equity by contributing to the broader mission of Berkeley Lab and the Electricity Markets and Policy Department.

Contribute to fundraising efforts by helping to identify and develop fundable research projects that advance the state of knowledge for grid reliability, resilience and energy equity.

What is Required:

Typically requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience with a bachelor’s degree; or 6 years and a master’s degree; or a PhD degree with 3 years of related experience; or equivalent work experience.

Relevant experience in the field, including (1) developing advanced analytical methods and working with complex spreadsheets and programming languages (e.g., R or Python) to perform analyses on large datasets; (2) managing projects and interdisciplinary teams; (3) writing technical reports as well as developing presentations and presenting technical topics to a variety of audiences; (4) and proposing research and fundraising.

Familiarity with power systems operations, electricity grid reliability standards, grid resilience measurement and analysis, techniques used in grid operations and planning, and regulatory and utility decision processes,

Familiarity with energy equity principles and current applications/frameworks used by states, regulators, and utilities to measure recognition, procedural, distributional, and restorative energy justice.

Development of tools and scripts used to perform advanced quantitative data, economic, market, and policy analysis on issues related to grid reliability and resilience and energy equity.

Qualitative methods, such as literature review, survey design, semi-structured interviews, text coding and analysis, and multi-stakeholder engagement processes.

Strong written and oral communications skills, including the ability to communicate technical results in a manner accessible to both technical and non-technical audiences, as evidenced by a record of publications and prior public speaking engagements.

Work on innovative technical projects, both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team of scientists and technical support staff.

Promote research to new and diverse audiences and potential funders – including Department of Energy representatives, academics, utilities, non-profits, and communities.

Desired Qualifications:

Willingness to learn and become proficient in new quantitative and qualitative methods, as required by research projects, to support ongoing and new research areas.

Experience in conducting a diverse array of technical analyses in the value of reliability and resilience.

Experience in developing and implementing energy equity metrics and frameworks.

Notes:

For full consideration, please apply by June 3, 2024.

This is a full-time career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.

The full salary range for this position is $119,184.00 - $201,120.00. The budgeted salary range that the Lab reasonably expects to pay for this position is $141,531.00 - $156,429.00. 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.

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.

Learn About Us:

Berkeley Lab (LBNL) addresses the world’s most urgent scientific challenges by advancing sustainable energy, protecting human health, creating new materials, and revealing the origin and fate of the universe. Founded in 1931, Berkeley Lab’s scientific expertise has been recognized with 16 Nobel prizes. The University of California manages Berkeley Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.

Working at Berkeley Lab has many rewards including a competitive compensation program, excellent health and welfare programs, a retirement program that is second to none, and outstanding development opportunities. To view information about the many rewards that are offered at Berkeley Lab- Click Here .

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:

Create and manage profiles for future opportunities.

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.

The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory provides accommodation to otherwise qualified internal and external applicants who are disabled or become disabled and need assistance with the application process. Internal and external applicants that need such assistance may contact the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to request accommodation by telephone at 510-486-7635, by email to [email protected] or by U.S. mail at EEO/AA Office, One Cyclotron Road, MS90R-2121, Berkeley, CA 94720. These methods of contact have been put in place ONLY to be used by those internal and external applicants requesting accommodation.

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