Policy Researcher

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s (LBNL ) Energy Analysis & Environmental Impacts Division has an opening for a Policy Researcher to join the team.
The Energy Efficiency for Development (EE4D.org) program of the Sustainable Energy & Environmental Systems Department provides technical resources and expert advice to support partner countries in advancing energy efficiency strategies and achieving a more resilient and sustainable economic development. EE4D assists countries with policy, planning, and deployment support for energy efficient development and smart technologies uptake and works in South Africa, Mexico, Uganda and Ecuador. As part of EE4D and a new partnership with USAID Power Africa, Berkeley Lab will significantly expand its collaboration with partners in South Africa to accelerate the country’s ambition to reduce GHGs whilst incorporating just transition principles. The EE4D program is seeking an officer to contribute to the implementation of these collaborations.

In this exciting role, the Energy/Environmental Policy Researcher (EEPR1) will apply methods of conducting energy, economic, market, and/or technical research that contribute to the development of energy/environmental policies, focusing on demand-side management programs. Working with an interdisciplinary team of researchers, the EEPR1 will conduct research including gathering and processing data, performing analyses, and developing advanced analytical and modeling tools.  The EEPR1 will apply principles and concepts from energy/economic/market/engineering analysis and provide technical support.  

What You Will Do:

• Contribute to the design, development, and enhancement of energy demand forecasting models and tools for determining energy savings and greenhouse gas emissions reductions from energy efficiency policies. 

• Contribute to the investigation, creation and development of data collection and new scientific methodologies to improve data analysis.

• Contribute to presentations, LBNL technical reports and technical memos; summarizing methods, data sources, results, conclusions, and/or energy and economic implications. 

• Perform engineering and economic assessments of energy-efficient technologies and practices.

• Coordinate and provide training workshops for international government officials and their consultants.

• Support the authorship of quarterly reports and help organize webinars.

• Provide resolutions to problems of moderately complex scope.

• Develop written technical support documentation and policy documents detailing the analysis methods and results.

• Prepare presentation material on technical analysis for the public audience, including policy stakeholders.

• Contribute to research projects, tasks and organizational objectives of moderate scope with oversight from senior staff.

• Collaborate with internal personnel and some external contacts.

• Ability to start work early in the morning to accommodate for weekly calls with South Africa’s working hours.

Additional Responsibilities as needed:

• Contribute to the planning for research projects on energy efficiency. 

• Work with subcontractors, including monitoring and evaluating contract deliverables.

• Contribute in preparation of training materials for internal and external audiences.

• Contribute to papers and refereed journal articles. 

What is Required:

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent knowledge) in environmental science, policy, economics, engineering, statistics, or related field, with extensive professional technical experience or additional education related to the position duties, typically minimum 2 years.

• Strong experience in energy efficiency and demand side management programs assessment and development.

• Experience working internationally.

• Experience with development of computational tools in Low Emissions Analysis Platform  (LEAP), Excel/VBA, Python, or other languages.

• Professional experience with analysis software such as MS Excel, including the use of built-in statistical analysis packages, other statistical analysis software and the Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) model in order to perform energy analysis and computer modeling.  Other word processing, data analysis and presentation tools (MS Word, MS PowerPoint, Google Docs, Google Sheets, etc.).

• Strong understanding of concepts and methods relevant to energy, economic, environmental, market and/or technical research and analysis of energy/environmental equipment or systems.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including a demonstrated ability to present analytical methods and results to a non-specialist audience. 

• Ability to function well in meeting tight deadlines, and adapt to rapidly changing work demands. 

• Demonstrated collaboration skills to respond to short-term client needs, work with members of project teams, and collaborate with industry and international experts. 

• Ability to work successfully in an interdisciplinary environment and to coordinate/collaborate successfully with colleagues and others from a diversity of fields.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively .

• Strong attention to detail.

• Ability to work well in both a team environment and independently.

• Interest in energy analysis and policy.

Desired Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (e.g., M.S.) in environmental science, policy, economics, engineering, statistics, or related fields and 4 years of relevant experience.  

• Specific experience in energy efficiency research and analysis of energy/environmental equipment or systems in developing economies.

• Familiarity with U.S., South Africa and international energy efficiency policy, especially as it relates to demand side management.

• Familiarity with basic principles and tools for data management.

• Foreign language proficiency (Spanish, French or other languages).

For full consideration, please apply by December 20, 2023.

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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 $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.

• 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.

 

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