Extreme Environments Renewable Energy Researcher - Alaska Campus

Posting TitleExtreme Environments Renewable Energy Researcher - Alaska Campus

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LocationAK - Fairbanks

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Position TypeRegular

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Hours Per Week40

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Working at NRELNREL’s Alaska Campus in Fairbanks, Alaska is one of the farthest-north LEED Platinum buildings in the world. Using a mix of solar, geothermal, biomass, and thermal storage, it is a living laboratory for clean energy technologies in the subarctic. NREL's Alaska Campus is in the heart of Interior Alaska, surrounded by mountains, trails, and rivers, as well as vibrant music, culture, and community. With 22 hours of sunlight in the summer and cold, snowy winters, Fairbanks is an outdoor-lovers' paradise.

From day one at NREL, you’ll connect with coworkers driven by the same mission to save the planet. By joining an organization that values a supportive, inclusive, and flexible work environment, you’ll have the opportunity to engage through our ten employee resource groups, numerous employee-driven clubs, and learning and professional development classes.

NREL supports inclusive, diverse, and unbiased hiring practices that promote creativity and innovation. By collaborating with organizations that focus on diverse talent pools, reaching out to underrepresented demographics, and providing an inclusive application and interview process, our Talent Acquisition team aims to hear all voices equally. We strive to attract a highly diverse workforce and create a culture where every employee feels welcomed and respected and they can be their authentic selves.

Our planet needs us! Learn about NREL’s critical objectives, and see how NREL is focused on saving the planet.

We invite all interested candidates to apply for this opportunity. While we recognize that job seekers may hesitate if they don’t meet every requirement, we encourage dedicated individuals who meet all the basic and additional required qualifications of the role to submit an application. We value the opportunity to consider those who believe they have the necessary skills and ambition to succeed at NREL.

Job Description

NREL's Alaska Campus is seeking a researcher to support energy optimization model development and analyses in the Applied Research for Communities in Extreme Environments (ARCEE) Center within the Mechanical, and Thermal Energy Sciences (MTES) directorate. ARCEE works with federal agencies, states, local governments, communities, and the private sector to develop energy strategies, analyze opportunities, and implement an integrated portfolio of distributed energy resources, energy efficiency, and sustainable transportation to meet energy goals.

The individual will work under to develop, maintain, and perform analysis with NREL’s REopt modeling platform for energy systems integration and optimization. The incumbent will conduct engineering analysis using mixed integer linear programming and other energy system analysis tools (i.e., SAM, HOMER) to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of distributed renewable energy, energy efficiency, storage, flexible loads, and conventional generation in buildings, campuses, or microgrids. 

The incumbent will work with clients to design analyses to inform distributed energy deployment pathways, and document and present engineering results, including publishing results in technical reports, conference papers, or journal articles.

The successful candidate will have experience in energy analysis and mathematical optimization modeling, especially as it applies to energy technologies and systems.

The selected candidate will play a crucial role in applying their scientific expertise and project leadership skills to ensure the safe and successful execution of projects, aligned with DOE and NREL's research mission. They will be an integral part of the ARCEE team, contributing their expertise, research, and analysis to advance the clean energy transition in remote communities and extreme environments. Additionally, the candidate will be expected to coordinate and communicate effectively with a wide range of technical stakeholders, including research engineers, scientists, principal investigators, DOE clients, and industry research partners.

For a Researcher III:

The successful candidate will have the following skills:

• Expert Knowledge of renewable energy technologies, specifically solar-related technologies
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills; enjoys group problem solving and technical debates
• Ability to work with clients to understand questions, design analyses to answer questions, and communicate results effectively
• Lead and support proposal development for potential funding opportunities to further NREL's mission. 
• Perform data analysis, including specialized analysis of energy-related research projects.
• Ability to collaborate with team members in a flexible work environment
• Prepare, draft, and edit research and analysis reports.
• Publish technical papers in relevant journals. 
• Analyze measurement and monitoring data and perform community technical assessments to identify on-site energy technology opportunities.
• Provide support for technical assistance, engagements, and related activities.
• Collaborate within an interdisciplinary research team.
• Take on leadership roles in projects and collaborate with research personnel and partner organizations on upcoming research initiatives.

• Present results to sponsors, peer reviewers, and other stakeholders.

For a Researcher II:

The successful candidate will have the following skills:

• Knowledge of renewable energy technologies, specifically solar-related technologies
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills; enjoys group problem solving and technical debates
• Ability to work with clients to understand questions, design analyses to answer questions, and communicate results effectively
• Must support proposal development for potential funding opportunities to further NREL's mission. 
• Perform data analysis, including specialized analysis of energy-related research projects.
• Ability to collaborate with team members in a flexible work environment
• Prepare, draft, and edit research and analysis reports.
• Publish technical papers in relevant journals. 
• Analyze measurement and monitoring data and perform community technical assessments to identify on-site energy technology opportunities.
• Provide support for technical assistance, engagements, and related activities.
• Collaborate within an interdisciplinary research team.
• Take on leadership roles in projects and collaborate with research personnel and partner organizations on upcoming research initiatives.

• Present results to sponsors, peer reviewers, and other stakeholders.

Candidates at the Researcher Level II will receive long- range directions on new assignments and receives occasional oversight on complex features or problems. Work will be evaluated upon completion to ensure objectives have been met. Provides technical coordination and/or guidance to others as needed.

Candidates at the Researcher Level III will work under nominal supervision and provides technical direction to multiple teams for organizational or business unit initiatives and/or new technology product line strategies. Coordinates and monitors the work of others. Has the ability to develop into a role model for effective and creative technical leadership within a center or directorate.

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Basic QualificationsFor a Researcher III:
Relevant PhD . Or, relevant Master's Degree and 3 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 5 or more years of experience . Demonstrated full knowledge of laws, regulations, principles, procedures and practices related to specific field. Strong leadership, communication, problem solving and project management skills. Ability to use various computer software programs.
For a Researcher II:
Relevant Master's Degree . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 2 or more years of experience . Working knowledge of laws, regulations, principles, procedures and practices related to specific field. Skilled in problem solving, written and verbal communication. Ability to use various computer software programs.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience working in extreme environments, such as in rural Alaska or other similar regions (Rural, Remote, Islanded, or at the end of vulnerable logistics).
• Ability to work independently
• High standards of work quality
• Self-driven and excited to learn new skills as needed
• Smart, intellectually curious, analytical, and tenacious in finding solutions. Adaptable to a variety of roles and projects.
• Experience in community engagement and working with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in data collection, analysis, and visualization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and equity principles

Preferred Qualifications

• Develop and edit educational materials for various stakeholders, including students, homeowners, builders, and practitioners.
• Manage projects, including creating schedules, inputting planning data into NREL's planning and financial tools, monitoring progress, and tracking costs across multiple research projects.
• Contribute to strategic planning and develop protocols and tools for energy technology assessments.
• Establish connections with relevant entities and engage with current sponsors to secure additional research funding.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to lead cross-functional teams.
• Experience working with national laboratories, government agencies, or research institutions.
• Knowledge of energy policy, environmental justice, and resilience principles.
• Familiarity with energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.
• Ability to navigate complex social systems and facilitate project development

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Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)Job Profile: Researcher III / Annual Salary Range: $79,600 - $143,300

Job Profile: Researcher II / Annual Salary Range: $73,200 - $120,800

NREL takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits SummaryBenefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short*- and long-term disability insurance; pension benefits*; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement*. NREL employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.

* Based on eligibility rules

Badging RequirementNREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation.Drug Free Workplace

NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

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EEO Policy

NREL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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