R&D Associate - Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

Requisition Id 11725 

Overview:

ORNL is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, with an extraordinary 80-year history of solving the nation’s biggest problems. We have a dedicated and creative staff of over 6,200 people! ORNL’s decadal vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) is to cultivate an environment and practices that foster diversity in ideas and in the people across the organization, as well as to ensure ORNL is recognized as a workplace of choice. These elements are critical for enabling the execution of ORNL’s broader mission to accelerate scientific discoveries and their translation into energy, environment, and security solutions for the nation. Come join us and help solve the world's most challenging energy problems!

Project Description:

The Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Research & Analysis (MEERA) Group, housed within the Manufacturing Science Division (MSD) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), is currently seeking to fill a position for a R&D Associate Staff member. This role entails engaging in research within the domains of renewable energy and the implementation of clean energy technologies on-site, along with their associated supportive technologies (such as solar photovoltaics, solar thermal systems, wind power, renewable fuels, geothermal solutions, battery storage, thermal storage, and industrial heat pumps). The role also involves research and analysis of technologies and practices for increasing the energy efficiency of the industrial sectors. The primary objective is the direct reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the industrial sector.

The MEERA Group actively contributes to the efforts of the Department of Energy’s Industrial Efficiency & Decarbonization Office (IEDO) in providing technical assistance. The focus of this assistance revolves around identifying and facilitating the deployment of on-site clean energy solutions. These solutions aim to generate energy that is both flexible and dependable, thereby contributing to the reduction of GHG emissions. Furthermore, these efforts align with the overarching goal of promoting corporate sustainability within the industrial sector.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

The prospective candidate will contribute to the efforts of the MEERA Group’s Onsite Technical Analysis (OTA) Team. This involvement will encompass the provision of expertise, research, and analysis concerning the onsite energy program of the DOE IEDO, along with the array of technologies that the program will endorse. Moreover, the selected candidate will play a role in advancing the OTA team’s core mission, which involves conducting comprehensive market analyses to pinpoint opportunities pertaining to onsite energy technologies within the industrial sector. This contribution will extend to informing strategic planning, devising protocols and tools for onsite energy technology assessments, creating and upkeeping tools and resources for the onsite energy program, and providing support for technical assistance, engagements, and related activities.

The candidate's role will primarily revolve around engaging in technical assistance activities, involving collaboration on research and analysis of technologies and methodologies aimed at augmenting the implementation of on-site clean energy within the industrial sector. This assignment might encompass taking the lead on projects, as well as providing support to ORNL program managers and principal investigators involved in IEDO programs and projects, all within a dynamic and fast-paced multitasking environment.

The candidate is anticipated to compose technical reports, create presentations tailored to diverse audiences, publish peer-reviewed papers summarizing the outcomes of technical assistance endeavors, and contribute to periodic progress reports intended for sponsors. Furthermore, the candidate should possess the capacity to work innovatively and harmoniously as an integral member of an interdisciplinary research team.

Additionally, the candidate will have the opportunity to assume leadership roles in projects, collaborate with research personnel and partner organizations on forthcoming research initiatives, establish connections with relevant entities, engage with current sponsors to secure further research funding, and prepare proposals while presenting results to sponsors, peer reviewers, and other stakeholders.

Qualifications:

Basic Qualifications:

• M.S. degree in energy engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, or a related discipline with experience with industry and/or buildings, specifically with the implementation of renewable energy and energy efficiency management and projects is required.

• A minimum of two years of experience in renewable energy and energy efficiency disciplines is required.

• Possess an excellent quantitative and analytical background acquired through research, which can be applied to conduct research analyses on on-site clean energy technologies.

• Demonstrate a profound understanding of renewable and clean energy technologies.

• Showcase experience in the industry and/or buildings sector, with a specific focus on renewable energy, distributed energy resources, and clean energy technologies.

• Familiarity with industrial processes, building science, heating and cooling technologies, and mechanical systems and controls is desirable.

• Possess the capability to perform techno-economic analysis, interpret data, conduct statistical analysis of datasets, visualize spatial data, deliver presentations to diverse audiences, and publish peer-reviewed papers.

• Proficiency in using Excel for engineering data analysis is essential.

• Familiarity with numerical calculation and statistical data analysis techniques is preferred.

• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by encouraging a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous industry experience with a renewable energy developer or renewable energy solutions entity is preferrable.

• Certified Energy Manager (CEM®) or Renewable Energy Professional (REP™) certifications are desired.

• Proven track record in renewable energy modeling and utilization of analysis tools for distributed energy resources (REopt, DER-CAM, DER-VET, Homer, System Advisor Model (SAM), TRNSYS, etc.) is highly advantageous.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills to make weekly presentations to sponsors and others and to prepare reports, proposals, and publications/journal articles is required.

• Strong interpersonal skills to support team building and leadership in addition to a strong commitment to scientific integrity is an important requirement.

• Must be willing to travel. You will be involved in meetings with DOE sponsors in Washington, DC and will attend key conferences and workshops.

ORNL Ethics and Conduct: As a member of the ORNL scientific community, you will be expected to commit to ORNL's Research Code of Conduct. Our full code of conduct and a statement by the Lab Director's office can be found here: https://www.ornl.gov/content/research-integrity

Benefits at ORNL: UT-Battelle offers a quality benefits package, including a matching 401(k), contributory pension plan, paid vacation, and medical/dental plan options. Onsite amenities include a credit union, medical clinic, cafeteria, coffee stands, and fitness facilities.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.