Post-doctoral Research Associate

Rutgers; New Brunswick (NJ); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Paid vacation and holidays

Retirement benefits (defined contrib.)

Educational benefits for employees and

Life insurance

Job summary

Rutgers University’s Center for Urban Policy Research (CUPR) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate focused on grid decarbonization and energy systems in the built environment. The role emphasizes interdisciplinary research across engineering, economics, and public policy with a team of about 20 researchers.

The successful candidate will conduct energy modeling, analyze policy and economic dimensions, and contribute to publications while pursuing independent research.

Qualifications

• PhD required in building sciences, engineering, urban planning, energy economics or related field.
• Experience with whole-building energy modeling tools (EnergyPlus/OpenStudio/DesignBuilder) and community-scale tools (UrbanOpt).
• Strong quantitative skills and ability to document analysis steps clearly.
• Programming ability (Python or R) for data cleaning and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Use advanced energy modeling to analyze energy efficiency, demand flexibility, and electrification in buildings.
• Apply community-scale models to assess high-performance buildings and geothermal systems.
• Assess technical and non-technical barriers to decarbonization in energy systems.
• Analyze codes, standards, and policies related to building decarbonization; perform econometric analyses.
• Analyze utility rates and impacts on households, with emphasis on low- and moderate-income areas.
• Author peer-reviewed publications and public reports; maintain research materials and codebooks.
• Collaborate with ~20 researchers in the CUPR built environment group; pursue independent work when possible.

Skills

Energy modeling

Programming (Python/R)

Data analysis

Strong communication

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in building sciences or related

Tools

EnergyPlus

OpenStudio

UrbanOpt

Regulatory econ tools

Job description

Special Instructions

The position is in-person, with some flexibility for remote work—possibility of renewal for a 2nd year.

Position Information

Recruitment/Posting Title Post-doctoral Research Associate

Salary Details A salary range of $70,000-$90,000 annually.

Offer Information The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university’s broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs

The Center for Urban Policy Research (CUPR) seeks Postdoctoral Associates to support externally funded projects aimed at accelerating building and grid decarbonization for a sustainable energy transition. CUPR has multiple ongoing projects funded by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, the US Department of Energy, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation, and others that include a mix of research design, fieldwork, data science, simulation modeling, writing, and presentations. The overarching goal of the Postdoctoral Associate will be to systematically investigate, evaluate, and address both technical and non-technical (political, behavioral, social) obstacles to building a grid decarbonization. The successful candidate will work with a team of approximately 20 researchers in the built environment group at CUPR and will contribute research skills and training at the intersection of engineering, economics, and public policy with knowledge and experience of buildings and energy systems. Specific postdoc duties will depend on the successful candidate’s skills and interests, matched to project needs, with time allocated to pursue independent, discretionary work.

Responsibilities

• (1) Use advanced energy modeling to analyze energy efficiency, demand flexibility, and electrification measures in the building stock.
• (2) Use advanced community-scale energy models to analyze high-performance buildings and geothermal energy systems.
• (3) Assess technical and non-technical barriers to the adoption of clean energy technologies.
• (4) Conduct analyses of existing codes, standards, and policies related to building decarbonization, including econometric analyses of economic impacts.
• (5) Conduct analyses of utility rates and rate impacts on households and other populations with emphasis on low- and moderate-income populations and affordable housing settings.
• (6) Author peer-reviewed publications and public reports on research findings.
• (7) Maintain a database of research materials, datasets, and codebooks.

Position Status

Full Time

Posting Number

26FA0701

Minimum Education and Experience

Candidates shall have completed all requirements for a PhD in building sciences, engineering, architecture, urban planning, energy or regulatory economics, public informatics, or a related field prior to being hired.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Professional knowledge in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering, architecture, urban planning, regulatory economics, or other fields, as related to building sciences and energy and infrastructure systems
• Advanced experience with whole building energy modeling tools such as Energy Plus, Open Studio, or Design Builder, and community-scale building energy tools such as UrbanOpt; advanced experience with regulatory economics modeling software may be substituted
• Strong quantitative skills, with the ability to leverage these for decarbonization strategies
• Fluency in task automation, data cleaning, and analysis in a programming language, with a preference for Python and/or R
• Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail; the successful candidate will record and share detailed accounts of their efforts (analysis steps, etc.) and participate in regularly scheduled research team meetings
• Strong written and presentation skills; the successful candidate will be involved in producing written reports summarizing research findings and describing research materials and methodology, and assisting in developing proposals for external funding

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with energy policy analysis approaches and methods, including stakeholder interest and conflict analysis, benefit-cost analysis, utility rate development, program evaluation, regulatory policy analysis, and report writing
• Experienced working in multi-disciplinary teams and engaging with diverse stakeholders
• Experienced in social science research methods

Location

Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
33 Livingston Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Pre-employment Screenings & Immunization Requirements

Pre-employment Screenings All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings. Immunization Requirements Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals , if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate’s offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement

Accessibility & Accommodation

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation with regard to your access to and/or your participation in the application and selection processes (for example, the online application process or interviews), please call 848-932-3973 or e-mail us.

Contact Information

Rutgers University is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. If you have trouble accessing this page because of a disability, please contact us at 732.745.7378 or via email at [e-mail].

Rutgers University participates in the E-Verify program as required by law. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

For technical assistance with the applicant tracking system (login, filling out your application, resetting your password, etc.) please contact the ROCS Help Desk at 848-932-4444 or [e-mail].

To learn more about Rutgers University’s commitment to diversity and inclusion on its campuses, click here.

Required Documents

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter/Letter of Application
• List of Professional References (contact Info)

Optional Documents

• Writing Sample 1
• Other Documents (4)
• Other Documents (2)