Postdoctoral Research Associate - Urban Energy Modeling, Grid-interactive Controls

UT-Battelle; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

UT-Battelle’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to advance urban-scale energy modeling and community energy planning. You will work in the Grid Interactive Control Group within the Energy Systems Integration division to address sustainability and resilience in urban energy systems.

Responsibilities include developing equity-based planning frameworks, evaluating multi-energy-system integration, and delivering plans that engage stakeholders and communities.

Qualifications

• PhD in mechanical engineering, computer science, or related field completed within the last 5 years.
• Experience in urban-scale building energy modeling (RDD&D).
• Experience planning and designing community projects including electrification and decarbonization.
• Familiarity with OpenStudio and EnergyPlus building energy models.
• Strong software development skills for automation in version-controlled environments.
• Excellent communication and public presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on urban planning, transportation, and grid integration for sustainability and resilience.
• Develop equity-based planning principles for diverse urban environments.
• Evaluate multi-energy-system solutions for regulatory compliance and standards.
• Develop and implement public engagement and outreach plans for community energy system integration.

Skills

Urban energy modeling

OpenStudio

EnergyPlus

Geospatial tools

Agile/SCRUM

Public engagement

Communication

Teamwork

Education

PhD in mechanical engineering, computer science, or related field

Tools

ArcGIS

Cesium

Job description

Overview

Requisition Id 17142

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate who will focus on urban-scale energy modeling. This position resides in the Grid Interactive Control Group in the Energy Systems Integration section, Electrification and Energy Infrastructure Division, Energy Science and Technology Directorate, at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

Major Duties/Responsibilities

• Conduct research and create innovative ideas and solutions for urban planning, transportation, and grid integration issues, focusing on sustainability and resilience.
• Develop innovative equity-based planning principles and frameworks that can be applied to various urban environments.
• Monitor and evaluate multi-energy-system integration solutions to ensure they comply with regulations and standards.
• Develop and implement public engagement and outreach plans for community energy system integration.
• Establish and maintain relationships with stakeholders and community members to ensure alignment with community needs and goals.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications

• A PhD in mechanical engineering, computer science, or a related field completed within the last 5 years.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven RDD&D experience in urban-scale building energy modeling.
• Experience planning and designing solutions for a variety of community projects, including community electrification and decarbonization.
• Understanding for creating, modifying, and analyzing OpenStudio and EnergyPlus building energy models.
• Strong software development skills for automation of many knowledge-based tasks in a version-controlled environment.
• Strong strategic planning, community engagement, communication, and public presentation skills.
• Prepare technical solutions, reports, and visuals to support a variety of planning project types, including transportation/grid, environmental, community, equity, and sustainability planning.
• Excellent communication skills for conveying technical material to both scientists and non-scientists in both written and oral presentations.
• Self-disciplined work ethic and eagerness to tackle challenging research problems
• Strong desire to work in a team environment.
• Excellent analytical skills with high attention to detail.
• Experience with geospatial data visualization tools such as ArcGIS, Cesium, or similar.
• Familiarity with urban-scale building energy modeling/analysis.
• Experience working in Agile/SCRUM teams.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Motivated and conscientious self-starter with the ability to work independently, follow-up on all action items, and participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.

Special Requirements

Applicants cannot have received their Ph.D. more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment. The appointment length will be up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and availability of funding.

For Foreign National Candidates

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.

About ORNL

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience. Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required. Additionally, ORNL 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 mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

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.