Postdoctoral Fellow (Electricity Markets & Policy)

Berkeley Lab’s Energy Analysis and Environment Impacts (EAEI) Division has an opening for a Postdoctoral Fellow to join their Electricity Markets & Policy Group!

In this role, you will conduct research related to dynamic electricity tariffs, automated building control technologies, and other strategies for achieving electrical load flexibility, with a focus on how these technologies and strategies can support growing renewable energy generation on the electricity grid in California and elsewhere. Research projects may provide direct support to regulatory policy decision-makers. 

You will conceptualize and carry out analysis and modeling based on measured and/or simulated energy consumption data at both the building and the grid-system level, to estimate the potential impacts and benefits of electrical load flexibility and dynamic tariffs, both to utility customers and to the electrical grid. 

We are looking for a talented researcher who enjoys performing rigorous and detailed analysis, and presenting the results to non-academic audiences in the context of real-world policy implications, in addition to more traditional academic audiences.

What You Will Do:

• Conduct research and develop tools for modeling utility-customer load flexibility, including historical customer responsiveness to varying prices (elasticity) and the potential impacts of different types of automation and control technology.
• Conduct research into the impact of dynamic electricity tariffs on customer electricity bills, utility revenues, and building and grid-system load shapes.
• Conduct research into the impacts of electrical load flexibility on utility-system costs and emissions.
• Develop reusable, extensible, and well-documented software tools for analysis and modeling to support ongoing research efforts.
• Manage and organize large datasets on customer energy consumption.
• Publish research results in white papers, reports, and academic journals.
• Present findings at stakeholder meetings, regulatory agency workshops, and academic conferences.

What is Required:

• A recent Ph.D. in Engineering, Energy and Resources, Economics, or a related field. 
• Demonstrated experience in data analysis and mathematical modeling related to electricity consumption in buildings or power grids.
• Strong knowledge of at least one programming language appropriate for analysis of large datasets, preferably Python.
• Experience managing and analyzing large datasets.
• Facility working in a Linux computing environment and experience with modern software development tools (e.g., git).
• Basic familiarity with all, and demonstrated expertise in one or more, of the following topics:
  • Building science, including controls technologies for various electrical end uses.
  • The functioning and operation of electricity grids and wholesale electricity markets.
  • Characteristics of different electricity generation technologies.
  • The regulatory frameworks governing electrical utilities in the United States.
  • Demand response, including program designs, strategies, and relevant technologies.
  • Principles of electricity rate design.
  • Energy economics, especially as it relates to electricity demand.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills including the ability to conduct independent research. 
• Strong presentation skills including a demonstrated record of successful publication in academic journals.

What We Prefer:

• Experience with production-cost or capacity-expansion modeling.
• Experience working with structured databases and knowledge of SQL.
• Interest in performing research that engages with and supports policymaking and regulatory processes.

For full consideration, please apply by August 10, 2021, with the following application materials:

• Cover Letter - Describe your interest in this position and the relevance of your background.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume.

Notes:

• This is a full-time, M-F, exempt from overtime pay (monthly paid), 1 year, postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds, and ongoing operational needs.  You must have less than 4 years of paid postdoctoral experience. 
• Salary for postdoctoral positions depends on years of experience post-degree and is predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates.
• This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.
• 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.
• Due to COVID-19, this position will initially be performed remotely but limited to individuals who can reside in the United States. Once Berkeley Lab resumes full onsite operations, work may resume onsite at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA.

Learn About Us:

Berkeley Lab (LBNL) addresses the world’s most urgent scientific challenges by advancing sustainable energy, protecting human health, creating new materials, and revealing the origin and fate of the universe. Founded in 1931, Berkeley Lab’s scientific expertise has been recognized with 13 Nobel prizes. The University of California manages Berkeley Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.

The EAEI Division focuses on three broad areas: Energy Markets, Policy, and Infrastructure; Energy and Environmental Systems Analysis; and Appliance and Equipment Standards.  We develop analytical and experimental methods and tools to assess the technical, economic, and market potential of energy technologies, as well as the associated social, economic, health, and environmental impacts.

Berkeley Lab’s Postdoc Program is committed to providing Postdoctoral Researchers and Visiting scholars with a positive and impactful experience to jump-start their career through premium research and career development, networking opportunities, mentoring programs, and strong community.  For more information, please visit our Berkeley Lab Postdoc Resources site and our Berkeley Lab Postdoc Association site.

Berkeley Lab is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability (IDEA) and strives to hire individuals who share these same values and commitments.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. Click here to view the poster and supplement: "Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law."