Job Details

Research Professional

The Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Division is seeking an Energy/Environmental Policy Researcher (EEPR2) to join the Renewable Energy team within the Energy Markets and Policy Department. The Energy Markets & Policy (EMP) Department informs public and private decision-making within the U.S. energy sector through an independent, interdisciplinary analysis of critical electricity policy and market issues.

In this exciting role, you will conduct research on the permitting of large-scale energy projects, with an emphasis on geothermal energy, including enhanced geothermal technologies. Specifically, but not limited to, the research will involve investigating the timelines and outcomes of the myriad permitting processes for large-scale energy projects. It is expected that the researcher will conduct interviews and potentially focus groups with key stakeholders, and synthesize the information learned from these activities into findings and key insights. The research will likely involve traveling to a diverse set of US locales to collect information from various record keepers. A key goal of this work is to better understand where examples exist and to document best practices of innovations to permitting processes that increase the speed and scale of deployment.

The position involves collaborating with extensive and diverse groups of researchers, including highly credentialed academics both domestically and internationally, as well as key industry and non-profit organizations. The position is also responsible for disseminating the results through presentations and conference papers. They will also contribute to or co-author peer-reviewed journal articles and reports. The EEPR2 may provide technical guidance, support, and supervision to research staff.

What You Will Do:

• Use the full understanding of permitting, specifically large-scale geothermal project permitting, to research and document the various permitting processes that existing and not-yet-permitted geothermal and other energy projects need to reach commercial operation.
• Develop a relational database schema for collecting and storing research data on the timelines and outcomes of large-scale geothermal project permitting processes.
• Collect detailed data on the timelines and outcomes of the myriad permitting processes for large-scale geothermal energy, including managing others to do so.
• Develop and interact with a set of technical advisors and/or policy stakeholders who will provide guidance at various times during the research project.
• As needed, conduct interviews and in-person data collection activities to infill data not available online.
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative analyses on the collected data to identify evidence of faster and more certain outcomes of these processes.
• Develop well-researched policy analyses of the processes to document opportunities for greater adoption of faster and more certain permitting outcomes, potentially drawing upon conducted interviews and focus groups of key stakeholders involved in these processes.
• Prepare drafts of written materials, such as PowerPoints, memos, briefs, and reports on research results, and potentially co-author journal articles and conference papers.
• Provide, ideally in person, technical assistance to data collection research partners at Amherst, MA, Washington, DC, and Berkeley, CA.
• Prepare and present technical analysis to a public audience, policy stakeholders, peers, and funders.
• Contribute to the preparation and submission of research proposals

Additional Responsibilities as needed:

• May supervise the activities of personnel.

What is Required:

• Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience with a bachelor's degree; or 3 years and a master's degree; or a PhD degree without experience; or equivalent work experience.
• Education and or experience related to energy policy, and ideally permitting of large-scale energy and including federal, state, and local regulatory and legislative policies and processes.
• Demonstrated experience developing and leading projects with limited direction and potentially including managing research partners.
• Substantial knowledge of federal, state, and local permitting processes of large-scale energy sources, ideally also including geothermal energy projects.
• Demonstrated familiarity with the collection, cleaning, and storage or permitting process timeline and outcome data, including the management of others to perform these tasks.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and work with complex spreadsheets and database programs to perform analyses using large amounts of information on complex subjects from diverse sources of data and other sources.
• Demonstrated proficiency in MS Office, especially MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with limited supervision and collaborate effectively with a team of researchers.
• Demonstrated ability to meet tight deliverable deadlines with high-quality results and adapt to rapidly changing work demands.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including a demonstrated ability to present analytical methods and results to a non-specialist audience.
• Strong attention to detail.

Desired Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (e.g., M.S.) in public policy or related field.
• Experience in collecting and analyzing large-scale energy permitting data.
• Demonstrated policy brief, report, or fact sheet writing as lead or co-author.
• Familiarity with basic principles and tools for data management, including SQL.

For full consideration, please apply by November 15 with the following application materials:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

This is a full-time, one-year term appointment with the possibility of extension or conversion to a Career appointment based on satisfactory job performance, the continuing availability of funds, and ongoing operational needs.

The full salary range for this position is $113,256 - $169,986 The budgeted salary range that the Lab reasonably expects to pay for this position is $119,563.2 - $132,148.80. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate's qualification and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, and certifications, and also aligned with the internal peer group.

This position is 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.

This position is eligible for a flexible work mode, with onsite or hybrid work being the preferred modes, though full-time telework or remote work modes may be considered. Hybrid work is a combination of teleworking and performing work on-site at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. Individuals working a hybrid schedule must reside within 150 miles of Berkeley Lab. Work schedules are dependent on business needs. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Berkeley Lab is a University of California employer. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.