Community Energy Systems Researcher

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

About The Position

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget. Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus. The Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation’s power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management. The Coastal Sciences Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, is headquartered at PNNL-Sequim, on Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula. Our unique facility is the Department of Energy’s only marine research laboratory, and the capabilities of its researchers deliver science and technology critical to the nation’s energy, environmental, and security future. We focus on research related to marine and coastal resources, environmental chemistry, water resources modeling, marine engineering, environmental modeling and monitoring, and national security—the division is an emerging leader in three areas: Enabling sustainable development of ocean energy Understanding and mitigating long-term impacts of human activities, including climate change, on marine resources Protecting coastal environments from security threats. The position will primarily support community driven design for coastal communities. Responsibilities will include leading tasks in projects such as the Energy Technology Innovation Partnership Project (ETIPP) and Energy to Communities project (E2C). Familiarity with marine energy (e.g., wave, tidal, ocean current), design thinking, community engagement and energy planning is required. The position may also require familiarity with shoreside infrastructure, such as microgrids and transmission, ports, and supply chain issues. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to advance their skills in developing approaches and tools to understand and respond to the needs of rural communities engaging in energy planning. Studies the geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, atmosphere, and/or interactions of these systems with human activities. Uses scientific principles, instrument measurements, computer models, data analysis, and knowledge of policy and regulatory drivers to study the environment and/or develop solutions to environmental problems. Leverages knowledge and tools from fields such as ecology, biology, physics, chemistry, geochemistry, soil science, geology, hydrology, atmospheric science, economics, and/or integrated assessment.

Requirements

BS/BA and 2 years of relevant experience -OR-
MS/MA -OR-
PhD

Nice To Haves

PhD in engineering, environmental policy, or related field
Familiarity with marine energy, design thinking, community engagement and energy planning
Demonstrated interest and ability to publish work in peer-reviewed journals
Experience working with collaborators with diverse backgrounds and interdisciplinary teams
Familiarity with community engagement
Familiarity with design methodology
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Ability to work independently as well as with a team of interdisciplinary researchers

Responsibilities

Review and synthesize literature, case studies, and tools related to these topics
Collaborate with an interdisciplinary research team at PNNL and other national laboratories to advance modeling approaches and tools for community-driven energy transitions
Lead and contribute to scientific, peer-reviewed publications
Define and lead project work
Network with other professionals at PNNL, in the communities that participate in ETIPP and E2C, and with other energy professionals in the broader community
Lead and contribute to proposals to advance this field of research

Benefits

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

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