R&D Associate - Economics

Oak Ridge National Laboratory•Oak Ridge, TN

About The Position

Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Integrated Building Deployment and Analysis Group, in partnership with the University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute, seeks an early-career economist to research the factors driving construction costs and identify technologies, markets, and workforce needs that can help make buildings affordable. The work is part of a multidisciplinary initiative developing technologies for the affordable manufacturing of energy-efficient, resilient buildings. Short-term research will identify modest changes to existing technologies or approaches that the construction industry is likely to adopt; long-term research will identify major technical opportunities for the initiative’s fellows to pursue. The successful candidate will be an ORNL staff member and UT-ORII Fellow, with a Joint-Research Faculty appointment at the University of Tennessee. The role involves collaborating with ORNL and UT researchers, helping shape research programs, and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students. The fellow will have access to research networks, seminars, training, and collaborative opportunities across both institutions.

Requirements

Ph.D. in economics, with a background in building technology assessments and affordability.
At least 2 years of relevant work experience.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Strong interpersonal skills to support team building.
Ability to work and demonstrate critical thinking individually and as part of a diverse team.
Ability to develop and/or maintain strong relationships through active participation in professional societies.
Motivated self-starter able to work independently and participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
For employment, a Real ID-compliant form of identification is required.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card, requiring a favorable post-employment background investigation and successful completion of a Federal Tier 1 background check. Foreign national candidates who have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years must obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only risk determination until eligible for a PIV credential.
Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation.

Nice To Haves

Strong, proven publication record in the assessment of building technologies.
Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines, and adapt to changing needs.
Familiarity with DOE’s State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP).

Responsibilities

Conduct research on technologies needed to make new building construction and existing-building retrofits affordable, energy-efficient, and resilient.
Collaborate in multidisciplinary teams.
Develop and implement techno-economic analyses.
Interact and collaborate with researchers from universities, national laboratories, and private industry.
Present research results to ORNL staff, DOE, industry, and academia through invited talks, conference papers, and high-impact-factor peer-reviewed journal papers.
Contribute ideas and help assemble proposals relevant to the UT-ORII Convergent Research Initiative.
Ensure compliance with environmental, safety, health, and program requirements.
Maintain commitment to ORNL’s core values and ethics.
Align behaviors, priorities, and interactions with ORNL’s values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service.
Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace.
Guide and inspire graduate and undergraduate students.