Sustainability Research Analyst - Facilities & Services

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign•Urbana, IL

23d

About The Position

The Sustainability Research Analyst facilitates research, teaching, and engagement between Facilities & Services (F&S) and academic units at the University of Illinois. The role responds to research and student inquiries, provides scientific analysis for grant applications, participates in educational courses and programs, and collaborates with university research partners. The analyst builds partnerships, supports collaborative research and funding efforts, develops online educational resources, and works with students, faculty, staff, and community members to identify and scientifically evaluate safe, sustainable solutions for implementation through F&S. The position also supports campus sustainability and transportation initiatives, including research into campus sustainability infrastructure, development of science-based goals aligned with Science Based Targets Initiative protocols, and oversight of the Bike at Illinois annual program and bicycle infrastructure fee projects. The analyst presents findings, supports transportation infrastructure projects, promotes interdisciplinary research, and maintains related online information. Work takes place in a typical office environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology, Bioprocessing, Bioenergy, Engineering, or another related field.
At least one year (12 months) of education, training, and/or work experience in a research setting.

Responsibilities

Provide scientific analysis, data, and best practices to University of Illinois and peer R1 institution researchers, serving as the primary F&S contact for scientists, translational research, and teachers.
Track research requests, issues, and progress toward solutions, and research and scientifically quantify safe and sustainable solutions for implementation through F&S.
Co-instruct the Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) 190 Project Based Learning course, including attending weekly faculty team meetings, advising students about campus facilities and procedures, and teaching project implementation principles and requirements.
Mentor student teams by explaining project management protocols; guide student researchers and provide data, research protocols, and access to subject matter experts.
Provide guidance for student capstone projects, class inquiries, and research teams, and supervise and guide student employees.
Research and analyze campus sustainability infrastructure and identify science-based goals for campus sustainability plans that meet Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTI) protocols.
Present findings at conferences, seminars, and stakeholder groups.
Identify F&S stakeholders, facilitate meetings with department heads, and seek leadership direction on appropriate stakeholders.
Serve as a point of contact for collaboration partners regarding funding and needs, and provide regular status and results reporting.
Provide customer service to campus community members served by F&S.
Manage the Bike at Illinois annual program, including implementing program priorities and setting goals and objectives for student interns.
Oversee bicycle programming and bicycle infrastructure fee (Bike Fee) projects, including bicycle infrastructure improvements and efforts to secure additional funding.
Serve as a guest lecturer in campus courses on topics related to academic collaborations with F&S, including bioenergy, fleet transition, energy efficiency, and clean energy.
Promote interdisciplinary research initiatives with F&S and raise awareness of programs related to energy, transportation, and green infrastructure through events, engagement activities, and online information.
Serve on campus research and engagement committees, such as Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP) topical teams, and update related webpages, including the iCAP Portal and F&S Sustainability pages.
Research sustainable transportation innovations and scientifically based approaches to reducing the university’s transportation infrastructure carbon footprint.
Assist Transportation Demand Management (TDM) with initiating transportation infrastructure projects, ensuring timely implementation, and communicating with customers.
Support the Mission, Vision, Values, and Guiding Principles of Facilities & Services.