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Pacific Northwest National Laboratory PhD Intern - Building Energy Efficiency Research in Topeka, Kansas

Overview

The Electricity Infrastructure and Buildings Division of PNNL is accelerating the transition to a decarbonized, efficient, resilient, and secure energy system through basic and applied research. We leverage a strong technical foundation in power and energy systems and in advanced data analytics to drive innovation, transform markets, and shape energy policy.

PNNL’s Buildings Systems Group performs applied research to enhance the energy and water efficiency, occupant productivity, and resilient operation of buildings and their connected energy and water systems. Our core research capabilities span building performance evaluation, building control system optimization, building technology measurement, validation, and demonstration, and site-level assessment and planning for energy and water resilience. We work closely with over 300 subject matter experts across the broader Electricity Infrastructure & Buildings Division to support the Nation’s transition to a sustainable, efficient, resilient, and secure energy system through innovation and actionable solutions.

Responsibilities

We are seeking a candidate that is currently pursuing their PhD with an interest in conducting research in building systems, social science, and providing technical support in building sustainability. The potential areas of work include buildings decarbonization, occupant-centric behavioral and decision-making study, and systems integration planning for the residential sector. The successful candidate will have a background in social psychology, energy systems, and/or social-science applications of occupant behavior to building systems. The successful candidate will support a group of researchers investigating decision-making in homes, utilizing large datasets. Specific tasks will assist the project team with background research, data analysis, writing technical reports, and methods development.

The successful candidate will be accountable to: Project and/or Task Managers for performing assigned roles, following applicable project and field procedures, and performance of assigned tasks on time and within budget; and the Building Systems Group Leader, for staff development, performance evaluation, and operational discipline (e.g., safe operations). The candidate will apply basic engineering and scientific theories to conduct work that supports the selection and development of technical approaches to complex problems with oversight.

The individual will be expected to support our scientists, engineers, and analysts on tasks and projects; support the generation of new ideas for and contributes technical content for small to medium proposals; supports scoping, scheduling, and budgeting for tasks; demonstrates ability to follow guidance, coaching, and mentoring; perform research, development, and analysis tasks with a high degree of quality, attention to detail, safety, and security awareness. In this position, the individual will collaborate with one or more principal investigators of current work, and directly contribute to one or more technical papers suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.

Candidate Expectations:

  • Be able to devote 8-10 hours per week to the internship.

  • Have an interest in learning to conduct comprehensive building evaluations to identify and recommend solutions to improve efficiency, sustainability, and/or resilience of energy or water systems.

  • Have an interest in analyzing data related to occupant preference, decision-making and social science applications of energy efficiency.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Candidates must be currently enrolled/matriculated in a PhD program at an accredited college.

  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Area of study includes social psychology, sociology, building science or engineering with a focus on occupant interactions with building systems.

  • Experience in analyzing data related to occupant preference, decision-making and social science applications of energy efficiency.

  • Intermediate programming skills for data analysis (prefer proficiency in R).

  • Demonstrate a collaborative approach to problem-solving and the ability to work well with geographically distributed and interdisciplinary teams.

  • Demonstrate the ability to write concisely and clearly.

  • Possess a passion for learning and innovation to advance building energy efficiency and sustainability.

  • Willingness to travel domestically for field work or to present at conferences.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

Not Applicable

Testing Designated Position

This is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).

About PNNL

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!

At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, flexible work schedules and telework options. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or 3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.

Commitment to Excellence, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Equal Employment Opportunity

Our laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment dedicated to solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. In support of this commitment, we encourage people of all racial/ethnic identities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers@pnnl.gov .

Drug Free Workplace

PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.

HSPD-12 PIV Credential Requirement

In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

Mandatory Requirements

Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.

Rockstar Rewards

Regular Hourly:

Employees are offered an employee assistance program and business travel insurance. Employees are eligible for the company funded pension plan and 401k savings plan, once eligibility requirements are met.

Temporary Hourly:

Employees are offered an employee assistance program and business travel insurance.

Click Here For Rockstar Rewards (https://careers.pnnl.gov/rockstar-rewards)

Notice to Applicants

PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual’s relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.

As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.

Minimum Salary

USD $22.93/Hr.

Maximum Salary

USD $35.00/Hr.

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