Postdoctoral Research Associate - Energy Efficiency Engineer

Requisition Id 12963 

Purpose:

The Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Research & Analysis (MEERA) Group in the Manufacturing Science Division (MSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking applicants for a postdoctoral research associate position in energy efficiency and decarbonization for the industry sector. This position augments ORNL's industrial energy efficiency and decarbonization team, which operates in support of DOE's Better Plants and Better Climate Challenge programs. The mission of the MEERA group is to research, analyze, and disseminate knowledge on energy, carbon, water, and material efficiency in the manufacturing sector and to develop, deploy, and promote impactful practices, tools, and technologies. The MEERA group is a part of ORNL’s Manufacturing Science Division in the Energy Science and Technology Directorate.

 

Through its energy efficiency & decarbonization technical assistance programs, the MEERA group develops a diverse portfolio of industrial energy efficiency tools and resources delivered to the manufacturing sector through various technical assistance and training events worldwide. The MEERA group actively supports industry partners in improving manufacturing plant energy efficiency and decarbonization through roles in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Plants and Better Climate Challenge programs.  

 

Main Duties/Responsibilities:

• The successful candidate will assist principal investigators and lead energy efficiency technology deployment projects as part of an expanding program.
• The candidate’s work will be focused on technical assistance and research related to improved energy management in existing industrial facilities during their operational phase. Additionally, you will provide support to the U.S. DOE’s Industrial Efficiency & Decarbonization Office (IEDO) programs.
• IEDO operates under the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).
• There may also be opportunities to work on international energy efficiency programs. IEDO’s Technology Partnerships subprogram presently collaborates with some of the largest manufacturing plants in the United States through the DOE’s Better Buildings, Better Plants Program.
• The postdoctoral associate will collaborate on research and analysis of technologies and practices for increasing the energy efficiency of the industrial and buildings sectors.
• The assignment will involve leading projects and supporting ORNL program managers and principal investigators on IEDO programs and projects in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment.
• The IEDO project work includes supporting activities under the DOE’s Better Buildings, Better Plants program.
• Activities would include acting as a technical account manager for key companies, interfacing with corporate energy managers, visiting manufacturing sites, analyzing technologies, assisting industrial clients to improve energy management practices, and performing energy data benchmarking and analysis studies.
• The postdoc work may also include writing technical reports to summarize the results of technical assistance activities and contributing to periodic progress reports for sponsors.
• The candidate should have the ability to work creatively and cooperatively as a member of an interdisciplinary research team.
• Deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by fostering a respectful workplace - in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

 

The candidate will have the opportunity to lead projects, collaborate with research staff and partner organizations on future research initiatives, network with related organizations, interact with existing sponsors in pursuit of additional research funding, and prepare proposals and present results to sponsors, peer reviewers, and others. 

 

Basic Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, industrial engineering, or a related discipline completed within the last 5 years.

• Experience in industry and/or buildings, specifically in energy efficiency management and projects.

• Proficiency in the use of Excel for engineering data reduction and analysis is essential.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with mechanical engineering modeling and analysis tools is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of industrial processes, building science, energy savings performance contracts, heating and cooling technologies, and mechanical systems and controls is desired.
• Familiarity with numerical calculation and statistical data analysis techniques is desired.

• Certified