Energy/Environmental Technology Researcher

at  Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s (LBNL) Building Technologies (BT) Department, which creates and disseminates cutting-edge technologies aimed at propelling energy efficiency and enhancing load flexibility within buildings, has an opening for a Energy/Environmental Technology Researcher (EETR2) position.
In this exciting role, you will provide technical expertise and scientific support in two research areas for development, implementation, and evaluation of (1) advanced FDD and control tools (including both model predictive control (MPC) and machine-learning) for building HVAC and district energy systems, and (2) modeling tools (Modelica-, FMI- and python-based) for central heating/cooling plants and heat pump/air conditioner equipment . The EETR2, with working knowledge in HVAC systems, and software development and distribution, will perform laboratory and field tests, and collaborate with multi-disciplinary research and development teams including researchers within and outside LBNL.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Advanced degree (such as M.S. or Ph.D.) in mechanical engineering, controls, computer science, architectural engineering or a related building science field.
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WHAT YOU WILL DO:

• Independently investigate state-of-the-art algorithms and tools in the fields of FDD, MPC, optimization and machine learning.
• Independently develop, distribute and manage HVAC simulation, FDD and advanced control tools for grid-interactive-efficient buildings using the Modelica, FMI standards, and/or python.
• Evaluate the HVAC simulation, FDD & advanced control tool(s) using Modelica- and FMI-based simulation platform.
• Deploy, implement and evaluate those tools at laboratory environment and field sites.
• Under general direction, provide technical knowledge in the evaluation, distribution and management of heat pump/air conditioner equipment modeling tools for using the Modelica, FMI standards, and/or python.
• Able to solve difficult technical issues and research problems in the field of building science.
• Publish research results in journals.
• Present findings at national and international conferences, and work with industry on testing and deploying the research.
• Contribute to securing funding for the development of new control & equipment technologies for building and district HVAC systems.
• Collaborate with the project team on developing central heating/cooling plant & heat pump/air conditioner equipment modeling tools and conducting psychrometric chamber tests.
• Design and development of the test setup for experimental apparatus and controls to meet the research projects’ functional requirements.
• Provide technical support to the PIs with experimental design and documentation.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES AS NEEDED:

• May supervise the software development and laboratory test activities of exempt and nonexempt personnel.