Energy/Environmental Policy Researcher (Located on the East Coast)

Berkeley Lab’s Electricity Markets and Policy Group conducts seminal research on the intersection between large-scale renewable energy deployment and host communities.

The Energy/Environmental Policy Researcher (EEPR2) will develop and apply social science research methods related to the social and economic impacts and acceptance of large-scale offshore wind (OSW) on the East Coast. The EEPR2 will lead community-based research with a specific focus on the interaction between OSW and coastal tourism. Utilizing various methods (e.g., longitudinal surveys, interviews, focus groups and, potentially, econometric analysis), the research will examine the real and perceived positive and negative social and economic impacts of OSW on communities of individuals and practitioners in contact with it. The research will also involve working directly with individuals involved in coastal tourism and other aspects of the blue economy to examine in detail how the potential and then actual existence of OSW has affected their outcomes. Ultimately, a key goal of this work is to explore ways in which the OSW energy transition can better align with hosting communities’ and practitioners’ goals, opportunities, and values.

Working with an interdisciplinary team of researchers, you will help define the needs of the research project and determine appropriate methods to satisfy technical objectives. You will lead research tasks, potentially including gathering and processing data, performing analyses, developing analytical and modeling tools, and working directly with affected communities.

You will work with a team of researchers both inside and outside the lab.

The position requires candidates to be physically located within 50 miles of the Eastern Seaboard between Boston and Norfolk, VA.

What You Will Do:

• Use full understanding of energy social science to conduct policy-relevant research and analysis of energy/environmental systems or lead projects of moderate scope that include advanced energy/economic social science policy research (e.g. longitudinal panel survey of public sentiment towards renewable energy).
• Develop or direct the development of survey instruments and interview guides, including, potentially programing the instrument in Qualtrics.
• Exercise judgment within generally defined procedures and practices to define the needs of projects or tasks and determine appropriate methods to satisfy technical objectives.
• Work with East Coast communities, and specifically those involved in the blue economy or coastal tourism.
• Organize and work with large potentially amounts of data using various types of software (such as statistical analysis software, e.g. R, STATA), spreadsheets, and programs to perform analyses.
• Draft written reports detailing analysis methods and results.
• Prepare and present technical analysis to a public audience, policy stakeholders, and peers.
• Interact with collaborators, researchers, and/or practitioners to gather necessary data for conducting research and analysis.
• Interact with funders and collaborators on technical issues.

Additional Responsibilities as needed:

• Conduct econometric analysis of coastal tourism outcomes.
• Interact with funders on research project-related issues.
• Contribute to research funding proposals of future work.
• Lead technical reports.

What is Required:

• Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience with a bachelor’s degree; or 3 years and a master’s degree; or a PhD degree without experience; or equivalent work experience.
• Substantial experience with coastal communities, the blue economy and/or coastal tourism.
• Strong knowledge of, and experience with, social science (sociology, psychology, public policy, or economics) using longitudinal surveys, interviews, and/or focus groups.
• Demonstrated knowledge of coastal tourism, OSW energy development and/or the blue economy.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and work with complex spreadsheets and/or database programs to perform analyses using large amounts of information from diverse sources of data.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the development of survey instruments and/or interview guides.
• Demonstrated proficiency in MS Office, especially MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with limited supervision and collaborate effectively with a team of researchers.
• Demonstrated ability to meet tight deliverable deadlines with high-quality results and adapt to rapidly changing work demands.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including a demonstrated ability to present analytical methods and results to a non-specialist audience.

Desired Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (e.g., M.S. or PhD) in energy social science, sociology, psychology, public policy, economics, statistics, or related field.
• Specific experience in research and analysis of public response or social acceptance of infrastructure.
• Experience applying data management tools in the context of energy, economic, environmental, market and/or technical research and analysis (e.g., regression analysis, difference-in-difference estimation).
• Experience with social and policy aspects of offshore wind development on the U.S. East Coast.
• Experience with mixed-method research projects (e.g. combination of econometrics, surveys, and qualitative fieldwork or interviews).
• Experience with community-based participatory research.
• Has regular access to reliable transportation.

For full consideration please apply by October 25, 2024 with the following application materials:

• Resume and cover letter

Notes:

• This is a full time, 1 year, term appointment with the possibility of extension or conversion to Career appointment based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs.
• The full salary range for this position is $110,928.00 – $166,392.00 The budgeted salary range that the Lab reasonably expects to pay for this position is $117,100.80 – $129,427.20. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, and certifications, and also aligned with the internal peer group.
• This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• The position is eligible for remote work with the work being primarily performed on the Eastern Seaboard between Boston and Norfolk, VA. Individuals must reside within 50 miles of the Eastern Seaboard between Boston and Norfolk, VA. Work schedules are dependent on business needs.