Energy/Environmental Technology Researcher

The Energy/Environmental Technology Researcher 2/3 (EETR2/EETR3) will develop and deploy next-generation modeling, simulation, and optimization tools for energy and control systems using Modelica and FMI. Responsibilities include contributing to the Modelica Buildings Library, the OpenBuildingControl project, and applications for district energy, data centers, and heat pump/chiller plants using Platform- and Model-Based Design.

Working on an interdisciplinary team, you will extend and apply Modelica/FMI-based computing technologies for HVAC and control simulation, supporting research in rule-based, predictive, and AI-driven control systems.

You will also co-author peer-reviewed publications, help secure funding, and present results at conferences and project meetings.

We're here to bring science solutions to the world. Join our team and YOU will play a supporting role in our goal to address global challenges! Have a high level of impact and work for an organization associated with 17 Nobel Prizes!

Why join Berkeley Lab?

We invest in our employees by offering a total rewards package you can count on:

• Exceptional health and retirement benefits, including pension or 401K-style plans.
• A culture where you'll belong - we are invested in our teams!
• In addition to accruing vacation and sick time, we also have a Winter Holiday Shutdown every year.
• Parental bonding leave (for both mothers and fathers).
• Pet insurance.

EETR2 will:

• Develop and deploy the Modelica Buildings Library and related Modelica/FMI-based tools.
• Research and apply these technologies to buildings, district energy systems, and data centers.
• Advance Platform-Based Design and AI applications for energy systems.
• Develop object-oriented, equation-based simulation models and control algorithms.
• Integrate domain-specific tools for rapid prototyping and whole-system lifecycle analysis.
• Publish in high-impact journals, present at conferences, and collaborate with industry.
• Support applied projects, proposal development, and solve complex technical problems.

In addition to Above, EETR3 will:

• Lead development and deployment of the Modelica Buildings Library and related Modelica/FMI tools.
• Conduct advanced research applying these technologies to buildings, district energy, and data centers.
• Drive Platform-Based Design for energy systems.
• Publish in high-impact journals, present at conferences, and collaborate with industry.
• Lead smaller projects or serve as a senior contributor on large efforts.
• Contribute to or lead proposal development and solve complex problems creatively.

Additional Responsibilities as needed:

• May lead small proposals or contribute to larger ones.
• May supervise staff.
• Engage external partners on programmatic matters.
• Eligible for full PI status upon approval and required training completion.

Requirements for EETR2:

• 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.
• Demonstrated expertise in system modeling, simulation, building sciences and controls through journal and conference publications.
• Demonstrated expertise in HVAC systems for buildings or districts, and in controls.
• Strong working knowledge of heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and thermodynamics.
• Experience in software development.
• Experience developing mathematical models for building energy simulation and optimization. Demonstrated strong skills in developing models in languages and simulators for systems of differential algebraic equations in the domain of energy and control systems.
• Excellent knowledge of building science, controls, and of numerical methods for optimization and simulation.
• Excellent knowledge of programming languages, preferably Modelica, C/C++ and Python.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated expertise in working on multiple tasks and projects.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively in teams, including internal and external collaborations.

In addition to Above, EETR3:

• Typically requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience with a bachelor's degree; or 6 years and a master's degree; or a PhD degree with 3 years of experience; or equivalent work experience.

Desired skills/knowledge:

• Advanced degree in mechanical engineering, controls, computer science, architectural engineering or a related building science field.
• Demonstrated expertise with development of large software packages.
• Demonstrated experience working with real systems.
• Demonstrated experience managing project timelines, budget, and/or personnel.