Wind Energy Research Analyst – Policy and Finance

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Job Description

NREL’s National Wind Technology Center has an immediate opening for a Researcher conducting wind specific economic, policy, and financial analysis spanning land-based, distributed, offshore and hybrid power applications. More specifically, the Wind Energy Research Analyst – Policy and Finance role is to lead and/or contribute to technical, economic, and other scientific research and analysis on wind and hybrid energy systems, with a specific focus on economic and financial policy . In service of the role, candidates should have a robust understanding of wind energy technologies , economics, and project finance ; awareness of power markets and their respective policies is also beneficial. The successful candidate will contribute as a researcher advancing development and deployment of hybrid, hydrogen and storage systems for a research team that may include staff at various levels .

The researcher will work closely with an interdisciplinary team of experienced NREL researchers and support a variety of customers including the US Department of Energy Wind Energy Technologies Office. The individual will also work collaboratively with inter-laboratory and U.S. and international stakeholders responsible for accelerating the development of hybrid energy systems in the United States. Candidates must have experience in the execution of projects that advance the science and/or implementation of wind or hybrid power systems.

Responsibilities

As a researcher and/or project leader, the duties could include:

• Develop unique insights into how policy (economic, permitting and siting) can impact wind and hybrid energy technology development and deployment, and assist the team in translating these insights into usable systems engineering software tools which can map the impact of these policies.
• Design, develop, propose, and guide execution for integrated hybrid energy systems to give insight into how specific energy technologies operate within larger systems and de-risk energy conversion and storage technologies.
• Lead and contribute to project technical work that is high impact, and visible; support strategic development and direction.
• Collaborate and coordinate with laboratory and DOE partners including universities, industry and other federal agencies.
• Develop and give presentations on project progress to sponsors and reviewers, write project plans, execute projects, write annual project reports.
• Write and co-author research papers for publication in high impact peer-reviewed journals.
• Support the growth of the group’s research portfolio by contributing to the development of proposals, strategic investments, and business development.

Basic Qualifications

• Researcher II -
  • Relevant Master's Degree. Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 2 or more years of experience.
• Researcher III -
  • Relevant PhD. Or, relevant Master's Degree and 3 or more years of experience. Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 5 or more years of experience.

Additional Required Qualifications:

• Experience with socio- and techno-economics of utility scale wind energy projects.
• E xperience with technical writing and publications, including technical reports and journal articles.
• Ability to collaborate with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• In-depth knowledge of the issues and best practices in wind energy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work well within a team and independently with minimal guidance from senior staff.
• Resourceful and self-motivated with strong sense of initiative.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Research experience in hybrid systems.
• Research experience in renewable energy.
• Deep experience with financial structure of wind or solar energy projects, and ability to translate new policy changes to these structures.
• Deep experience with wind or hybrid energy technologies, systems engineering, technoeconomic analysis, renewable energy policy, renewable energy finance.

Compensation

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week) is $69,400 - $114,500.

Offers will typically be made in the bottom half of the listed range. NREL takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, as well as the position's work location, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits Summary:

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short*- and long-term disability insurance; pension benefits*; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement*. NREL employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application..

EEO Policy

NREL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.