Job Opportunities

Post-Doctoral Research in Materials Decarbonization

Description

The Energy and Efficiency Institute at the University of California, Davis, is seeking one post-doc to lead research in the area of low-carbon materials. The post-doc will participate in, lead, and develop new research projects in designing sustainable materials with an emphasis on assessing environmental burdens and integrating environmental impact assessment methods with material performance. The post-doc will develop means to robustly assess local, regional, and global burdens from materials consumption. The research will focus on cement-based materials (e.g., concrete), bio-derived materials (e.g., wood), alloys (e.g., steel), and/or polymeric materials (e.g., plastic).

Appointment length: Maximum 24 month, 100 % time

Salary: Between $60,000 and $72,000, commensurate with experience.

Job Location: Davis, California, USA

Anticipated start date: September 2023

Responsibilities:

Oversee and conduct comprehensive data analysis including both qualitative and quantitative data.
Develop and maintain online assessment tools.
Identify funding opportunities; lead and contribute to proposals to apply to those opportunities.
Write articles for refereed academic journals, for technical reports , and/or for conferences.
Supervise, train, and mentor graduate students and other team members working on research projects.

Qualifications (at the time of application):

Required:

Ph.D or equivalent International Degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Energy, or topic demonstrably related to decarbonization.
Research experience in techniques and policies related to low-carbon materials.
Record of high quality publications in academic journals and other publication venues.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team, including the ability to efficiently and actively cooperate with other staff members within the organization.
Strong English communication skills (oral and written).

Preferred:

Besides the graduate study leading to the PhD, additional academic, industrial training or other professional experience in the building sciences or closely related fields.
Demonstrated ability to obtain funding to pursue their research interests and goals, or at least demonstrated proposal writing skills.
End-to-end experience with all aspects of research – development of initial research concept, identification of and planning for funding opportunities including forming competitive teams for funding applications, writing proposals, research design, data acquisition, occupant surveys, analysis, reporting, and stakeholder communication.
Demonstrated ability to lead a research team of graduate students, postdoctoral scholars and associates.

Application Procedure

Please submit an application letter explaining why you want this position and your goals, along with your CV, to Alan Meier akmeier@ucdavis.edu. Please include contact information for two references in your letter.

Research Center Affiliate Program

The Research Centers of the UC Davis Energy and Efficiency Institute (EEI) are a nexus for some of the most important developments in the rapidly evolving field of energy and energy efficiency. The California Lighting Technology Center, Center for Water-Energy Efficiency, and Western Cooling Efficiency Center conduct research, development,and demonstration projects, and support educational programs for students and professionals. Faculty and staff also work with legislative leaders and regulatory agencies to advance energy policy.

Each center is guided by a steering committee made up of representatives from government, utilities, and industry. This program leverages core funding from
Affiliates to obtain significant grants by using it as match funding on state and federal proposals.

This funding also maintains state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and equipment, allows recruitment and retention of top research talent, and provides funding to seed new projects and take advantage of emerging opportunities.

Importantly, the Affiliate Program exposes students to member companies through work and internship opportunities, creating a pipeline of trained engineers and designers familiar with Affiliates and their technologies.

To participate, companies make an annual unrestricted membership gift to one or more centers and are eligible to propose separate technical service agreements and/ or research agreements that address specific affiliate interests.

Affiliate Benefits

Steering Committee
Each center steering committee meets annually to discuss recent achievements, suggest new priorities, objectives, projects, research topics, etc. and have focused, solution-driven dialogue

Priority Access to Events
Each center has a tight-knit network of industry thought leaders. Our workshops are limited in size (unless directly funded) and our affiliate members receive a number of priority reservations for each workshop.

Collaborate on Projects
Our researchers respond to several calls for proposals every year to state, federal, and private entities to pursue innovative and applied research. Affiliates have opportunities to collaborate on proposed projects.

Opportunity to Write and Present
As an academic institution, our researchers and faculty have unique access to insights and new research findings, as well as to in-depth knowledge of the technical field. Affiliates have the advantage of many opportunities for engagement throughout the year. Each center also places an emphasis on educational opportunities for stakeholders on new standards, practices, etc.

Access to Our Network
As an academic institution, our researchers and faculty have unique access to insights and newly published research findings, as well as to in-depth knowledge of the technical field. Affiliates have the advantage of many opportunities for engagement throughout the year. The center also places an emphasis on educational opportunities for stakeholders on new standards, practices, etc.

Additional Benefits

Industry advice and priority access to center faculty and staff
Two invitations to our annual Global Energy Manager’s Workshop
Early access to center webinars (2-3/year)
Logo recognition on center website
Assistance with hosting meetings at campus facilities
Opportunities to post student jobs and internships on center website.

Requested Annual Membership

(For companies interested in becoming affiliates of multiple centers, bundled packages are available)

Industry

Annual Revenue

>50 Million

$10-50 Million

< $10 Million

Fee

$30,000

$20,000

$10,000

Energy Utilities

Population Served

>1 Million

500,000-1 Million

200,000-500,000

Fee

$30,000

$20,000

$10,000

NGOs/Non-profit

Please contact us.

Your Membership Supports Us

We rely exclusively on project-based funding and sponsorships to achieve our mission and objectives.
Your support allows us to:

Provide seed funding for new projects to take advantage of emerging opportunities
Ensure our research is published and widely disseminated for the largest impact
Engage on important research topics while seeking funding opportunities, and
Recruit and retain top research talent

Join Us Today

Alan Meier
Acting Executive Director
Energy and Efficiency Institute
UC Davis
510-486-4740
akmeier@ucdavis.edu

Tori Yashinski
Associate Director of External Relations
Energy and Efficiency Institute
UC Davis
530-752-6548
vsyashinski@ucdavis.edu

Leadership Sponsor Program

The Energy and Efficiency Institute (EEI) seeks strategically minded industry leaders to join our efforts to accelerate the development and commercialization of sustainable, equitable, safe and reliable energy solutions. We define success by actual reductions of waste in the energy system. Leadership Sponsors are critical stakeholders in this success. Sectors are represented by executives from leading industry partners in utilities, technology, impact investment, retail, influential advocacy leaders and energy regulators/policy makers.

CORE OUTCOMES

Thought Leadership

Convening leaders in industry, government, non-profits and academia to discuss and tackle society’s energy-related challenges.

Relevant Research

Conducting timely, unbiased, evidence-based research to understand complex energy issues.

Real-World Impact

Driving market adoption at scale through demonstrations and partnerships, and by influencing industry and government decision-makers.

Future Leaders

Producing graduates who will be tomorrow’s energy leaders and experts in government, the private sector and academia.

BOARD OF ADVISORS

EEI brings together industry leaders and policy makers to help with decision-making and facilitate access to cutting-edge innovation.

Advisors have in common a drive to leverage their positions in the marketplace to scale environmental and financial impacts, including addressing underserved market sectors. Advisors help us shape the projects and policies needed to achieve our shared vision in a competitive and dynamic energy landscape.

“Serving as the chair of the EEI Board of Advisors gives me the opportunity to work with a diverse set of key thought leaders and stakeholders that are committed to supporting and investing in the Institute’s meaningful work to accelerate California and the world’s ongoing clean energy transition.”

—Ralph Cavanagh, Energy Program Co-Director, Natural Resources Defense Council

Ralph Cavanagh (Board Chair)

Energy Co-Director
Natural Resources Defense Council

David Duffy
Senior Advisor, Carbon Reduction
Chevron

Eunice Garcia
Director of Utility Partnership
Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Dana Golan
Vice President, Customer Services
San Diego Gas & Electric

Ryan Harty
Department Head, Connected & Environmental Business Development
American Honda

Ryohei Hinokuma (Board Liaison)
Director of Market Transformation and Advocacy
Daikin

Philip Hopkins
Managing Director, Head of Renewable Energy & Environmental Finance
Wells Fargo

David Jacot
Director, Efficiency Solutions
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power

Naoki Kamo
President,
Panasonic Life Solutions Company of America

Jawaad Malik
VP Strategy and Sustainability and Chief Environmental Officer
Southern California Gas Company

Scott Martin
Chief Strategy Officer
Sacramento Municipal Utility District

Michael Peevey
Retired
California Public Utilities Commission

Nancy Pfund
Founding & Managing Partner
DBL Partners

Katie Sloan
Vice President, Customer Programs and Services
Southern California Edison

Lee Smith
Vice President of Strategic Marketing, Advocacy & Applications Development
Daikin

Takeyuki Yamaki (Board Liaison)
Chief, Strategic Technology Planning
Panasonic

Takamitsu Yasukouchi (Board Liaison)
General Manager, Liaison Department
Panasonic

LEADERSHIP SPONSOR PROGRAM BENEFITS

EEI is committed to ensuring a mutually beneficial partnership and developing personalized engagements and activities that provide value to industry partners.

Member of the Board of Advisors
This influential group plays an important role in advancing energy solutions to meet corporate, state, national and global energy goals.

Visibility
The Institute hosts guest executives to speak at events, seminars, and courses. Invitations are given to Board members and their designees for such exclusive opportunities. In addition, sponsors are recognized on our monitor displays, website, and printed materials.

Market Intelligence Access
Sponsors enjoy access to the research and technological innovations developed at UC Davis.

Internship and Career Placement
EEI facilitates connections to top UC Davis students who have specialized training in energy and transportation systems.

Prestigious Student Fellowships
Sponsors can allocate a portion of their contribution to name a fellowship. The student fellow will work, under faculty direction, on a project that is of thematic interest to the company. The student will be introduced to the company and present his/her research.

Special Projects
Where there is a strong, shared interest beyond the scope of the Leadership Sponsor or Affiliate Program relationships, supplemental collaborative projects can be explored.

“PG&E benefits from the institutional knowledge housed in the Institute’s research centers and enacted through real-world collaborative projects, whether it be in lighting, HVAC, water-energy, electric vehicles or energy storage. We leverage their faculty and staff to deploy integrated solutions that benefit our infrastructure and customers, and ultimately California and the rest of the world. At the same time, we are investing in the future energy leaders that we and our partners will continue to hire.”

–Laurie Giammona, Senior Vice President, Pacific Gas and Electric Company

LEADERSHIP SPONSORS PROVIDE A MINIMUM OF $100,000 THAT SUPPORTS

Core Activities
Funding supports the development and commercialization of energy-efficient technologies; energy data collection, analysis and visualization; design, development and management of carbon neutral communities; and competitive funding packages to recruit and train top student talent.

Leveraged Outcomes
Funding helps seed or launch much larger research activities and demonstration projects. Investments from sponsors can generate ratios as high as 30:1 for each dollar contributed.

Outreach and Marketing
Funding enables the Institute to conduct outreach that engages policymakers and key energy stakeholders. Sponsors are full participants in these meetings and events.