Research Analyst I & II

Overview

Join to apply for the Research Analyst I & II role at Center for Energy and Environment (CEE).

Location:

This position is primarily work-from-home with a notable field work component. Staff must be in or near the northern Illinois area so they can perform field work up to twenty percent of time worked. Occasional travel to the Minneapolis office is required.

Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) is a clean energy nonprofit with offices in North Loop of Minneapolis and St. Paul. We provide practical energy solutions for homes, businesses, and communities to cut energy waste and harmful emissions. We collaborate regularly with field peers and partners, and we employ curious people who enjoy learning and contributing to the Midwest’s quality of life and economy.

• Conduct diagnostic tests and install data acquisition equipment to evaluate building and energy system performance.
• Acquire, process, and complete quality control reviews of building and energy system monitored data.
• Apply fundamental building science and mechanical engineering concepts to evaluate basic building and energy system situations.
• Support test site recruitment. Answer participant questions, communicating project scopes, goals, and benefits with clarity.
• Coordinate field work logistics with research participants, other CEE staff, and subcontractors as necessary.
• Conduct literature reviews and assist with technology assessments.
• Carefully document project work, track efforts, and manage multiple project priorities.
• Support the dissemination of research results.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

• BS in mechanical engineering, physics, or a closely related technical field. At least one year’s experience working in a technical field.
• Demonstrated drive and motivation to conduct research in the energy field.
• Experience evaluating building and energy systems. Energy systems include heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, service hot water, energy storage, and solar systems.
• Experience with diagnostic testing, installing data acquisition systems, and assessing building automation systems (preferred).
• Working knowledge of heat transfer, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics applied to basic energy systems.
• Experience assisting with field monitoring protocols, data processing procedures, and data analysis methods; understanding of basic statistical methods.
• Experience using Microsoft Excel to analyze large datasets and generate charts; experience in programming and coding to process data and/or solve engineering equations ( MATLAB, R, or similar preferred; large-scale data processing preferred).
• Strong writing and communication skills; ability to document assumptions and technical observations; ability to write short technical report sections with minimal interpretation.
• Comfortable interacting with project participants including homeowners, renters, building operators, mechanical contractors, and facilities managers.

In addition to the above qualifications, a Research Analyst II will demonstrate:

• Ability to use engineering principles to assist in evaluating the commercial potential for emerging energy technologies.
• Ability to assist in the development of testing protocols and data processing procedures.
• Ability to contribute to proposal ideation and assist with proposal development.

Dependent on qualifications and experience; compensation for a Research Analyst I is between $25.00–$26.50/hr and for a Research Analyst II is between $33.00–$35.00/hr.

• Entry level

• Full-time

• Research, Analyst, and Information Technology

• Non-profit Organizations