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21 May 2021

Full-Time Building LCA Data and Methodology Researcher

Carbon Leadership Forum at the University of Washington – Posted by [email protected] Anywhere

Carbon Leadership Forum, University of Washington logo

Job Description

Location: This job has flexibility to work remotely (in the US)

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

The College of Built Environments is seeking a collaborative Researcher to help execute the mission of the Carbon Leadership Forum-to eliminate embodied carbon in buildings and infrastructure by inspiring innovation and spurring change through collective action.

Recognizing that buildings account for around 40% of energy-related global CO2 emissions, the Carbon Leadership Forum at the University of Washington, is dedicated to accelerating the transformation of the building sector to radically reduce the embodied carbon in building materials and construction through collective action.

The Carbon Leadership Forum propels knowledge through its embodied carbon research and resources, collaboration through its robust network of architects, engineers, contractors, material suppliers, building owners, policymakers and associations, and action by supporting and empowering its members to advance new ideas and approaches through impactful initiatives.

The Researcher is responsible for successful execution of the Carbon Leadership Forum’s projects including the execution of research, development of educational resources and incubation of industry led initiatives in order to maintain and expand the Carbon Leadership Forum’s reputation as a center of technical excellence and industry engaged research.

Requiring knowledge of the building sector embodied carbon assessments and life cycle assessment (LCA), the Researcher supports the for development, testing and facilitation of adoption and application of emerging methods, data and tools, expand embodied carbon and LCA capacity within the building sector and collaborating with industry to establish standards, policy and practices that improve the methods for embodied carbon reporting, evaluation and reduction.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

70% Conduct research and development to support open access embodied carbon and LCA data and increase technical capacity within the building sector.  This includes:

  • Support the development of new knowledge, data and resources to advance embodied carbon data and methodology.
  • Interfacing with clients, partners and UW research teams.
    – Assist and/or collaborate in the preparation of reports, papers, presentations etc.
  • Support the development of research and consulting projects that advance the state of embodied carbon/LCA practice including:
    – Building scale life cycle assessments with unique systems or data.
    – Novel methods to conduct whole building LCAs.
    – Integration of embodied carbon reduction strategies in practice.
  • Serve on relevant standards (including product category rule) committees
  • Convene stakeholders to inform and assess developing methods

20% Present and publicize LCA methodologies to stakeholders and interested groups supporting discrete projects such as:

  • Grow the CLF’s resources on LCA for building industry professionals.
    – Develop and deliver the technical content in CLF webinars.
    – Develop and deliver practice facing print and online resources.
  • Obtain invitations to present at webinars/events developed by external organizations.
  • Develop visual representations of data
  • Support grant/funding proposal development

10% Strategic Development

  • Understands broad strategic objectives of the Carbon Leadership Forum and contributes to their execution and refinement.
  • Nurtures and maintains relationships with major customers/grantors of external research and development grant funding.
  • Uses peer network to expand technical capabilities and identify new research opportunities.
  • Supports ongoing CLF administrative needs

PROBLEM SOLVING/INNOVATIONThe level of direction or technical guidance required:

Works under limited supervision demonstrating the ability to work independently.

The level of problem solving expected of this position:

Evaluates, selects and applies standard, scientific o engineering procedures and techniques requiring investigation of a limited number of variables and few complex features.

The level of innovation expected of this position:

Develops extensions to existing methods.

PROJECT PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT

The level of responsibility for identifying/securing research funding for on-going and new projects:

Can create, monitor and implement effective plans; assist in procurement of additional/new funding through contributions to technical proposal preparation and/or presentation. Contributes to positive customer relationships through efficient interaction on current grants/projects.

The level of responsibility for project management expected from this position:

Leads small projects and /or major project tasks which may last years, and effectively manages them by providing guidance and direction to project staff; makes substantial contributions to determining feasibility of goals/objectives; interfaces with investigator peers.

LEADERSHIP/TECHNICAL INFLUENCE/NETWORKING

The level of leadership expected of this position:

Works effectively as a member of a team under technical guidance of seasoned staff; establishes productive relationships with co-workers, customers and others to accomplish team objectives; may guide the work of co-workers, students, research aides/assistants, technicians or other support staff as necessary to achieve specific assignments.

The level of influence this position is expected to have within the research community:

Sought out for contributions to reports and publications; has established networks in internal peer groups; starts becoming part of an identifiable peer network.

As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here.

REQUIREMENTS

Master’s Degree in Environmental studies, engineering, architecture, or related field plus one – three years of experience required.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

The minimum level of technical expertise needed/required to successfully perform the job:

Effectively knows and uses the fundamental concepts, practices and procedures of a particular field of specialization; continues development of technical expertise and knowledge through experience and application.

Specific knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the job satisfactorily include:

Established technical expertise in LCA and/ or building performance modeling in order to serve as a technical resource to the Carbon Leadership Forum, College of Built Environments and UW. Developed knowledge of LCA and/ or building performance data, methods and application and understanding of principles of relevant LCA standards. Ability to analyze and visualize data using tools such as Excel, Tableau and/or other database systems, using, developing, and/or evaluating whole building LCA software, LCA datasets and Environmental Product Declarations.

DESIRED

Experience in the use of Life Cycle Assessment software (Gabi or SimaPro) to conduct life cycle assessments of building materials and products. Graphic representation skills.
Non-profit and/or academic experience. Grant writing and development of relationships with funding organizations.
Budget management experience including fiscal management skills.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Workforce Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your “My Jobs” page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.

How to Apply

Click here to apply online

Job Categories: Green Building. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: 60,000 - 80,000.

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