Post Doctoral Research Associate - AI for Building Energy Systems

Overview At Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), the Electricity Infrastructure and Buildings Division within the Energy and Environment Directorate is accelerating the transition to an efficient, resilient, and secure energy system through basic and applied research. The Division leverages a strong technical foundation in power and energy systems and advanced data analytics to drive innovation, transform markets, and shape energy policy. Responsibilities The Division’s Building Simulation and Design Group (BS&DG) performs modeling and analysis to evaluate the impacts of building energy policies, codes, and standards; develops tools and workflows to support building research and decision making; and helps accelerate adoption of energy‑efficient technologies. This position is a Postdoctoral Research Associate – AI for Building Energy Systems, based in Portland, OR, Richland, WA, or Seattle, WA. The role will support AI‑enabled building energy systems research under DOE mission areas, including building energy modeling, code compliance checking, permitting, large‑scale performance data analysis, workflow automation, building controls and operations, workforce training, data mining, and AI‑enabled software tools. Conduct research in AI‑enabled building energy systems under a given mission area, including generative AI, large language models, and agentic systems for building research applications. Develop and apply generative AI, large language model, and agentic methods for building research applications, including support for data preparation, testing, and technical evaluation. Develop and support analysis methods, modeling workflows, tools, and prototypes for building research applications under guidance from project leads. Contribute to technical products, analyses, and research outputs that support building research and decision making. Contribute to existing building research and engineering projects in these application areas, including projects with established workflows and projects transitioning toward AI‑enabled approaches. Execute assigned technical tasks and deliver high‑quality work within defined scope, schedule, and project expectations. Work with project teams and collaborators to support technical tasks and respond to project needs. Work effectively within interdisciplinary teams and collaborate closely with mentors, project leads, and teammates. Support proposal development through technical analysis, literature review, or background research. Contribute to technical reports, publications, and presentations related to assigned research. Stay current with relevant literature, methods, and tools in support of assigned research and professional growth. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a full academic or research CV. Minimum Qualifications Candidates must have received a PhD within the past five years (60 months) or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university. Preferred Qualifications PhD in architectural engineering, building science, mechanical engineering, or a closely related field, with strong potential to conduct independent research. Experience conducting building energy system analyses, such as modeling, controls analysis, or system performance evaluation. Experience developing or experimenting with AI or machine learning methods in engineering or scientific research applications. Experience programming in Python or similar languages to support modeling, simulation, or research data analysis. Experience contributing to research projects and delivering technical work within defined project scope and schedule. Experience supporting proposal preparation, such as technical analysis or background research. Record of technical publications or research contributions from doctoral research. Experience communicating research results through presentations or publications. Hazardous Working Conditions / Environment Not Applicable Testing Designated Position This is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP). Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment Opportunity Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at View email address on click.appcast.io. Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements As a national laboratory, PNNL requires new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD‑12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. Obtaining this credential requires a successful federal background investigation and a favorable adjudication. The required tier of investigation depends on job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities. All investigations include a declaration of illegal drug activities. For foreign national candidates, foreign residency requirements apply. Further details are available in the official DOE and HSPD‑12 regulations. Mandatory Requirements Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment. Benefits – Rockstar Rewards Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in the company‑funded pension plan and may enroll in the 401(k) savings plan with company match. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year. * Research Associates excluded. ** All benefits are dependent upon eligibility. Notice to Applicants PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual’s relevant job‑related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited‑term positions which have specific pay rules. As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position. Minimum Salary USD $69,000.00 / Yr. Maximum Salary USD $119,100.00 / Yr. #J-18808-Ljbffr Pacific Northwest National Laboratory