RESEARCH SCIENTIST/ENGINEER 4
Apply NowCompany: University of Washington
Location: Seattle, WA 98115
Description:
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.
POSITION PURPOSE
The Research Scientist/Engineer is responsible for a pilot program on sustainability assessment of next-generation clean energy and climate technologies. This position is central to advancing the Clean Energy Institute (CEI) mission of accelerating the adoption of a scalable and equitable clean energy future. The role focuses on integrating life cycle thinking and sustainable design into early-stage clean energy research and development, guiding decision-making across various technology readiness levels-from computational materials design and lab-based research to pilot demonstrations and first-of-kind projects.
This position will collaborate closely with public and private stakeholders to conduct life cycle analysis (LCA) projects that inform strategic research and development decisions, reducing the risks associated with scaling up emerging clean technologies. Stakeholders include university researchers, climate tech startups, and government entities, among others. This role is pivotal in building LCA infrastructure within WCET, establishing WCET as a trusted third-party partner for LCA consulting in the national and global climate tech community. Work will involve collaboration across CEI and WCET's various facilities, particularly the Systems Integration Testbed and the new battery fabrication facility. Additionally, the position involves public-facing communication of WCET activities and research findings, mentoring students and postdocs to build LCA literacy, and contributing to scholarly publications, whitepapers, and technical reports.
This position supports the Washington Clean Energy Testbeds (WCET), which provides academic and industrial user access to advanced characterization, fabrication, processing, and computing tools.
Research undertaken at WCET is focused on the development of transitional energy devices, algorithms and other technologies. The equipment, analytical instrumentation, and computing capabilities are designed to meet the flexible needs of a multidisciplinary user base.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Scholarly Research and Communication
Conduct scholarly research on clean energy technologies
Conduct fundamental research on best practices for applying life cycle thinking to early-stage R&D and emerging clean technologies
Lead and contribute to scholarly publications, public-facing whitepapers, and technical reports to communicate research findings to both technical and non-technical audiences
Communicate findings at conferences and workshops
Life Cycle Assessment Consulting
Conduct comprehensive LCAs for public and private entities to inform R&D decision-making and risk mitigation during scale-up
Provide strategic consulting to companies, organizations, and governmental stakeholders across various technology readiness levels (TRL) and market stages
Software Development and Data
Design and develop open-source software tools (based in python, working within the brightway infrastructure) for accessible LCA workflows and streamlined data collection within WCET
Establish a robust data infrastructure to support LCA process design and scale-up
Program Development and Leadership
Establish and lead LCA programming embedded within WCET, including building the required software and hardware capabilities, stakeholder engagement, and forming an LCA advisory board
Mentorship and Education
Train students and postdocs, focusing on how to conduct LCA and integrate it into engineering design
Create and deliver educational training sessions and tutorials to build LCA literacy among researchers, engineers, and industry stakeholders
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Master's Degree in a Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, or other relevant field
Four years of relevant experience, OR Equivalent combination of education/experience.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
5+ years of research in materials science, spanning computational materials design, material synthesis and characterization, device fabrication and testing, and scale-up
5+ years of experience in climate tech research and scale-up, with a focus on solar or battery technologies
2+ years of experience in life cycle assessment, particularly in applying LCA to emerging materials and technologies
Preferred PhD in a Physics, Chemistry, Engineering
Practical experience in sustainable materials design, process flow, and energy balance simulations
Proficiency in software engineering, including Python programming and experience with building databases
Communication skills, with the ability to present complex research clearly and effectively to diverse audiences
Ability to work collaboratively with clients and stakeholders; strong interpersonal and leadership skills
Mentorship experience
Application Process: The application process 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 Work 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 access 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.
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.
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.
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.
POSITION PURPOSE
The Research Scientist/Engineer is responsible for a pilot program on sustainability assessment of next-generation clean energy and climate technologies. This position is central to advancing the Clean Energy Institute (CEI) mission of accelerating the adoption of a scalable and equitable clean energy future. The role focuses on integrating life cycle thinking and sustainable design into early-stage clean energy research and development, guiding decision-making across various technology readiness levels-from computational materials design and lab-based research to pilot demonstrations and first-of-kind projects.
This position will collaborate closely with public and private stakeholders to conduct life cycle analysis (LCA) projects that inform strategic research and development decisions, reducing the risks associated with scaling up emerging clean technologies. Stakeholders include university researchers, climate tech startups, and government entities, among others. This role is pivotal in building LCA infrastructure within WCET, establishing WCET as a trusted third-party partner for LCA consulting in the national and global climate tech community. Work will involve collaboration across CEI and WCET's various facilities, particularly the Systems Integration Testbed and the new battery fabrication facility. Additionally, the position involves public-facing communication of WCET activities and research findings, mentoring students and postdocs to build LCA literacy, and contributing to scholarly publications, whitepapers, and technical reports.
This position supports the Washington Clean Energy Testbeds (WCET), which provides academic and industrial user access to advanced characterization, fabrication, processing, and computing tools.
Research undertaken at WCET is focused on the development of transitional energy devices, algorithms and other technologies. The equipment, analytical instrumentation, and computing capabilities are designed to meet the flexible needs of a multidisciplinary user base.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Scholarly Research and Communication
Life Cycle Assessment Consulting
Software Development and Data
Program Development and Leadership
Mentorship and Education
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Application Process: The application process 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 Work 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 access 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.
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.
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.