Research Consultant

Groundbreaker. Game changer. Pioneer.

TRC has consistently set the standard for clients needing more than just engineering services by blending scientific expertise with cutting-edge technology to create innovative, enduring solutions. From pipelines to power plants, roadways to reservoirs, schoolyards to security solutions, clients look to TRC for breakthrough thinking backed by the innovative follow-through of an industry leader.

Our team works with a diverse range of commercial, industrial and government clients and the communities they serve. We are dedicated to delivering creative solutions that meet local needs, helping our clients thrive in a rapidly changing world. Together, we tackle challenges and strive to make the Earth a better place to live, community by community and project by project.

Joining TRC means engaging in interesting, meaningful projects. We pride ourselves on our collaborative spirit, entrepreneurial zeal and agile corporate structure. We recognize that the expertise of our staff is our strongest asset, so we generously reward employees for successful performance and invest in their careers through training and the development of new skills and certifications. At TRC, we believe in the power of diverse perspectives and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every team member can thrive. We offer a range of People Programs designed to support our employees' growth and well-being. Explore our programs here: TRC People Programs

At TRC, every voice is valued, every individual has the opportunity to make a difference, and together we shape a brighter, more sustainable future.

TRC's Research and Consulting (R&C) team, within the Advanced Energy practice, is focused on developing and deploying decarbonization and clean energy solutions for our clients - utilities, non-profits, local governments, and state and federal agencies. R&C is a multi-disciplinary research-based consulting team that helps internal and external clients develop and optimize scaled clean energy solutions grounded in technological, economic, policy, market, and customer insights. Our research consulting projects are focused on how advanced energy solutions like energy efficiency, demand management, distributed energy resources, emerging tech, microgrids, storage, and electrification can help drive the clean energy transformation.

R&C's Research Consultants conduct research and analysis to help address clients' needs through discrete, funded projects focused on advanced energy solutions. This includes designing, implementing, and communicating insights from a wide range of range of research and analysis approaches, drawing upon advanced energy industry subject matter expertise, and helping clients understand how to use these insights.

Research Consultants are early career analysts who work side by side with more experienced consulting staff to learn about the clean energy industry, learn new analytic skills, engage in sophisticated research projects, and participate in the evolution of our business. No project is the same, and Research Consultants get exposure to lots of different types of work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Research Consultants will work on multiple tasks across multiple teams. This position requires the ability to communicate effectively and coordinate with internal technical team members and external customers.

Primary Work Areas:

• Codes and Standards
• Emerging Technologies Research and Demonstrations
• Market Transformation and Technology Transfer
• Technical Market Research
• Utility Program Evaluation

The overall responsibilities of Research Consultants are to:

• Perform a variety of standard research consulting project tasks with limited oversight under the direction of senior team members
• Learn to perform increasingly complicated research, data collection, and analysis projects tasks with oversight from senior team members
• Perform assigned work as instructed, within budget allocated and scheduled needs for deliverables of project
• Manage time across multiple projects, proactively seeking support when needed to understand/troubleshoot tasks or balance competing priorities

While the focus will vary based on project needs, this role will focus on the following types of tasks, completed with limited oversight under the direction of more senior team members:

• Energy analysis
  • Analyze technology and building energy use using established M&V methodologies
  • Implement calculations to estimate savings, carbon emissions reductions, cost-effectiveness, and other benefits of emerging technologies, programs, energy policies, and green building solutions
  • Conduct technical analysis in support of developing policy solutions such as building energy codes, appliance standards, and local building ordinances
• Primary research
  • Identify and recruit organizations and individuals to include in research studies through online searches, data mining, cold calls and/or utilizing networks and client lists
  • Support the design and implementation of surveys alongside customer research expert team members
  • Conduct in-depth interviews with study participants via phone and/or in person
  • Support the design of field data collection methodologies
  • Code, analyze, and interpret primary data
• Secondary research
  • Research energy policies, program designs, technologies, and research methodologies
  • Complete literature reviews
  • Collect and analyze market research data
  • Identify and collate secondary data sources
• Data analysis
  • Compile, clean, and manage quantitative data
  • Conduct basic statistical analyses and data visualizations
• Policy development and advancement
  • Support the drafting of building energy codes and local energy code ordinances
  • Assist with stakeholder outreach and engagement related to adoption of building energy codes
• Research synthesis and communication
  • Communicate research results via written reports and graphically
  • Synthesize information across multiple data sources
  • Help translate results of research projects into actionable recommendations for clients, with oversight

Minimum Required Qualifications:

Minimum qualifications are those an applicant must possess to be considered a candidate for the position.

• PhD, Masters degree with 1+ year of experience, or Undergraduate degree with 2+ years of experience.
• Applicable degrees include Environmental Science, Energy Systems, Architecture, Physics, or other relevant fields focused on building or technology design, research, or policy.
• Demonstrated competency and experience in building science, energy codes and standards, distributed energy resources, and/or applied technical research.
• Thorough understanding of the fundamentals of research methods and design.
• Enthusiasm for learning new skills and can-do attitude.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team
• Capable of maintaining a high energy level to handle a dynamic, fast-paced workload.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preferred qualifications are not required for an applicant to be considered a candidate for the position.

• Tangible experience in consulting and/or research.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, communication, and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with utilities or the clean energy sector, including knowledge of one or more of the following:
• Building science and/or clean transportation
• Energy efficiency, demand management, and/or other distributed energy resources
• Utility programs and regulation
• Clean energy technologies and/or building systems
• The clean energy market
• Energy codes and/or appliance standards
• Research experience with methods including one or multiple of the skills below:
• Surveys
• In-depth interviews
• Data analysis and statistics
• Program evaluation
• Field data collection
• Building energy modeling
• Cost-effectiveness analysis methods
• Literature review
• Research presentation
• Other structured research methods
• Proficiency in one or more of the software listed below:
• Microsoft Office Suite - Advanced Excel Skills
• Smartsheet
• R
• Python
• Qualtrics
• ArcGIS
• EnergyPlus
• CBECC
• PowerBI

Our Mission

We understand our clients' goals, and embrace them as our own, applying creativity, experience, integrity and dedication to deliver superior solutions to the world's energy, environment and infrastructure challenges.

Our Vision

We will solve the challenges of making the Earth a better place to live - community by community.

TRC is ranked #16 on ENR's list of the Top 500 Design Firms in the United States.

Please watch the video below to learn more:

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Benefits: TRC offers a competitive benefit package consisting of:

• Medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance.
• 401k package that includes both traditional and Roth IRA options and Company match.
• Paid time off contingent upon full time or part time status and level of seniority (ranging from 15 to 25 days per year).
• All full-time employees enjoy a minimum of 8 Paid Holidays per year.
• TRC ensures that all employees, including those that work part-time, receive paid sick, family, and disability leave in accordance with the laws of their state of residence.

*These benefits are applicable to US employees depending on their employment status (full time, part time, or temporary). TRC offers jurisdiction specific benefit packages for International and Puerto Rico employees.

Compensation: In accordance with local law, the below salary range is applicable for the job and location associated with this requisition. Compensation will vary based upon experience, education, skill level, geographical location, and other compensable factors.

Other Compensation: Employee may be eligible for participation in the Company's annual Discretionary Bonus Program which is contingent on Company, Business Segment, and Individual performance against Key Performance Indicators which vary by year and employee.

#LI-CS3

TRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

The complete job description and application are available on TRC's career site.

TRC accepts applications for this position on an ongoing, rolling basis and reserves the right to cancel this posting at any time.