Research Associate-Fixed Term

Position Summary

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) invites applications from outstanding candidates for a full-time Research Associate position in the area of energy, sustainability, and decarbonization of industrial and commercial buildings. The initial appointment will be for 9 months. Renewal for up to three additional years is possible, subject to funding and satisfactory performance evaluations.

The position will be under the direction of Dr. Kristen Cetin. The Research Associate will work as part of a multidisciplinary team with primary emphases in the areas of building energy performance, energy modeling, life cycle assessment, building decarbonization, and energy workforce development.

Successful applicants will participate in and oversee research projects, including design, development, execution, and publishing of results. Applicants will also serve in a project manager role within the Industrial Training & Assessment Center (ITAC) program and associated projects. This individual will have the opportunity to be involved in a leading role in data collection and analysis activities for research projects, write research grant proposals, support training of students in understanding building energy assessment procedures and systems, coordinate among various project stakeholders, as well as help to shape the direction and goals of the efforts within the research group. They will also have opportunities to mentor both graduate and undergraduate students on research projects and assessment teams.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate -Civil and Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Energy Engineering, or a closely related field

Minimum Requirements

• A Ph.D. in a relevant discipline
• Academic excellence and research achievement
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Record of scholarly productivity.
• Ability to work well both independently and in a team environment with undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff, building systems vendors, and industry professionals
• Excellent qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis skills.
• Knowledge of buildings, building systems, and sustainability topics, particularly as they relate to buildings in the U.S.
• Strong organizational skills.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working with building energy, emissions, and related data, including programming, calculations, graphing, and data analytics.
• Experience in managing research and/or energy-related projects, including coordinating personnel, meetings, site visits, data collection, analysis, and report writing.
• Knowledge of HVAC, compressed air, process heating and cooling, building envelope, and other major energy-consuming systems in commercial and industrial buildings.
• Experience training and/or mentoring undergraduate and graduate students on research projects, laboratory, and fieldwork.
• Familiar with key decarbonization, energy, and emissions goals, legislation, and targets in the U.S.

Required Application Materials

• Cover Letter; please include the reason/motivation for applying, relevant research and/or industry experience related to this position, relevant training and/or mentorship experience
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Contact Information for Three References

Special Instructions

For full consideration, applications should be received before July 1, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a continuing basis thereafter until the position is filled

Review of Applications Begins On

07/01/2025

Website

https://www.egr.msu.edu/cee/

Department Statement

Civil and Environmental Engineering is organized to create a welcoming/inclusive campus community for students by collaborating with faculty, staff and students to develop programs and resources that will support curricular and co-curricular success and to prepare students to succeed academically and professionally.

The CEE Department is centered around civil engineering and environmental engineering degree programs. Some specialized disciplines include structures, pavements, geotechnical, environmental, transportation, water resources, and energy/sustainability.

MSU enjoys a park-like campus with some outlying research facilities and natural areas. The campus is adjacent to the city of East Lansing, adjacent to the capital city of Lansing. The Lansing metropolitan area has a diverse population of approximately 541,000.  Local communities have excellent school systems and place a high value on education. For more information about University Health and Wellbeing, please visit: https://healthpromotion.msu.edu

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.