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Senior Research Specialist

Rutgers University
life insurance, employee discount
United States, New Jersey, New Brunswick
Feb 13, 2026
Position Details

Position Information
















Recruitment/Posting Title Senior Research Specialist
Job Category Staff & Executive - Research (Laboratory/Non-Laboratory)
Department Urban Policy Research Center
Overview
The Center for Urban Policy Research ( CUPR) works to make human settlements more equitable, sustainable, resilient, and healthy through research, public engagement, education, and other forms of capacity-building. CUPR is now an umbrella center that combines the former Bloustein stand-alone Center for Urban Policy Research with the former Rutgers Center for Green Building ( RCGB), Environmental Analysis and Communication Group ( EAC), Center for Energy, Environmental and Economic Policy ( CEEEP), and Bloustein Center for Local Government Research. This merger creates strong capabilities for addressing today's challenges in a collaborative and multidisciplinary fashion. These challenges include climate change adaptation and mitigation, coastal hazards, environmental justice, a healthier built environment, sustainable energy transition, and technological transformations affecting daily life and local governance.
Posting Summary
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Senior Research Specialist for the Urban Policy Research Center. Reporting to the Senior Executive Director of the Center for Urban Policy Research ( CUPR), the Senior Research Specialist position is responsible for leading the energy engineering work of the center, which includes designing, developing, executing and overseeing projects entailing building and energy cost modeling; stock-level simulation of building electrification strategies; energy efficiency program evaluation; feasibility studies for clean energy technology deployment; development, analysis and management of complex data sets; and periodic fieldwork. The Senior Research Specialist will demonstrate superior technical writing and presentation development, including data visualizations, professional conduct in interacting with clients, as well as with co-workers and other stakeholders.

Among the key duties of this position are the following:

  • Oversees full-time staff and supervises student researchers and consultants to ensure that energy engineering analyses undertaken are performed accurately, efficiently, and are communicated effectively to their intended audiences.
  • Supports the development of new external grants and contracts by developing research and data analysis protocols and methodologies and timelines for tasks and deliverables.
  • Develops projects independently as a principal investigator.
  • Interacts with external stakeholders including clients and industry groups and advancing efforts at technology commercialization of several innovations that have been developed by members of the CUPR team.
  • Works with a team of researchers in the built environment group at the Center for Urban Policy Research on externally funded projects supporting the sustainable energy transition and will collaborate with the Data Informatics Group at CUPR.

FLSA Exempt
Grade 06
Salary Details
Minimum Salary 82166.000
Mid Range Salary 104002.000
Maximum Salary 125837.000
Offer Information
The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate's qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university's broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.
Benefits
Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:

  • Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
  • Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
  • Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
  • Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
  • Life insurance coverage
  • Employee discount programs

Position Status Full Time
Working Hours
Standard Hours 37.50
Daily Work Shift
Work Arrangement
Consistent with the current application of Rutgers Policy 60.3.22 or the applicable provisions of relevant collective negotiations agreements, this position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Flexible work arrangements are not permanent, are subject to change or discontinuation, and contingent on the employee receiving approval in the FlexWork@RU Application System.
Union Description Admin Assembly (MPSC)
Payroll Designation PeopleSoft
Seniority Unit
Terms of Appointment Staff - 12 month
Position Pension Eligibility ABP
Qualifications






Minimum Education and Experience
  • Master's degree in engineering, Data Science/Informatics, Architecture or related field with at least 3 years' experience working as a power systems engineer, HVAC design engineer, energy efficiency analyst or related or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
Certifications/Licenses
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Experience using geographic information systems (GIS), ArcGIS, and spatial analysis datasets and in statistical analysis using a software platform such as R, Python, MATLAB, STATA, SAS, or others. Proficiency in energy modeling/simulation and cost estimating using such platforms as DesignBuilder and EnergyPlus and, for cost analysis, RSMeans.
  • Experience documenting datasets, including the creation or metadata or methodology documents, with competency in SQL or similar.
  • Ability to work independently, develop analytical approaches and work plans, and utilize best practices for data creation and management.
  • Professional knowledge and demonstrated application to clean energy research of building energy systems, energy systems/power infrastructure, building energy codes, building energy modeling, cost estimating, and energy efficiency cost-effectiveness evaluation.
  • Working knowledge of physical science principles related to heat and mass transfer, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics.
  • Familiarity with policy analysis approaches and methods, including stakeholder interest and conflict analysis, benefit-cost analysis, project and program evaluation, and report writing.
  • Data science and Geospatial Analysis skills, including coding (e.g., Python, R), inferential statistics (e.g., MATLAB, STATA), predictive modeling, GIS, and ArcGIS.
  • Fluency in task automation, data cleaning, and analysis in a programming language, with a preference for Python and/or R.
  • Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail; the successful candidate will record and share detailed accounts of their efforts (analysis steps, etc.) and participate in regularly scheduled research team meetings.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills; the successful candidate will be involved in producing written reports and presentations, summarizing research findings, and describing research materials and methodology, including in application to public policy analysis and development..
  • Proficiency in Energy Modeling and Cost Estimating and demonstrated knowledge of associated platforms and databases.
  • Advanced knowledge in power systems engineering.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with energy and air quality sensor technology, data, and modeling platforms.
Equipment Utilized
  • Software Skills: Most or all: R, STATA, Python, MATLAB, SQL, ArcGIS, QGIS, AutoCAD, DesignBuilder, Open Studio, Revit, EnergyPlus, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, Photoshop, SolidWorks, InDesign, MS Access, Database Management, Adobe Creative Suite.
Physical Demands and Work Environment

  • Work activities will be performed primarily at a seated workstation in an office setting, whether at Rutgers or an off-site location, per Rutgers' virtual work opportunities.
  • Some fieldwork and data collection may also be required.
  • Field work requires mostly in-state travel and may entail building sensor placement and data collection.
  • Conference attendance out of state may also arise as an opportunity for this position.

Special Conditions

  • A common thread is policy relevance at the state or local level.
  • Funders include the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, the National Science Foundation, the US departments of Energy and Environmental Protection, and others.

Posting Details






Posting Number 26ST0289
Posting Open Date 02/13/2026
Special Instructions to Applicants
Regional Campus Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Home Location Campus Rutgers University - New Brunswick
City New Brunswick
State NJ
Location Details
Pre-employment Screenings
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.


Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.



Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement


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