Research Staff

The Schatz Energy Research Center (http://schatzcenter.org/)) at Cal Poly Humboldt is currently seeking research staff to assist with administrative and research tasks for our off-grid energy access team, including supporting the VeraSol product certification program. This is a full-time, benefitted position based in Arcata, CA, with the option for remote work initially. This position is expected to start on or near May 1, 2024.

As part of our off-grid energy access team, the position will support administrative and research tasks including coordination with solar product manufacturers, data input and maintenance, and technical test report review and analysis.

This position will substantially contribute to our work on off-grid energy access. For context, more than 1 billion people worldwide are currently unable to access reliable grid electricity. Modern off-grid solar products help support these communities by providing clean and reliable energy for homes, farms and small businesses, and local facilities including schools and health clinics. As the technical lead for the VeraSol program, our off-grid energy access team develops and implements international test protocols for quality assurance to ensure that solar products and appliances are safe, durable, reliable, and perform as advertised. We work closely with national governments, manufacturers, and nonprofit organizations seeking to provide energy access and resilience across Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

We welcome applications from everyone who is legally eligible to work in the United States.

Our organizational commitments

Our vision

We envision a healthy planet with thriving, equitable, resilient communities powered by clean energy.

Our purpose

Our team is committed to addressing climate change and improving human and ecosystem health through work that supports clean energy, climate-resilience, equity, and justice. Our work includes:

• Research and development – we do applied research focused on energy and environmental issues.
• Technology deployment – we design, integrate, build, test, and operate innovative, renewable, and resilient energy systems that are responsive to social and environmental needs.
• Collaboration – we work with public and private partners including Tribal Nations, communities, agencies, academic institutions, foundations, and industry to exchange knowledge and implement innovative solutions locally and internationally.
• Education and Training – we support learning that provides practical, hands-on experience for current and future practitioners and leaders.

Our values

• Kindness: Treating people and the planet with care and respect through acts of inclusion, helpfulness, generosity, and encouragement.
• Integrity: Approaching one another and our interdisciplinary research with curiosity, open-mindedness, transparency, and humility.
• Equity, diversity, and inclusion: Providing a nourishing and rewarding environment for Center staff, students, and partners. Respecting the differences of our colleagues and actively seeking to identify and remove barriers to ensure opportunities to thrive.
• Justice: Working to advance racial justice, gender equality and women’s empowerment, LGBTQIA+ rights, economic equality, and environmental justice.
• Teamwork and collaboration: Supporting internal and external community building and engagement to create inclusive and innovative solutions. Sharing knowledge with and learning from our colleagues, collaborators, community partners, and the public to advance understanding.
• Effectiveness: Using our technical, scientific, and policy expertise to do good work that makes a difference.

Please see the full job announcement for required experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Applicants must submit all of the following via email to schatzenergy@humboldt.edu:

• A 1-2 page formal letter of application explaining your interest in working on the off-grid energy access team and your qualifications for the position. Please note that communication skills are very important for this position, and we will use this letter as a writing sample. Please include your ability to work during typical working hours in the Pacific Time and your willingness to be located within a weekly commuting distance of Arcata, California.
• A resume (3 pages maximum is preferred, but we encourage you to include all relevant and transferable experience and skills you wish us to consider)
• Contact information for 3 references
• A Cal Poly Humboldt Sponsored Programs Foundation Employee Information Form for Applicants. Please fill in “Submission Email” and “Contact” as follows: Schatz Energy Research Center (Name) and schatzenergy@humboldt.edu (Email).
• Applications that do not include all of the above information (including working hours and location) will not be considered.

All applicants must also complete a short online skills assessment at:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZ3SBKxQxruc0SSqi9vHqqqnEK46ALTizNehdmZP4I8z_tRg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Please contact us at schatzenergy@humboldt.edu if you are unable to access or complete the Google Form.

Be sure to address all the minimum and desired qualifications that you meet in your application materials. Applications submitted with incomplete materials or that exceed the maximum lengths stated above may not be considered. Letters may be addressed to the “Search Committee.”

All application materials must be received by 5 pm Pacific Time (US) on April 2, 2024.

Affirmative action and equal opportunity

The Schatz Center is a part of the Cal Poly Humboldt Sponsored Programs Foundation (SPF), an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Learn more about SPF’s Equal Employment Opportunity hiring: https://research.humboldt.edu/employment/hiring.

https://schatzcenter.org/2024/03/job-off-grid-research-march2024/