Unleash Your Potential With Us

As a next-generation public research institution, we are an inclusive community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to shape the future and solve the world’s most challenging problems. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you become an integral part of our mission to become a university for the future. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with uniquely talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses and regional locations. That means greater challenges to tackle, more meaningful opportunities to grow, and rewarding experiences that go beyond a paycheck.

The Opportunity

The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Cocoa is currently seeking candidates for research associate, Advanced Building Research. Responsibilities will include identifying opportunities for research, development, and demonstrations. The selected candidate will be expected to write proposals, conduct research, analyze data, and provide appropriate recommendations to address challenges and need for further research. The research associate will focus on lab and field research investigating new technologies for energy-efficient envelopes, HVAC and water heating systems, smart controls, grid-enabled buildings, energy storage, and integration of solar and electric vehicles.

The FSEC Energy Research Center in Cocoa, FL is leading the transition to a reduced carbon economy with research in building energy efficiency, solar and energy storage, K-12 education, and practitioner certification. Established in 1975, FSEC has been discovering, researching, and deploying new technologies for more than 45 years. The Buildings Research Division at FSEC has a long history in laboratory, simulation and field-testing of new energy technologies. FSEC research has been instrumental in overcoming market barriers for high performance housing innovations including radiant barriers, solar products, duct sealing programs, energy-efficient ceiling fans, energy ratings, green designation standards, and proper air barriers. If you have a passion for a clean energy future, come join our team. Learn more at https://energyresearch.ucf.edu/ .

Minimum Qualifications:

• A master’s degree in engineering, architecture, or science from an accredited institution.

• Candidates must also have a minimum of five years of experience with building performance research. A Ph.D. from an accredited institution with a related dissertation topic may be substituted for two years of experience.

• Candidates must have experience writing proposals, contract reports, or journal articles, as well as experience characterizing building performance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience analyzing large quantities of utility data; experience with HVAC controls and data management systems for mid and large buildings.

• Experience writing computer code.

Additional Application Materials Required:

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents be submitted electronically through the Human Resources  website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/ . In addition to the online application, interested candidates must upload:
1) a cover letter,
2) a mission statement,
3) a recent CV documenting the applicant’s education, experience, publications and/or papers in progress, technical skills, and awards,
4) a list of names, affiliations, and contact information (including email, addresses and phone numbers) for three (3) professional references.

NOTE:  Please have all application documents ready when applying so they can be attached at that time. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.

Questions regarding this search may be directed to Karen Fenaughty, Search Committee Chair, kfenaughty@fsec.ucf.edu

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

This is a full-time, 12-month, non-tenure earning position.

This position is funded by contracts and grants and is intended to renew every 12-months contingent upon available funding.

Occasional travel for conferences or other work is expected.

Are Benefits Important to You?

Working at UCF has its perks!  In addition to helping drive change and having a positive impact by supporting our students, staff, and faculty, UCF offers:

• Benefit packages including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, healthcare flexible spending accounts, and an Employee Assistance Program.
• Paid time off, including annual and sick leave and paid holidays.
• Retirement savings options.
• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando area attractions.
• Education assistance.
• Flexible work environment.

And more…For more benefits information, go to ‘Prospective Employees’ on the UCF Human Resources website (https://hr.ucf.edu/ )

Who Are We?

• Founded in 1963 to fuel the region’s talent pipeline and support the growing U.S. space program, UCF is built to make a better future for our students and society. It’s one of the reasons U.S. News & World Report ranks UCF among the nation’s top 20 most innovative colleges, while Forbes, Kiplinger , and The Princeton Review rank us a best-value university. UCF is one of 14 universities nationwide designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and a Research 1 university. With 13 colleges, including a fully accredited College of Medicine, UCF offers more than 220-degree programs between its main campus, downtown campus, hospitality campus, academic health sciences campus, and 11 UCF Connect centers located throughout the region. In addition, UCF extends its reach to communities in and beyond Central Florida by offering complete, online programs leading to bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, Ph.D.'s., certificates, and more.

• We seek candidates who will enhance our representational diversity and whose research, teaching, and community engagement efforts contribute to diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning and working environments for our students, staff, and faculty. We hope to identify individuals who will assist in our mission to ensure that underrepresented groups have the opportunity to succeed at UCF.

• UCF is one of the largest universities in the nation and with more than 70,000 students is the largest university by enrollment in Florida.  It is at the center of the Florida High Tech Corridor where industries include software, defense, space, simulation and training, and entertainment. Adjacent to UCF is a thriving research park that conducts over $2 billion in funded research. Great weather, easy access to the seashore, one of the largest convention centers in the nation, and one of the world’s best airports are just a few features that make Orlando an ideal location. Learn more about UCF at http://www.ucf.edu/faculty.

The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer. Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of higher education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to employment in research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty positions (including employed visiting positions), graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, postdoctoral scholar positions, and undergraduate positions.

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Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

As an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, UCF encourages all qualified applicants to apply, including women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of traditionally underrepresented populations. UCF's Equal Opportunity Statement can be viewed at  http//www.oie.ucf.edu/documents/PresidentsStatement.pdf.

As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.

The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.