Sociologist / Experimental Psychologist / Human Factors Fellowship

About the Position:

The Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems (CSE) is looking for a fellow to join its Building Energy Efficiency Group. This is an opportunity to carry out R&D in a new Fraunhofer center on a combination of external and internal projects. You’ll be a key part of a dynamic team based in Boston, Massachusetts working on sustainable energy technology development. Fellowship positions typically last for 6 months, but longer fellowships can also be accommodated. Many fellows go on to find successful employment because of the practical experience acquired at Fraunhofer CSE. 

We are looking for a fellow to work with our Behavioral Scientist on the design and implementation of field experiments that evaluate the responsiveness of households to behavioral interventions and the interaction with energy saving technology. The fellow will engage with the field experiment participants to perform interviews, collect and code the data, and do analysis and reporting. You will learn about and help perform focus group research, human factors research, statistical data analysis, and reporting.

We are looking for a candidate with good interpersonal communication skills who will enjoy engaging with participants of different backgrounds, during the deployment of the field experiments.  

Responsibilities and Learning Opportunities:

• Learn about and participate in the design and deployment of field experiments that are designed to promote the adoption of sustainable behaviors, habits, and lifestyles that focuses specifically in energy consumption in buildings
• Collaborate in the design and implementation of field experiments to gain experience in: design, engagement, interview, development of survey instruments, analysis and reporting
• Learn about and help design surveys, as well as laboratory (e.g., focus group interview) and field tests to evaluate the effectiveness of different types of energy-use feedback devices from a human factors perspective
• Learn about and assist in data collection and data analysis, as well preparing the results for publication or client reports
• The fellow will also have the opportunity to acquire invaluable practical research experience, through the interaction with clients and other organizations

Required Education and Academic or Fellowship Experience:

• An excellent academic record in experimental psychology, organizational psychology, sociology or other relevant social sciences discipline.
• Experience in behavioral or human factors research methods
• Experience in statistical data analysis
• Experience in survey and experimental design
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to accept a high degree of responsibility in a team-based organization, combined with ability to work independently
• Going the extra mile to support the team’s research projects

About Fraunhofer CSE:

The Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems (CSE) in Cambridge, MA is part of Fraunhofer USA, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit contract R&D organization, affiliated with Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, Europe's largest contract R&D group. Fraunhofer CSE's interdisciplinary R&D team is dedicated to serving the applied research needs of the sustainable energy industry, helping established industry players and startup companies alike develop clean energy technologies from the laboratory to the production line.  The Center has active development projects in the areas of energy efficient building, photovoltaic module, and grid impact of renewable energy technologies. For additional information please view our website at http://cse.fraunhofer.org.

Please apply through the career page on our website at http://cse.fraunhofer.org/jobs---careers/

In your cover letter, please explain what motivates you to apply and how, in your opinion, the skills you would develop from this Fellowship would help you achieve your next career step. 

Fraunhofer CSE is an equal employment opportunity organization.