Posting Title
Postdoctoral Researcher: Power System Operation and Optimization

Location
CO - Golden

Position Type
Postdoc (Fixed Term)

Hours Per Week
40

Working at NREL
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for research and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

Join a team of world-class scientists, engineers, and visionaries dedicated to shaping the world's energy future through cutting-edge research and innovation. From our vision to our NREL community, we are unique in the research community. We are focused on impact. From our work in basic sciences to systems engineering, analysis, demonstration, and deployment, we are focused on solving market-relevant problems that result in advanced, secure, reliable, and affordable energy systems. We are trusted clean energy leaders, developing cost-saving solutions that make U.S. industries more competitive, and support job creation and economic growth across rural and urban communities.

At NREL, we offer a unique, mission-driven work environment with cutting-edge facilities and multidisciplinary research teams. NREL's environment offers strong partnerships with industry, academia, and other national laboratories, as well as professional development opportunities and a competitive benefits package for employees.

Learn about NREL's critical objectives: NREL's Mission and Vision.

Job Description

Are you passionate about the future of energy and want to make a lasting impact on the transition to a low-carbon, renewable-powered grid? The Grid Automation and Controls Group at the Power Systems and Engineering Center (PSEC) at NREL is looking for an innovative Ph.D. graduate to join our dynamic team. As a researcher in this cutting-edge field, you'll play a critical role in advancing the operation, control, and optimization of power grids as they evolve to integrate increasing levels of renewable energy.

We are seeking a Power Systems Researcher with a deep expertise in power grid modeling, operations, and optimization. The ideal candidate will have research experience in areas such as:

• DER Optimization & Control: Developing data-driven solutions for improving grid reliability and resilience through advanced Distributed Energy Resources (DER) management.
• Grid Automation & Control: Designing next-generation automation schemes, including volt-var control, inverter control, and other grid management strategies.
• Dynamic Modeling & Simulation: Creating detailed dynamic models for grid behavior and contributing to hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) experiments to validate new technologies.

In addition to a solid technical foundation, we're looking for someone who has demonstrated excellence in publishing high-impact research in reputable journals. If you're passionate about solving real-world energy challenges and working in a collaborative, high-impact environment, this is the opportunity for you.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead research projects on grid automation, control systems, and DER integration.
• Work with a team of interdisciplinary experts to design and test innovative solutions for future grid operations.
• Collaborate with both internal researchers and external partners on cutting-edge power system technologies.
• Publish research findings in top-tier journals and present results at leading industry conferences.

This role provides the chance to work on some of the most exciting and critical challenges in the energy sector, and contribute directly to the digital transformation of power systems to accommodate the clean energy future.

The Ideal Candidate:

• Holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering, power systems, or a closely related field.
• Has experience in power system modeling, control, and optimization, especially in the context of DERs.
• Is familiar with grid automation technologies and dynamic simulation methods.
• Has a strong publication record in prestigious academic journals.

Join us at NREL and be at the forefront of pioneering research that shapes the future of energy systems, ensuring they are sustainable, resilient, and adaptable to tomorrow's needs.

Basic Qualifications
Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Relevant Ph.D. or Ph.D. candidate in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science or related fields.
• Experience in distributed energy resource modeling, optimization, and control
• Experience in power system modeling and optimization
• Experience in at least one of the power system software tools including OpenDSS, PSCAD, PSS/E
• Proficiency in Matlab or Python programming

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiar with microgrid, grid resilience, grid cybersecurity
• Familiar with market participation, virtual power plant.
• Familiar with T&D coordination

• Proficiency in commercial/open-source optimization solvers and packages (e.g., GAMS, Gurobi, CPLEX)
• Software development experience is a plus. Experience with software development in Python, C++, or other programming languages.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
• Track record in strong scientific publications

Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)
Job Profile: Postdoctoral Researcher / Annual Salary Range: $74,900 - $123,600

NREL takes into consideration a candidate's education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee's salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits Summary
Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short-term disability insurance*; pension benefits*; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; and paid holidays. NREL employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement.

* Based on eligibility rules

Badging Requirement
NREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation.

Drug Free Workplace

NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

EEO Policy

NREL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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