Postdoctoral Researcher: Bulk Power Systems Multi-timescale Operation, Modeling and Simulation
Posting Title
Postdoctoral Researcher: Bulk Power Systems Multi-timescale Operation, Modeling and Simulation .
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 energy systems research and development. Join the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NREL stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth.
At NREL, you’ll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being.
Job Description
Grid Automation and Control (GAC) Group of the Power Systems and Engineering Center (PSEC) at NREL is looking for an exceptional Ph.D. graduate to support research in the operation, modeling, and simulation of the power grid, while the power grid is transitioning to a modern grid with increasing growth of load and inverter-based resources (IBRs). The successful candidate will join a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative team of engineers, analysts, and software developers. GAC works to develop and apply state-of-the-art energy system modeling techniques, software, and simulations for breakthrough engineering and techno-economic analysis of the emerging future electric grid and broader interconnected energy system: transportation, buildings, gas, communication/controls, and beyond.
PSEC supports the science and technology goals of the U.S. Department of Energy, NREL, and industry partners toward a sustainable energy future. We work with the electricity industry and broader research community to conduct high-impact research and development that provides practical solutions to grid design and integration challenges that enable sustainable energy systems. PSEC uniquely combines the most advanced research techniques with real-world experience for achieving sustainable electricity grids.
The successful candidate will be working on developing the cutting-edge modeling and simulation technologies of the future modern power grid. The successful candidate is expected to bring in solid power system modeling expertise including power system networks, loads, and dynamic electrical components, like synchronous generators and inverter-based resources; develop innovative optimization platforms to address the challenges and resolutions of operating a future grid; and have a passion to explore the future modern power grids in terms of economics, stability, reliability and resilience.
Job duties and responsibilities include:
- Conduct studies of the power system to address stability challenges for utility partners from an operational planning perspective.
- Modeling of power systems from day-ahead unit commitment down to real-time economic dispatch.
- Develop the advanced ancillary service/controls for new type of electrical components (such as IBRs and data center) to improve the stability, reliability, and resilience of the power grid.
- Maintain/enhance existing NREL simulation testbeds/platforms/tools for testing innovative research ideas.
- Prepare the results in form of reports and presentations.
- Write and publish results of analyses in peer-reviewed journals, transactions, conference proceedings, and/or technical reports.
This will be a hybrid position (mix of in-person work at South Table Mountain Campus in Golden, CO and work-from-home days, in any given work week) unless otherwise agreed upon by the Hiring Manager.
.
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.
- Strong background in power systems modeling and simulation.
- Advanced modeling expertise in power systems modeling and simulations of grid system scheduling from unit commitment to economic dispatch.
- Excellent expertise in computer programming or software development; Python is preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity with modeling renewables, and energy storage. Understanding ISO electricity markets is a plus.
- Experience with software development in Python, GAMS, C++, or other programming languages.
- Experience with two or more power system simulation tools (e.g., PSS/E, Powerworld, MAPS, PSCAD, RSCAD, RTDS, MATLAB/Simulink, PSAT, and others)
- Experience with stability constraint development for scheduling model is a plus.
- Experience with developing AC-OPF-based method for large-scale power systems is a plus.
- Experience with commercial software development and GUI development is a plus.
- Excellent writing and verbal communication skills
.
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.
.
Equal Opportunity 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.
Reasonable Accommodations
E-Verify
www.dhs.gov/E-Verify
For information about right to work, click here
for English or here
for Spanish. E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce.