Researcher III: Simulation & Operation Research Engineer
Posting Title
Researcher III: Simulation & Operation Research Engineer .
Location
CO - Golden .
Position Type
Regular .
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. From day one at NREL, you’ll connect with coworkers driven by the same mission to save the planet. By joining an organization that values a supportive, inclusive, and flexible work environment, you’ll have the opportunity to engage through our ten employee resource groups, numerous employee-driven clubs, and learning and professional development classes.
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Job Description
NREL’s Grid Gas Interoperability team has an immediate opening for a full-time Researcher II or III for process simulation and techno-economic analysis for long duration energy storage for resiliency and other clean energy applications. The Grid and Gas Interoperability research group is seeking a full-time (40 hours per week) research engineer. Working alongside NREL research engineers, the researcher will engage in projects centered around dynamic modeling of hydrogen-based energy storage systems and the development of energy storage deployment and operation models for resilience applications.
This team researches the interactions between the power system and other energy sectors (industrial, building, and transportation) and carriers (natural gas, hydrogen, e-fuels, ammonia, methanol, etc.) that will play a major role in the energy transition. This group—in collaboration with other centers and directorates—will strengthen our analytic capabilities to consider both grid and gas in tandem as it relates to reliability, at both investment and operations timescales. For example, this research may address question of how we can improve representation of the grid (e.g., market prices, value of grid services) in analysis that supports hydrogen R&D, and how we can better co-optimize investment decisions (capacity expansion and retirements) of both the gas and grid networks. It may also address how we can represent gas reliability requirements in grid operations modeling, and how we can better represent gas constraints and capabilities in power system investment and operations models.
The successful candidate for this position will be responsible for:
- Developing a simulation model of an existing hydrogen-based long duration energy storage system and validating it using experimental data.
- Performing techno-economic analysis and long duration energy storage design with focus on resiliency for communities.
- Working with scientists and engineers across interdisciplinary domains to understand and translate concepts and data into rigorous high-fidelity models.
- Preparing reports and articles with findings and analysis from research.
- Giving presentations and communicating effectively with project partners and stakeholders.
This position requires effective knowledge sharing and dissemination through reports, presentations, open source or licensed software and data products, community communication and engagement, and event participation disclosures.
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Basic Qualifications
Researcher III Requirements: Relevant PhD . Or, relevant Master's Degree and 3 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 5 or more years of experience . Demonstrates broad understanding and wide application of engineering technical procedures, principles, theories and concepts in the field. General knowledge of other related disciplines. Demonstrates leadership in one or more areas of team, task or project lead responsibilities. Demonstrated experience in management of projects. Very good writing, interpersonal and communication skills. - Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
Additional Required Qualifications
- MSc/MA or PhD in Advanced Energy Systems, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related disciplines.
- Strong background in process design, modeling, simulation, optimization/operation research, and techno-economic analysis.
- Experience in process and/or transient modeling.
- Advanced user of software tools such as gPROMS, Aspen Plus, ChemCAD, and/or Modelica, and GAMS, Pyomo, and Python.
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of hybrid renewable energy systems with focus on long duration energy storage and hydrogen technologies is highly desirable.
- Experience on modeling the dispatch of energy storage.
- Interest in working with multidisciplinary teams.
- Excellent presentation, communication and writing skills.
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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: Researcher III / Annual Salary Range: $79,600 - $143,300 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*- and long-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; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement*. 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. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement. - Based on eligibility rules
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.
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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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