Postdoctoral Researcher: Inverter- Resources; IBR Driven Power System Protection Study

Postdoctoral Researcher:
Inverter-based Resources (I ) Driven Power System Protection Study & Stability Analysis

Location: CO - Golden

Position Type: Postdoc (Fixed Term)

Hours Per Week: 40

This position is within the Energy Systems Control and Optimization (ESCO) group within the Power Systems Engineering Center (PSEC) at The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR). It will be dedicated to multiple high impact projects to advance the state-of-the-art transient stability studies in inverter-based‑resource (I ) dominant grids. The successful candidate will be a key contributor to those projects, developing innovative solutions for protection and stability of low‑inertia power systems.

• Develop protective relay models based on vendor relay datasheets and manuals.
• Perform comprehensive fault studies to evaluate adequacy of existing protection schemes, propose improvements, and validate through simulated relay models and hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) testing.
• Investigate I ‑driven stability from device level to system level, proposing stability improvement control strategies for I ‑dominant power systems with low inertia and short‑circuit ratio (SCR).
• Create EMT models of I ‑dominated power systems in PSCAD, develop scripts to run large sets of simulation scenarios, and extract key features for stability studies.
• Lead and/or contribute to journal articles, conference papers, and technical reports.

Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years and meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

• Strong background in power system protection and knowledge of protection relays (differential, distance, directional, traveling wave). Hands‑on experience with relay configuration, HIL testing, and results analysis using Synchrowave and similar tools.
• Good knowledge in power electronics, control theory, and power system stability; familiar with I  modeling, control, and stability analysis (small‑signal, transient).
• Experience with short‑circuit programs (e.g., CAPE, ASPEN) and power system simulation software (PSCAD, PSSE, PSLF, MATLAB/Simulink, RSCAD). Proficiency in Python programming.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and troubleshoot issues.

Annual salary range (based on full‑time 40‑hour week): $76,600 – $126,400.

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. Eligibility is based on rules as applicable. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement.

All employees must obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD‑12) and a favorable background investigation.

NLR is committed to maintaining a drug‑free workplace in compliance with federal law. A pre‑employment drug test is required before commencement of employment.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, or any other protected status under applicable law.

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