Postdoctoral Researcher: Power System Operation and Optimization

Posting Title

Postdoctoral Researcher:
Power System Operation and Optimization

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Location

CO - Golden

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Position Type

Postdoc (Fixed Term)

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Hours Per Week

40

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Working at NLR

NLR is 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 Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR 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 NLR, 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

The Grid Automation and Controls Group of the Power Systems and Engineering Center (PSEC) at the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is looking for an exceptional Ph.D. graduate to support research in power grid operation and optimization.

We are looking for a power system researcher who has solid background on power system modeling, operation, and optimization. Ideal candidate is expected to have strong experience in understanding power system operations and energy management topics, and developing optimization models and/or data-driven controls that are related to at least one of the following topics:

* Developing energy management strategies related to ADMS, DERMS, microgrid controls, home energy management system

* Developing optimization schemes or data-driven controls for grid reliability and resilience

* Developing grid automation and control schemes

Ideal candidate is also expected to have a proven record of publishing research work in prestigious journals. The successful candidate will work on multiple projects, and collaborate with both internal researchers and external partners.

Note:

this position requires in-person work arrangements at NLR's South Table Mountain Campus in Golden, CO and is not eligible for 100% remote work.

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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 power system modeling, optimization, and control

* Experience in at least one of the power system software tools including OpenDSS, PSCAD, PSS/E

* Experience in at least one of the optimization solvers and platforms such as CPLEX, CVXPY, Pyomo, GAMS

* Proficiency in MATLAB or Python programming

Preferred Qualifications

* Familiarity with microgrid, grid resilience, grid cybersecurity

* Familiarity with market participation, demand response, virtual power plant

* Familiarity 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

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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:
Postdoctoral Researcher / Annual Salary Range: $76,600 - $126,400

NLR 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. NLR 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

NLR is subject to…