Principal Researcher – Low-Inertia and Inverter-Based Systems Control and Optimization

Description

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is the nation's primary laboratory for research and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

NREL conducts world-class energy research in the public interest. Nestled in the foothills of Golden, Colorado, and convenient to Denver, Boulder, and several suburbs, the NREL campus is a living experiment filled with expert researchers and advanced energy technologies.

Further, NREL has specific capabilities (e.g., the Energy Systems Integration Facility ESIF and the Advanced Research for Integrated Energy Systems ARIES ) that provide many opportunities for innovative and impactful electric grid-related research that can be accomplished at no other place in the world.

With the rapid transition of the U.S. electrical grid from largely synchronous machine generation-based to low-inertia system that is ever more dependent of inverter-based resources (IBRs), there is increasing need for expertise in the area of control and optimization IBR-rich systems.

The successful candidate will have national and international recognition as an expert in this area of research. The candidate will lead multiple DOE-funded projects, and will have to show proven capability of leading large teams and collaborative efforts.

Further, the successful candidate will have an extensive knowledge of power systems including protection methods, dynamic responses of typical power system components, and system response to abnormal system conditions (faults, weather events).

Prior experience in leading the development of successful research proposals is a must for this position.

Organizationally, this position resides in the Energy Systems Control and Optimization (ESCO) group of the Power Systems and Engineering Center (PSEC).

ESCO, PSEC, and NREL are committed to fostering a creative, curiosity-driven, inclusive workplace, and to supporting and mentoring research staff as they progress from task execution to principal investigator and beyond.

Basic Qualifications

Relevant PhD and 9 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Master's Degree and 12 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 14 or more years of experience.

Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (or related engineering degree) with extensive experience in IBR modeling, control, and optimization;

grid operation and control; power system protection; AI / ML application to power systems; and experience working with hardware and hardware-in-the-loop platforms.

• Apply advanced engineering technical principles, theories and concepts.
• Contributes to the development of new principles and concepts.
• Excellent strategic thinking capability to demonstrate the impact of work and projects.
• Considered a national subject matter expert.
• Demonstrates leadership in a number of areas including all team, task and / or project lead responsibilities (works independently).
• Demonstrated management of complex and / or impactful projects.
• Strong track record in leading the development of successful / winning research proposals.
• Strong track record in leading multi-partner DOE and industry funded projects.
• Strong track record and commitment to mentoring others at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to establish extensive industry collaboration network.
• Strong technical writing skills evident from your publication record.
• Ability to present technical results to a wide audience.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.

Research interests :

• Strong interests in the renewable led future of the U.S. energy system, including renewable energy, electrification, and distributed energy resources.
• Dedication to collaboratively developing tractable IBR and power system models that are relevant to both the research and industry stakeholders.
• Enthusiastic about learning new skills and applying them in a collaborative environment to help address critical energy system research questions..

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in IBR modeling, control, stability analysis, and EMT simulation, with strong track record and national and international recognition as evident from strong publication record
• Extensive experience in power system control and operation for IBR dominant grids
• Extensive experience in digital real-time simulator, control and power hardware-in-the-loop

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 V / Annual Salary Range : $114,500 - $206,100

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

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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