Energy Systems Data Science Postdoctoral Researcher

Idaho National Laboratory • Idaho Falls, ID

2h • Onsite

About The Position

The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate for its Energy and Water Systems Analysis group. The researcher will apply data science, machine learning, optimization, and reliability and risk analysis methods to hydropower, marine energy, and other power system assets. The role also contributes to software and data tools that support decision-making by the energy industry and research sponsors. The team is based at INL’s Idaho Falls facility and works a 9x80 schedule, with every other Friday off.

Potential research includes reliability analysis and risk assessment of marine energy technologies; machine-learning prediction of dynamic loading on energy infrastructure under icing conditions, together with reliability and risk evaluation; and developing an electricity-price database and integrating price forecasting into optimization-based valuation tools. The researcher may also contribute to analysis supporting hydropower technology commercialization and fish passage, assessment of non-powered dams, and evaluation of the techno-economic potential of adding complementary technologies such as energy storage to existing hydropower plants.

The researcher will work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary R&D team, carrying out work under the direction of project managers and principal investigators. The position includes writing scientific manuscripts for journal publication, contributing to proposals for continued research funding, and presenting research results at conferences and sponsor meetings. The position requires creativity, initiative, adaptability, and strong communication skills.

The appointment is a postdoctoral position. PhD requirements must be completed by the appointment’s commencement and within the previous five years. The stated annual pay is $105,144. Benefits and relocation information is listed in the posting; benefit eligibility depends on factors including employment status and position classification.

Requirements

• PhD in electrical engineering, power and energy systems, industrial or systems engineering, mechanical engineering, data science, operations research, computer science, or another relevant discipline.
• PhD requirements must be completed by the commencement of the appointment and within the previous five years.
• Demonstrated oral and published written communication skills in English.
• Proficiency in Python.
• Experience applying data analytics and machine learning to engineering or energy systems problems.
• Experience with at least one of reliability analysis, risk assessment, or mathematical optimization.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with reliability engineering and quantitative risk assessment methods, such as probabilistic or structural reliability, uncertainty quantification, Monte Carlo simulation, fault tree analysis, or failure mode analysis.
• Experience formulating and solving optimization problems, such as linear, mixed-integer, or stochastic programming, using tools such as Pyomo, Gurobi, or similar.
• Experience in techno-economic analysis of energy projects, including hybrid systems combining hydropower with energy storage or other generation.
• Experience with hydropower, non-powered dams, fish passage, marine energy, offshore wind, or other energy-water issues.

Responsibilities

• Apply data science, machine learning, optimization, and reliability and risk analysis methods to hydropower, marine energy, and other power system assets.
• Contribute to software and data tools that support decision-making by the energy industry and research sponsors.
• Conduct reliability analysis and risk assessment of marine energy technologies and prepare resulting journal publications.
• Develop machine-learning methods to predict dynamic loading on energy infrastructure under icing conditions and evaluate reliability and risk.
• Develop an electricity-price database and integrate price forecasting into optimization-based valuation tools.
• Support data science and analysis for hydropower technology commercialization, fish passage projects, and assessment of non-powered dams.
• Contribute to technical assistance evaluating the techno-economic potential of hybridizing existing hydropower plants with complementary technologies, such as energy storage.
• Execute project work under the direction of project managers and principal investigators, independently and collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary R&D team.
• Write scientific manuscripts for journal publication and contribute to proposals for continued research funding.
• Present research results at conferences and sponsor meetings.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage, and flexible spending accounts.
• 401(k) access for postdoctoral positions through self-contributions; the posting also describes a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match for regular positions.
• Paid time off (personal leave).
• Employee Education Program, including tuition assistance for eligible positions.
• Comprehensive relocation package.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree