Postdoctoral Research Fellow

SDSU Research Foundation • San Diego, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Under the supervision of an SDSU Faculty member, this position is intended to provide mentored advanced training to enhance professional skills and research independence in the Post Doc's academic discipline. The role involves conducting sponsored research, supervising master’s and undergraduate students in their projects, and collaborating with other postdocs and doctoral students. The primary focus of this position is the Second-life EV battery storage project, which is currently in operation (320kWh) and requires monitoring and continued improvement. The role will also involve developing and validating optimization algorithms, deploying an energy management controller in a SunGrow 550kWh energy storage system, and potentially commercializing the system. Other projects include wireless battery management systems using Dokusi chips, 5kWh Battery pack design and prototyping for solid-state batteries, and 1kWh Battery pack conceptual design for lithium-ion air batteries. The position requires conducting experiments, analyzing data, writing papers and reports, presenting results to sponsors, and participating in proposal writing.

Requirements

• A doctoral degree in an appropriate field.
• Ph.D in electric Engineering with a focus on power electronics.
• Minimum 3 years of experience post Ph.D degree.
• Experience with lithium-ion batteries.
• Excellent publication history.
• Excellent written and oral skills.
• Experience in supervision of graduate and undergraduate students.
• Interact effectively with students, sponsors, and other participants.
• Understand and follow posted work rules and procedures.
• Proficient in power electronics.
• Experience with lithium-ion batteries and storage systems.
• Coding experience with DSP and microprocessors.
• Proficient in Simulation tools such as Maxwell, AutoCAD, Protel DXP, ANSYS Fluent, Simulink, PSIM.
• Experience in the design of power converters.
• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).

Nice To Haves

• Mandarin-speaking is a plus as it may require to communicate with one of the project sponsors in Chinese.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research in power electronics.
• Supervise master’s and undergraduate students in their projects.
• Collaborate with other post doctors and doctoral students.
• Monitor and improve the Second-life EV battery storage project (320kWh).
• Develop and validate optimization algorithms for operation and cost savings.
• Deploy the energy management controller in a SunGrow 550kWh energy storage system.
• Continue to commercialize the system if possible.
• Work on wireless battery management systems using Dokusi chips.
• Design and prototype a 5kWh Battery pack for solid-state batteries.
• Conduct a 1kWh Battery pack conceptual design for lithium-ion air batteries.
• Conduct experiments for the above projects and record data.
• Develop algorithms to optimize the design and operation of the systems.
• Analyze data and write papers and reports.
• Present results to sponsors.
• Participate in writing proposals.

Benefits

• Equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment.
• Equal access to resources and support.

What This Job Offers

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