Postdoctoral Researcher: Modeling, Simulation and Analysis of Large-Scale Power Systems

National Renewable Energy Laboratory • Golden, CO

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Grid Automation and Control (GAC) Group of the Power Systems and Engineering Center (PSEC) at NLR is looking for an exceptional Ph.D. graduate to support research in the modeling and simulation of the modern power grids, while the power grid is transitioning to a grid with increasing growth of load and inverter-based resources(IBRs). The successful candidate will be working on cutting-edge projects in power system modeling, simulation, and stability analysis. The successful candidate is expected to bring in solid large-scale bulk power system modeling and simulation expertise to address the stability, reliability challenges of the future grid. Successful candidates will join the GAC group in the Power System Engineering Center (PSEC) at NLR, a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative team of engineers, analysts, and software developers. GAC works to develop and apply state-of-the-art energy system modeling techniques, software, and simulations for breakthrough engineering and techno-economic analysis of the emerging future electric grid and broader interconnected energy system: transportation, buildings, gas, communication/controls, and beyond. PSEC supports the science and technology goals of the U.S. Department of Energy, NLR, and industry partners toward a sustainable energy future. We work with the electricity industry and broader research community to conduct high-impact research and development that provides practical solutions to grid design and integration challenges that enable sustainable energy systems. PSEC uniquely combines the most advanced research techniques with real-world experience for achieving sustainable electricity grids. This will be a hybrid position (mix of in-person work at South Table Mountain Campus in Golden, CO and work-from-home days, in any given work week), unless otherwise agreed upon by the Hiring Manager.

Requirements

• Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.
• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
• Relevant Ph.D. or Ph.D. candidate in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science or related fields.
• Solid background in power systems dynamics and modeling including load flow, short-circuit, and contingency analysis.
• Proficiency with power system simulation tools in Phasor-domain (e.g.,PSSE, PSLF, Powerworld, etc. )
• Strong understanding of inverter-based resource(IBR) integration challenges, and power system stability concepts.

Nice To Haves

• Strong understanding of small-signal, transient, and voltage stability.
• Hands-on experience developing user-defined dynamic models of IBRs in PSS/E or PSLF.
• Familiarity with modeling of energy storage systems, including pumped-storage hydro and batteries.
• Experience in modeling and simulation of inverter-based resources (IBRs) and stability analysis of high-IBR-dominated power systems.
• Experience with data center modeling is a plus.
• Hands-on experience with new IBR models (e.g., WECC REGFMA1, REGFMB1, vendor-provided models) is a plus.
• Experience with software development in Python, C++, or other programming languages.
• Hands-on experience developing automated tools for accelerating contingency analysis is a plus.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to process, interpret, and present technical results clearly.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct transient analysis (small-signal, transient, and voltage stability) for high IBR-dominated systems.
• Support large-scale power system studies (e.g., national-scale scenarios) using commercial tools (e.g., PSSE, PSLF, PSCAD) or open-source tools (e.g., ParaEMT, ANDES and others).
• Develop new type of electrical components (such as advanced pumped storage hydro, data center, etc.) for large-scale power grids study.
• Support interconnection studies, grid impact assessments, and compliance studies.
• Prepare the results in form of reports and presentations.
• Write and publish results of analyses in peer-reviewed journals, transactions, conference proceedings, and/or technical reports.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

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