Electro-magnetic transient (EMT) modeling, laboratory verification, and stability analysis for power systems Researcher

NLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado, 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 accelerate energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From mission-driven culture to collaborative teams, NLR stands out 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 strengthens U.S. industries, supports job creation, and promotes national economic growth.

About the role

The Integrated Devices and Systems (IDS) Group of the Power Systems and Engineering Center (PSEC) at the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is seeking an exceptional researcher to support modeling and simulation of modern power grids and integration of advanced technologies such as inverter-based resources (IBRs). The successful candidate will work on cutting-edge projects in power system modeling, simulation, and stability analysis, addressing stability and reliability challenges of the future grid.

Responsibilities

• Develop high-fidelity EMT models for various inverter-based resources (e.g., advanced pumped storage hydro, data centers, grid-forming/grid-following inverters) for large-scale power grid studies.
• Design ride-through controls of IBRs and implement and validate models in EMT simulation environments such as PSCAD, RTDS, or ParaEMT.
• Contribute to the development of advanced simulation tools, platforms, and testbeds for large-scale EMT analysis.
• Conduct large-scale transient analysis including small-signal stability, transient stability, and voltage stability for high IBR-dominated systems.
• Lead laboratory experiments to validate models and equipment, inform model development, and answer critical questions regarding integrated system operation.
• Support development of AI-assisted tools for grid stability monitoring, scenario generation, and digital twin applications.
• 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).
• Support interconnection studies, grid impact assessments, and compliance studies.
• Prepare results in the form of reports and presentations.
• Write and publish results of analyses in peer-reviewed journals, transactions, conference proceedings, and/or technical reports.

Qualifications

For Researcher II:

• Relevant PhD, or relevant Master's Degree, or relevant Bachelor's Degree and 2+ years of experience.
• Demonstrates broad understanding and wide application of engineering technical procedures, principles, theories, and concepts in the field.
• General knowledge of other related disciplines.
• Demonstrated leadership in team, task, or project lead responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience in management of projects.
• Very good writing, interpersonal, and communication skills.

For Researcher III:

• Relevant PhD, or relevant Master's Degree and 3+ years of experience, or relevant Bachelor's Degree and 5+ years of experience.
• Demonstrates broad understanding and wide application of engineering technical procedures, principles, theories, and concepts in the field.
• General knowledge of other related disciplines.
• Demonstrated leadership in team, task, or project lead responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience in management of projects.
• Very good writing, interpersonal, and communication skills.

Requirements

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE security clearance at the Q/TS/SCI level. A polygraph may be required. U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances.
• Relevant degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related fields.
• Solid background in power systems dynamics and modeling, including load flow, short-circuit, and contingency analysis.
• Experience with power system simulation tools in EMT environment (e.g., PSCAD, RTDS, OPAL-RT, ParaEMT).
• Strong understanding of inverter-based resource (IBR) modeling and integration challenges, and power system stability concepts.

Skills

• Hands-on modeling experience with EMT simulation tools (e.g., PSCAD, RSCAD, OPAL-RT, or EMTP).
• Strong understanding of small-signal, transient, and voltage stability.
• Familiarity with EMT modeling of IBRs, such as data centers, advanced pumped-storage hydro, batteries, wind and solar, grid-forming inverters.
• Experience in modeling and simulation of inverter-based resources (IBRs) and stability analysis of high-IBR-dominated power systems.
• Hands-on experience with data center modeling 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.
• At least one paper on inverter stability/modeling.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to process, interpret, and present technical results clearly.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Interest in AI/ML applications for power system modeling and analysis.

Benefits

• 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.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Eligibility for performance-, merit-, and achievement-based awards with a monetary component.
• Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement.

Pay

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week):

• Researcher III: $83,600 - $150,500
• Researcher II: $76,600 - $126,400

NLR considers education, training, experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel, external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining salary. Salary history will not be used in compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.

Schedule

Full-time, 40 hours per week.