Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Center for Advancing Community Electrification Solutions (ACES)

Lehigh University’s ACES Center is seeking a highly qualified postdoctoral researcher for a multidisciplinary project on the stability and cyber-physical security of hyperscale data centers in future inverter-dominated power grids. This collaborative effort spans the Electrical and Computer Engineering (Dr. Javad Khazaei and Dr. Shalinee Kishore) and Civil and Environmental Engineering (Dr. Faegheh Moazeni) departments.

About the role

The position focuses on the fundamental interaction between gigawatt-scale hyperscale data centers and modern power grids with high penetration of inverter-based resources (IBRs). The resulting system is a tightly coupled cyber-physical infrastructure where power electronics, AI-driven workloads, UPS systems, and grid dynamics interact across multiple timescales, creating new and poorly understood instability mechanisms.

A key feature of this position is the opportunity to collaborate with the Siemens Research and Development team through existing partnerships, providing exposure to industrial-scale inverter technologies and pathways for translating theoretical results into practice.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and analyze experiments, contributing to the overall goals of the research group.
• Prepare and publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present results at conferences.
• Assist in the mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students, providing guidance on experimental techniques, data analysis, and project development.
• Contribute to grant writing, including assisting in the development of proposals and identifying funding opportunities.
• Participate in departmental seminars, workshops, and other events, engaging with the academic community.
• Contribute to teaching responsibilities, including delivering lectures, leading lab sessions, and supporting curriculum development (subject to department needs and funding agency requirements).

Requirements

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Control, Applied Mathematics, or related field (completed or near completion).
• Strong publication record in top-tier journals or conferences in power systems, control, or cyber-physical systems.
• Strong expertise in at least one: power system dynamics, inverter-based resources, microgrid modeling, or nonlinear control.
• Solid foundation in dynamical systems, optimization, or control theory.
• Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, or equivalent scientific computing tools.
• Strong writing, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proven ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative research team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with inverter-dominated grids, grid-forming or grid-following control.
• Background in cyber-physical systems, resilience, or energy infrastructure security.
• Familiarity with data center systems (UPS, rectifiers, workload-energy coupling).
• Experience with real-time simulation or HIL platforms (OPAL-RT, RTDS, PSCAD, etc.).
• Strong interdisciplinary research record across power systems and control.
• Publications in IEEE Transactions, IFAC, or equivalent venues.

Schedule

This is a full-time, one-year position with the possibility of renewal based on performance and funding availability. The position will start on a mutually agreed-upon date.

Pay

Anticipated salary: $63,480. Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, including benefits.

Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare plans.
• Tuition remission.
• Retirement savings opportunities.