Postdoctoral Researcher: Power System Operation and Optimization

About the role

The Grid Automation and Controls Group of the Power Systems and Engineering Center (PSEC) at the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to support research in power grid operation and optimization.

Responsibilities

• Support research in power grid operation and optimization.
• Develop energy management strategies related to ADMS, DERMS, microgrid controls, and home energy management systems.
• Develop optimization schemes or data-driven controls for grid reliability and resilience.
• Develop grid automation and control schemes.
• Collaborate with both internal researchers and external partners on multiple projects.

Requirements

• Recent Ph.D. graduate within the last three years.
• Relevant Ph.D. or Ph.D. candidate in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science or related fields.
• Experience in power system modeling, optimization, and control.
• Experience in at least one of the power system software tools including OpenDSS, PSCAD, PSS/E.
• Experience in at least one of the optimization solvers and platforms such as CPLEX, CVXPY, Pyomo, GAMS.
• Proficiency in MATLAB or Python programming.

Qualifications

• Familiarity with microgrid, grid resilience, grid cybersecurity.
• Familiarity with market participation, demand response, virtual power plant.
• Proficiency in commercial/open-source optimization solvers and packages (e.g., GAMS, Gurobi, CPLEX).
• Software development experience is a plus.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
• Track record in strong scientific publications.

Benefits

• 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.
• Paid holidays.

Pay

Annual Salary Range: $76,600 - $126,400

Schedule

In-person work arrangements at NLR's South Table Mountain Campus in Golden, CO. Not eligible for 100% remote work.