Postdoctoral Researcher: Power Systems Modeling and Analysis

NLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado, and is 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 foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, NLR focuses 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.

At NLR, you'll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being.

About the role

The Price Signals for Grid Services Group within the Grid Planning and Analysis Center (GPAC) at the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is hiring a postdoctoral researcher to join a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative team developing and applying state-of-the-art power system models. GPAC research staff contribute to an exciting portfolio of energy research and analysis, applying advanced modeling and simulation tools to optimally plan, design, and analyze distribution and bulk power systems for reliability, affordability, and security.

This postdoc will support model design and code development for long-term energy systems planning and analysis, focusing on energy demand forecasting, load profiles for different end-use sectors, equipment stock turnover, and end-use technology adoption modeling. The candidate may also engage in projects covering affordability, reliability, electricity markets, and transmission infrastructure growth/investment.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development and implementation of new advanced methods for capacity expansion modeling.
• Research rules, trends, and issues in power system planning and operation (e.g., transmission planning, changes in electricity demand, large load growth) and implement them into electric sector models.
• Execute quality control methods.
• Research, acquire, organize, and analyze large data sets.
• Develop new data architectures to generically and flexibly describe infrastructure systems.
• Collaborate with analysts on other modeling teams to relate inputs and outputs across models.
• Execute scenarios and analyze and interpret results for reporting.
• Write and publish results in peer-reviewed journals and technical reports.
• Assist in the development of proposals for new work.

Requirements

• Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.
• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
• Proficiency using Python.
• Knowledge of U.S. energy systems.
• Proficiency in applied statistical methods and quantitative methods.
• Previous experience with energy and electricity modeling and data.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience presenting research findings to broad—technical and non-technical—audiences.
• Exceptional writing skills and a demonstrated record of publication in the technical/peer-reviewed literature.

Pay

Annual Salary Range: $76,600 - $126,400 (based on full-time 40 hours per week). NLR considers a candidate’s 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. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

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.
• Eligibility for performance-, merit-, and achievement-based awards with a monetary component (not guaranteed).
• Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement.

Schedule

40 hours per week.

NLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card, which includes a favorable background investigation. NLR is a drug-free workplace; pre-employment drug testing is required and includes marijuana unless prohibited by state or local law.