Advanced Grid Researcher: Power Electronics & DERs

Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Prescription Drug Plan

Dental Plan

Vision Plan

401(k) Retirement Plan

Contributory Pension Plan

Life Insurance

Disability Benefits

Generous Vacation and Holidays

Parental Leave

Legal Insurance with Identity Theft</n

Job summary

Oak Ridge National Laboratory seeks a Research Professional 2 to lead innovative research on advanced electric power systems, grid architectures, and power electronic technologies. You will drive modeling, simulation, hardware validation, and demonstrations within a multidisciplinary team.

The role emphasizes independent leadership, collaboration with national labs and industry partners, and publication activity to advance resilience and sustainability of future energy systems.

Qualifications

• 2 years of relevant research or engineering experience following completion of the Ph.D.
• Demonstrated expertise in power electronics, electric power systems, or grid integration technologies.
• Experience in modeling and simulation of power electronic or electric power systems using tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, PSCAD, PLECS, OPAL-RT, RTDS, or similar platforms.
• Experience developing advanced learning and control algorithms for power electronic converters or grid-interactive systems.
• Hands-on experience with laboratory testing and validation of electrical energy systems.
• Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications and successful technical presentations.
• Ability to independently conduct research while contributing effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent research and development in advanced grid architectures, power electronic systems, and DER integration.
• Develop innovative solutions for power electronics, grid-forming converters, microgrids, and advanced grid control technologies.
• Perform modeling, simulation, and system-level analysis of electric power systems using industry-standard software tools.
• Design, implement, and experimentally validate advanced learning and control strategies for power electronic converters and grid-interactive systems.
• Develop embedded control algorithms using DSP, FPGA, or microcontroller platforms as needed for laboratory validation.
• Support the design, integration, testing, and demonstration of advanced hardware and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) systems.
• Identify emerging research opportunities in grid modernization, electrification, resilient energy systems, and advanced power conversion technologies.
• Lead or support technical tasks within multidisciplinary research projects funded by DOE and other sponsors.
• Prepare technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, conference papers, and presentations for sponsors and the scientific community.
• Contribute to the preparation of competitive research proposals and help expand the Grid System Architecture Group's sponsored research portfolio.
• Develop collaborations with researchers across ORNL as well as with universities, utilities, industry, and government agencies.
• Mentor postdoctoral researchers, students, interns, and visiting researchers as appropriate.
• Deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace - in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Skills

Power electronics

Electric power systems

Grid integration technologies

Modeling and simulations

Learning and control

Laboratory testing

Publications

Team collaboration

Education

Ph.D.

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

PSCAD

PLECS

OPAL-RT

RTDS

Job description

Oak Ridge National Laboratory seeks a Research Professional 2 to lead innovative research on advanced electric power systems, grid architectures, and power electronic technologies. You will drive modeling, simulation, hardware validation, and demonstrations within a multidisciplinary team.

The role emphasizes independent leadership, collaboration with national labs and industry partners, and publication activity to advance resilience and sustainability of future energy systems.