Grid Edge ML & Real-Time Control Researcher

UT-Battelle; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

UT-Battelle at Oak Ridge National Laboratory seeks a R&D associate staff member for the Grid Interactive Controls group. The role focuses on grid-edge sensing, reliable timing, and model aggregation to improve dynamic observability and resilience in distributed grid systems.

The candidate will work with DOE and collaborate across national labs, industry, and academia, applying ML and real-time validation techniques to deployable control-ready solutions. A Ph.D. in a related field is required.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in electrical engineering, power systems, or closely related field.
• Strong background in power system modeling, dynamic simulation, and DER integration.
• Experience with real-time systems, hardware-in-the-loop simulation, or power system testbeds.
• Proficiency in programming and data analysis using Python, MATLAB, C/C++, or similar languages.
• Ability to develop, validate, and document research prototypes and workflows.
• Strong written and verbal communication for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Conduct innovative research on real-time, time-synchronized measurement-to-model approaches for modern power systems.
• Develop grid-edge sensing and real-time monitoring systems for high-resolution situational awareness.
• Design timing and synchronization architectures for time-consistent measurements and models.
• Integrate grid-edge measurements into workflows for DER aggregation and parameter identification.
• Apply machine learning to improve model calibration and uncertainty assessment.
• Build hardware-in-the-loop test platforms for real-time validation.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to transition prototypes into deployable solutions.
• Align efforts with ORNL values and promote equal opportunity in the workplace.

Skills

Power system modeling

Real-time systems

Python

MATLAB

C/C++

Strong communication

Education

Ph.D. in electrical engineering or closely related field

Tools

PSCAD

PSSE

OpenDSS

MATLAB/Simulink

OPAL-RT

RTDS

Typhoon HIL

Job description

UT-Battelle at Oak Ridge National Laboratory seeks a R&D associate staff member for the Grid Interactive Controls group. The role focuses on grid-edge sensing, reliable timing, and model aggregation to improve dynamic observability and resilience in distributed grid systems.

The candidate will work with DOE and collaborate across national labs, industry, and academia, applying ML and real-time validation techniques to deployable control-ready solutions. A Ph.D. in a related field is required.