Post Doctorate Research Associate – Energy Systems Engineering

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; Montgomery (AL); On-site; USD 69,000 - 119,000; Full time

Job summary

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join the Energy Systems Engineering Group in Richland, WA, focusing on power systems operations, grid security, and emerging control challenges. The candidate will contribute to cross‑disciplinary research and push the state of the art through collaborations and publications.

The role emphasizes independent task execution, data analytics, and scripting, with opportunities to present findings at conferences and

Qualifications

• PhD in electrical engineering or related field.
• Proficiency in scripting languages like MATLAB, Python.
• Hands‑on experience with commercial power system control and telecommunications hardware.
• Experience in communications simulation software, such as ns-3.
• Strong technical writing and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative, technically rigorous research approaches to address challenges in modern power system dynamics, emerging power electronics‑interfaced loads, generation/storage resources, and electrified transportation.
• Collaborate with researchers from diverse technical backgrounds to contribute to solutions for the grid of the future.
• Execute research tasks with appropriate guidance, demonstrating increasing independence over time, and manage small, well‑defined technical efforts as experience grows.
• Contribute to high‑quality technical products such as journal articles, conference papers, and technical reports, and present findings to internal and external audiences.
• Support the development of new research ideas and assist in preparing proposals that expand capabilities and advance program objectives.

Skills

Power systems

Python

MATLAB

Technical writing

Oral communication

Collaboration

Education

PhD in electrical engineering

Tools

Protection relays

MPLS

Fiber optics

Routers

Firewalls

ns-3

Job description

Overview

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.

Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.

The Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation’s power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management.

The Electricity Infrastructure and Buildings Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, is accelerating the transition to an efficient, resilient, and secure energy system through basic and applied research. We leverage a strong technical foundation in power and energy systems and advanced data analytics to drive innovation, transform markets, and shape energy policy.

Responsibilities

The Energy Systems Engineering Group is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join a dynamic research program at the intersection of power systems operations, telecommunications, and emerging grid security challenges posed by evolving controls automation and faster acting grid dynamics. The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in power systems, familiarity with grid telecommunication systems and basic cybersecurity principles. Experience with grid operations, protection hardware systems (e.g. relays), and timing systems, such as PTP, NTP, will be highly desirable. Other valuable skills include strong technical writing, experience with data analytics, machine learning, or AI applications, and familiarity with version control platforms such as Git.

Beyond technical skills, we are looking for an intellectually curious, self-directed researcher who thrives in a collaborative, multi-institutional environment. The ability to grow quickly into new problem domains matters as much as specific prior expertise. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to peer-reviewed publications, present findings to technical and industry audiences, and play an active role in shaping research directions.

Key responsibilities include, but aren’t limited to:

• Supporting the development of innovative, technically rigorous research approaches to address challenges in modern power system dynamics, emerging power electronics-interfaced loads, generation/storage resources, and electrified transportation.
• Collaborating closely with researchers from diverse technical backgrounds across the group and division to contribute to solutions that enable the grid of the future.
• Executing research tasks with appropriate guidance, demonstrating increasing independence over time, and managing small, well‑defined technical efforts as experience grows.
• Contributing to high‑quality technical products such as journal articles, conference papers, and technical reports, and presenting research findings to internal and external audiences.
• Supporting the development of new research ideas and assisting in the preparation of proposals that expand capabilities and advance program objectives.

The successful candidate will be accountable to:

• Project Managers for meeting expectations around task execution, quality, and timeliness.
• The Energy Systems Engineering Group Leader and Grid Architecture and Communications Team Lead, for general staff performance and development and operational discipline (e.g., maintaining training qualifications, procedural compliance, safe operations).

On-site in Richland, WA is strongly preferred; remote work may be considered

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Candidates must have received a PhD within the past five years (60 months) or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in electrical engineering or related field.
• Proficiency in scripting languages like MATLAB, Python.
• Hands‑on experience with commercial power system control and telecommunications hardware, like protection relays, MPLS or other fiber optic nodes, microwave radios , routers , firewalls etc .
• Experience in communications simulation software , such as ns-3 , or with communications impairment test equipment .
• Strong technical writing and oral communication skills.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

Not applicable.

Testing Designated Position

This is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).

About PNNL

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world‑class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!

At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.

Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment Opportunity

Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at [e-mail] .

Drug Free Workplace

PNNL is committed to a drug‑free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.

If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements

As a national laboratory, PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement thereafter, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the PIV credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.

Mandatory Requirements

Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as "country of risk" without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.

Rockstar Rewards

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match*. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

• Research Associates excluded.

**All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.

Notice to Applicants

PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual’s relevant job‑related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited‑term positions which have specific pay rules.

As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.

Minimum Salary

USD $69,000.00/Yr.

Maximum Salary

USD $119,100.00/Yr.