Postdoc: IBR-Driven Power System Protection & Stability

National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement benefits: pension and 403(b

Paid time off and holidays

Life and AD&D insurance

Job summary

National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, CO seeks a PhD‑level expert to advance transient stability studies in inverter‑based resource grids. You will develop protective relay models, perform fault and stability studies, and contribute to publications.

This role requires hands‑on experience with relay configuration, hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing, power electronics, and a strong background in protection and stability analysis.

Qualifications

• PhD in electrical engineering or closely related field, within 3 years post‑grad.
• Deep knowledge of power system protection and relay types.
• Experience with hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing and relay configuration.

Responsibilities

• Develop protective relay models based on vendor datasheets and manuals.
• Perform fault studies to evaluate protections and validate with relay models and hardware tests.
• Study IBR-driven stability from device to system level and propose control strategies.
• Build EMT models in PSCAD and automate simulations for metrics.
• Lead or contribute to journal articles and conference papers.

Skills

Power system protection

Relay testing

Python programming

Power electronics

Control theory

Stability analysis

Inverter-based resources modeling

Commissioning/bench testing

Education

PhD in electrical engineering or power systems

Tools

PSCAD

PSSE

PSLF

Matlab/Simulink

RSCAD

Synchrowave

Job description

National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, CO seeks a PhD‑level expert to advance transient stability studies in inverter‑based resource grids. You will develop protective relay models, perform fault and stability studies, and contribute to publications.

This role requires hands‑on experience with relay configuration, hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing, power electronics, and a strong background in protection and stability analysis.