Postdoctoral Appointee - Electric Power Systems R&D, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; New Mexico; On-site; USD 90,000 - 111,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Flexible work arrangements

9/80/4/10 compressed workweeks

Generous vacation and benefits

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM is seeking a Postdoctoral Appointee with a strong background in electric power systems to contribute to modeling, protection, dynamics, and grid stability. The role involves collaborating on new research, and applying advanced analytics to energy infrastructure.

The position is onsite in Albuquerque with opportunities to publish results, present at conferences, and work with sponsors and external partners.

Qualifications

• PhD in Electrical Engineering or related field is required.
• Experience with electric power systems and research demonstrated by publications or conference presentations.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE L-level security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate technical knowledge with a focus on electric power systems and related research.
• Develop software and analytical solutions for ongoing projects.
• Collaborate with colleagues and external partners to address emerging power industry challenges.
• Publish research results in peer-reviewed journals and present at professional venues (IEEE, conferences).

Skills

Python

Programming skills

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

PhD in Electrical Engineering

Tools

PowerWorld

PSSE

PSLF

CYME

PSCAD

CAPE

ASPEN

OpenDSS

Job description

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Postdoctoral Appointee - Electric Power Systems R&D, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide

Extraordinary co-workers

Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world

Career advancement and enrichment opportunities

Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)

Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov

*These benefits vary by job classification.

What Your Job Will Be Like:

We are seeking a dedicated and motivated Postdoctoral Appointee with a strong background in power systems to join a multi-disciplinary and hard-working team. The selected candidate will focus on making technical contributions to ongoing and creative new research projects in areas such as:

Power system modeling

Power system protection

Power system dynamics

Electric grid stability

Power systems controls

Power system planning and operations

Expansion planning

Production cost modeling

Electric grid security

Grid reliability and resilience

Extreme weather resilience

Natural hazard impact modeling

Threat modeling

Wildfire, smoke, and lightning modeling

Co-simulation of critical infrastructures

Grid optimization and electricity markets

Grid applied artificial intelligence and machine learning

Data analytics applied to the electric grid

On any given day, you may be called on to:

Demonstrate technical knowledge with a focus on electric power systems.

Demonstrate creativity and ingenuity in providing software solutions and analytical solutions.

Work with colleagues and external collaborators to develop innovative solutions to emerging challenges facing the power industry.

Publish research outcomes in peer-reviewed journals, conferences, etc.

Present research findings to sponsors and externally to professional communities (e.g., IEEE, CIGRE, industry workshops).

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite. This position is located in Albuquerque, NM, and the annual salary for this position is $100,500.

Qualifications We Require:

PhD in Electrical Engineering or other relevant, related field

Experience with electric power systems

Proven record of technical accomplishment related to power systems research, as evidenced by relevant publication(s) in peer-reviewed journals and/or presentation(s) at scientific conferences.

Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE L-level security clearance

Qualifications We Desire:

Technical knowledge in power system simulation and analysis

Technical knowledge of and experience with power system simulation tools (e.g., PowerWorld, PSSE, PSLF, CYME, PSCAD, CAPE, ASPEN, OpenDSS)

Strong oral and written communication skills

Strong programming ability and analytical skills, including proficiency with Python

Experience with real-time digital simulators (such as Opal-RT or RTDS)

Experience processing and analyzing real power systems data

Experience writing proposals

Self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision and ability to work in a team environment

About Our Team:

The Electric Power Systems Research Department conducts R&D and advanced analytics to enable the modernization of the nation's electric power grid. This work includes the development of improved planning and operations methodologies from the bulk system down to end users. Our capabilities encompass the development and application of advanced algorithmic and computational methods, grid operations, economics, and policy. Examples of specific core areas include power system dynamics, operational reliability, electricity market development, smart grid technologies and related information analysis, optimal resource expansion, and computationally based decision support. This department is highly inter-disciplinary, working collaboratively with universities, utilities, government agencies, and both national and international research organizations.

Posting Duration:

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Security Clearance:

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE L-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by the DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

EEO:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs:

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.

Position Information:

This postdoctoral position is a temporary position for up to one year, which may be renewed at Sandia's discretion up to five additional years. The PhD must have been conferred within five years prior to employment.

Individuals in postdoctoral positions may bid on regular Sandia positions as internal candidates, and in some cases may be converted to regular career positions during their term if warranted by ongoing operational needs, continuing availability of funds, and satisfactory job performance.

• Affordable housing, reasonable cost of living
• Minimal traffic congestion compared to larger cities
• At Sandia, recruiters manually review resumes on each job posting instead of using a resume screening software program
• By following the best practices outlined, this ensures that recruiters can accurately determine your qualifications for the position