Postdoctoral Appointee – Electric Power Systems R&D, Onsite

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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
• Data center integration
• 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.

• 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
  

• 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
  

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.