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Join NREL, where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NREL stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth.
At NREL, you’ll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being.
NREL is seeking an enthusiastic and driven power distribution system researcher within the Strategic Energy Analysis and Decision Sciences (SEADS) directorate. The SEADS directorate contributes to an exciting portfolio of energy analysis, grid futures studies, applying advanced modeling and simulation tools to optimally plan, design, and analyze distribution and bulk power systems.
You would join us in researching, supporting and advancing electric distribution systems research, using power-flow modeling, optimization, machine-learning, neural networks, capacity modeling, forecasting techniques, statistical analysis, and data analysis among other research techniques. You would join a highly collaborative team of distribution researchers who are focused on delivering a reliable, affordable, and resilient grid of the future. This team works with distribution utilities, regulators, and government entities across the U.S. and internationally, and works across multiple Department of Energy offices. The team focuses on major challenges including capacity expansion of the distribution system to enable load growth from buildings and vehicles, large loads, and integration of distributed energy resources.
Examples of ongoing research and analysis include:
• Integrated distribution planning
• Advanced hosting capacity analyses
• Grid interconnection planning
• Capacity expansion of distribution systems
• Building electrification and flexibility
• DER grid services and markets
• Grid resilience analysis for distribution planning
Our work informs technology developers, policymakers, and utilities by developing and analyzing future grid scenarios that answer critical questions about how the electric grid is transforming. This position seeks an enthusiastic and driven candidate who can advance and grow distribution systems research at NREL.
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* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
• Advanced modeling and analyses of distribution systems
• Experience with power-flow modeling (e.g., OpenDSS, Synergi, CYME, WindMil, etc.)
• Experience with scientific programming languages (e.g., Python, Julia, R, etc.)
• Experience working with large grid and/or distributed generation datasets and constructing databases
• Experience working with code development and collaborative coding efforts involving version control
• Developing innovative research topics that expand the research space
• Contribute to the projects and teams that contribute to the advancement of science leading to innovating power grid operations and planning
• Collaborating with research experts from wide group of skillsets
• Communicates an inspiring vision of the future across the organization
• Empathizes and actively listening in client-relationships
• Writing and publishing results of analyses in peer-reviewed journals and/or technical reports
• Experience communicating energy modelling results to a wide range of audiences including policymakers and other decision makers.
• Exceptional written and oral communication and interpersonal skills
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The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.
NREL takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.
* Based on eligibility rules
NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.
If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.
Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.
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All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.
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