Postdoctoral Researcher: EMT Modeling and Stability Analysis for IBRs and Large-scale Power Systems

• Posting Title

• Postdoctoral Researcher:

  EMT Modeling and Stability Analysis for IBRs and Large-scale Power Systems .
• Location
• CO•Golden .

• Position Type
• Postdoc (Fixed Term) .
• Hours Per Week
• 40 .
• Working at NLR
• NLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development.

Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR 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 NLR, 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.

• Job Description
• Grid Automation and Control (GAC) Group of the Power Systems and Engineering Center (PSEC) at the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is looking for an exceptional Ph.

D. graduate to support research in the modeling and simulation of the modern power grids, while the power grid is transitioning to a grid with increasing growth of load and inverter-based resources (IBRs). The successful candidate will be working on cutting-edge projects in power system modeling, simulation, and stability analysis. The successful candidate is expected to bring in solid large-scale bulk power system modeling and simulation expertise to address the stability, reliability challenges of the future grid.

Job duties and responsibilities include:

+ Develop high-fidelity EMT models for various inverter-based resources(such as advanced pumped storage hydro, data center, grid-forming/grid-following inverters, etc.) for large-scale power grids study. + Design ride-through controls of IBRs and implement and validate models in EMT simulation environments such as PSCAD, RTDS, or ParaEMT. + Contribute to the development of advanced simulation tools, platforms, testbed development for large-scale EMT analysis. + Conduct large-scale transient analysis including (small-signal stability, transient stability, and voltage stability) for high IBR-dominated systems. + Support development of AI-assisted tools for grid stability monitoring, scenario generation, and digital twin applications. + Support large-scale power system studies (e.g., national-scale scenarios) using commercial tools (e.g., PSSE, PSLF, PSCAD) or open-source tools (e.g., ParaEMT, ANDES and others). + Support interconnection studies, grid impact assessments, and compliance studies. + Prepare the results in form of reports and presentations. + Write and publish results of analyses in peer-reviewed journals, transactions, conference proceedings, and/or technical reports. Successful candidates will join the GAC group in the Power System Engineering Center (PSEC) at NLR, a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative team of engineers, analysts, and software developers. GAC works to develop and apply state-of-the-art energy system modeling techniques, software, and simulations for breakthrough engineering and techno-economic analysis of the emerging future electric grid and broader interconnected energy system: transportation, buildings, gas, communication/controls, and beyond. PSEC supports the science and technology goals of the U.S. Department of Energy, and industry partners toward a sustainable energy future. We work with the electricity industry and broader research community to conduct high-impact research and development that provides practical solutions to grid design and integration challenges that enable sustainable energy systems. PSEC uniquely combines the most advanced research techniques with real-world experience for achieving sustainable electricity grids. .

• Basic Qualifications
• Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.
• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
• Additional Required Qualifications
• + Relevant Ph.

D. or Ph.D. candidate in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science or related fields. + Solid background in power systems dynamics and modeling including load flow, short-circuit, and contingency analysis. + Proficiency with power system simulation tools in EMT environment (e.g.,PSCAD, RTDS, OPAL-RT, ParaEMT, etc. ) + Strong understanding of inverter-based resource(IBR) modeling and integration challenges, and power system stability concepts.

• Preferred Qualifications
• + Hands-on modeling experience with EMT simulation tools (e.

g., PSCAD, RSCAD, OPAL-RT or EMTP). + Strong understanding of small-signal, transient, and voltage stability. + Familiarity with EMT modeling of IBRs, such as data centers, advanced pumped-storage hydro, batteries, wind and solar, grid forming inverters, etc. + Experience in modeling and simulation of inverter-based resources (IBRs) and stability analysis of high-IBR-dominated power systems. + Hands-on experience with data center modeling is a plus. + Experience with software development in Python, C++, or other programming languages. + Hands-on experience developing

• automated tools
• for accelerating contingency analysis is a plus. + At least one paper on inverter stability/modeling + Strong analytical skills with the ability to process, interpret, and present technical results clearly. + Excellent written and verbal communication skills. + Interest in AI/ML applications for power system modeling and analysis. .
• Job Application Submission Window
• The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.
• Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)

•

Job Profile:

Postdoctoral Researcher /

Annual Salary Range:

$76,600

• $126,400 NLR 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.

• Benefits Summary
• Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short-term disability insurance
• ; pension benefits
• ; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match
• ; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; and paid holidays. NLR employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance
• merit
• and achievement
• based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement.
• Based on eligibility rules
• Badging Requirement
• NLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation.
• Drug Free Workplace
• NLR 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 NLR, 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.

• Submission Guidelines
• Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NLR 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. .
• Equal Opportunity Employer
• 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.

• Reasonable Accommodations (http://www.nrel.gov/careers/employment-policies.html)
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dhs.gov/E-Verify

• For information about right to work, click here (http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/crt/legacy/2013/08/13/FinalOSCPosterEN08\_01\_2013.pdf) for English or
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• E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.

S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce. The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is a leader in the U.S. Department of Energy's effort to secure an environmentally and economically sustainable energy future. With locations in Golden and Boulder, Colorado, and a satellite office in Washington, D.C., NLR is the primary laboratory for research, development, and deployment of renewable energy technologies in the United States. NLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All candidates must be authorized to access the facility per DOE rules and guidance within a reasonable time frame for the specified position in order to be considered for an interview and for hiring. DOE rules for site access during the interview process depend on whether the candidate is interviewed on-site, off-site, or via telephone or videoconference. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation. Additionally, DOE contractor employees are prohibited from participating in certain Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs (FGTRPs). If a candidate is currently participating in an FGTRP, they will be required to disclose their participation after receiving an offer of employment and may be required to disengage from participation in the FGTRP prior to commencing employment. Any offer of employment is conditional on the ability to obtain work authorization and to be granted access to NLR by the Department of Energy (DOE).

• Drug Free Workplace
• NLR is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with 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 NLR, 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 review the information on our Hiring Process (https://www.nrel.gov/careers/hiring-process.html) website before you create an account and apply for a job. We also hope you will learn more about NLR (https://www.nrel.gov/about/) , visit our Careers site (https://www.nrel.gov/careers/) , and continue to search for job opportunities (https://nrel.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/NREL) at the lab.