Overview
The Electricity Infrastructure and Buildings Division is one of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's most innovative teams. We are talented, award-winning administrators, specialists, technicians, managers, scientists and engineers, and we're working at the forefront of some of America's toughest energy challenges. Our mission is to provide multi-disciplinary solutions to energy challenges that have impacts on a national-scale. We employ a systems perspective that addresses technological, economic, regulatory, and market barriers to improve the nation's energy systems from generation to end-use. We provide transparent, reproducible, and unbiased results to guide policy and technological innovation.
Responsibilities
The Electricity Infrastructure and Buildings Division of PNNL is accelerating the transition to a resilient, affordable and secure energy system through basic and applied research. We leverage a strong technical foundation in power and energy systems and in advanced data analytics to drive innovation and transform markets.
The Optimization and Control Group within the EIBD is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to contribute to innovative research in energy storage analytics and grid observability. This position will focus on applying optimization and control algorithms, modeling, machine learning, and dynamic state estimation to address challenges related to energy storage in grid applications. Specific areas of interest include hybrid and long-duration energy storage systems, as well as distribution system observability for enhanced grid monitoring and situational awareness.
The Postdoctoral RA will contribute to cutting-edge research in advanced data analytics and control for energy storage, grid observability, and demand-side resources. The primary focus will be the development and validation of advanced modeling and learning-based control algorithms to maximize the economic and resilience benefits of energy storage and demand-side resources within the power grid. This work will require deep technical expertise in control, optimization, and machine learning, and rich experience in energy storage analytics, building modeling, and distribution simulation tools. The candidate will collaborate effectively with multi-disciplinary research and development teams, including researchers within and outside PNNL. The candidate is expected to implement and test algorithms on Python, and/or MATLAB, Julia, and help summarize the technical findings in presentations and/or peer-reviewed publications.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Candidates must have received a PhD within the past five years (60 months) or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university.
Preferred Qualifications:
PhD student in Optimization and Control, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
Strong theoretical foundation in optimization and control.
Expertise in optimization modeling languages and various linear/nonlinear solvers.
Expertise in machine learning for power system applications.
Understanding of electricity transmission and/or distribution simulation tools.
Understanding of energy system processes, components and their workings, (e.g., generation, transmission, distribution, and consumption).
Research experience in energy storage and distributed energy resources, thermal energy storage for buildings, and microgrid.
Expertise in MATLAB, Python, and Julia.
Experience with co-simulation and HELICS.
Strong analytical, task management, and communications skills, both oral and written, and able to communicate clearly the goals, parameters, objectives, and outcomes of their research.
Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment
Not Applicable.
Additional Information
Not Applicable.
Testing Designated Position
Not a Testing Designated Position.
About PNNL
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!
At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or 3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.
Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment Opportunity
Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers@pnnl.gov .
Drug Free Workplace
PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.
If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.
Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements
In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
For foreign national candidates:
If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO)risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.
Mandatory Requirements
Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.
Rockstar Rewards
Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company funded pension plan and may enroll in our 401k savings plan. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.
- Research Associates excluded.
**Once eligibility requirements are met.
Click Here For Rockstar Rewards (https://careers.pnnl.gov/rockstar-rewards)
Notice to Applicants
PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual’s relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.
As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.
Minimum Salary
USD $69,000.00/Yr.
Maximum Salary
USD $119,100.00/Yr.