Posting TitleSenior Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Power Systems Researcher

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LocationCO - Golden

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Position TypeRegular

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Hours Per Week40

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Working at NRELThe National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for research and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

Join a team of world-class scientists, engineers, and visionaries dedicated to shaping the world’s energy future through cutting-edge research and innovation. From our vision to our NREL community, we are unique in the research community. We are focused on impact. From our work in basic sciences to systems engineering, analysis, demonstration, and deployment, we are focused on solving market-relevant problems that result in advanced, secure, reliable, and affordable energy systems. We are trusted clean energy leaders, developing cost-saving solutions that make U.S. industries more competitive, and support job creation and economic growth across rural and urban communities.

At NREL, we offer a unique, mission-driven work environment with cutting-edge facilities and multidisciplinary research teams. NREL's environment offers strong partnerships with industry, academia, and other national laboratories, as well as professional development opportunities and a competitive benefits package for employees.

Learn about NREL’s critical objectives: NREL's Mission and Vision.

Job Description

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is seeking an enthusiastic and driven artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) researcher with domain expertise in power systems 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 and control, design, and analyze distribution and bulk power systems. 

Researcher IV
We are seeking a dynamic Researcher IV with proven leadership experience to guide the development and enhancement of key laboratory-wide research capabilities. The ideal candidate will have a track record of identifying, promoting, and advancing new research initiatives that directly support ongoing projects and programs. Additionally, you will bring expertise in shaping strategies and ensuring alignment of new programs with organizational priorities and mission objectives.

Researcher V
We are looking for an accomplished Researcher V with extensive experience addressing complex national and international challenges. You will have a demonstrated ability to influence and shape the national agenda on critical issues, while leading the development of innovative strategic initiatives and expanding research capabilities.

At either level, this role will require vision and leadership to drive the laboratory’s long-term impact and position it at the forefront of scientific advancements.

You would join us in researching, supporting and advancing electric power systems research, bringing expertise in AI, ML, supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning. This will include being able to contribute AI algorithms and enhancements to ongoing research on power-flow modeling, optimization, machine-learning, capacity modeling, forecasting techniques, statistical analysis, and data analysis among other research areas. You would join a highly collaborative team of grid planning researchers who are focused on delivering a reliable, sustainable, affordable, and resilient grid of the future. This team works with electric utilities, regulators, and government entities across the U.S. and internationally, and works with multiple Department of Energy offices. The team focuses on major challenges facing the planning and operation of the power system, including resiliency, extreme event, planning and operation of high renewable and inverter-based grids, affordability, and expansion to accommodate rapid load growth. Examples of ongoing research and analysis include: 

LA100 and PR100 for holistic power system analysis under high renewable energy scenarios, considering electrification and distribution energy resource integration 

National transmission planning study 

PRECISE – a tool advancing and automating holistic utility DER interconnection study practices  

Nationwide distribution transformer demand forecasts 

Power system analysis for the North American Electric Resilience Model (NAERM) 

Integrated distribution planning and NREL’s distribution planning suite 

Our work informs utilities, DER developers, regulators, technology developers, policymakers, and the federal government by developing and analyzing future grid scenarios that answer critical questions about how the electric grid is transforming. This position seeks an experienced and recognized AI and ML expert with power system domain expertise, preferably with experience working with Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Electricity and EERE offices or with industry, who can strategize and find AI and ML opportunities to enhance NREL’s research. We expect the candidate to have domain expertise in one or more of the following: 

Unsupervised ML and supervised ML, including generative AI, and large-language models 

Deep learning neural networks for image processing, natural language processing, and time-series forecasting 

Classical ML techniques, including support vector machine, decision trees, logistic regression, etc. 

Evolutionary algorithms, including genetic algorithms, for optimization 

​Researcher IV- Works independently to develop technical direction to multiple teams for
laboratory-wide initiatives and/or new technology product line strategies.
Coordinates and monitors the work of others in complex, interdisciplinary
teams. Serves as a role model for effective and creative research leadership
within the laboratory. Frequently briefs senior-level laboratory and/or
governmental managers.

Researcher V-Provides technical direction to internal and external teams or organizations
for diverse and/or uniquely complex projects. Coordinates and monitors the
work of others in large and/or multi-institutional and interdisciplinary
teams. Serves as a role model for effective and creative technical leadership
at national and/or international levels. Consistently briefs senior-level
laboratory and/or governmental managers

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Basic QualificationsResearcher IV- Relevant PhD and 4 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Master's Degree and 7 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 9 or more years of experience . Applies extensive engineering technical expertise, and has full knowledge of other related disciplines. Considered a technical resource. Demonstrates leadership in several areas of team, task or project lead responsibilities. Demonstrated experience in management of projects. Excellent writing, interpersonal and communication skills

Researcher V- Relevant PhD and 9 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Master's Degree and 12 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 14 or more years of experience . Apply advanced engineering technical principles, theories and concepts. Contributes to the development of new principles and concepts. Considered a national subject matter expert. Demonstrates leadership in a number of areas including all team, task and/or project lead responsibilities (works independently). Demonstrated management of complex and/or impactful projects. Excellent writing, interpersonal and communication skills.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

Required for both levels:

Degree in computer science, information and data science, applied and computational mathematics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or related discipline 

Expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning 

Experience in at least one aspect of the energy transition, including renewable integration, distribution system analysis, distribution system planning, distributed energy resources, energy storage, building and vehicle electrification, flexible loads, or resilience analysis. 

Researcher IV-

Leadership Experience: Proven leadership experience in a research setting, with a focus on guiding laboratory-wide capabilities.

Program Alignment: Track record of identifying, promoting, and advancing new research initiatives that align with organizational priorities and mission objectives.

Strategic Influence: Ability to influence strategic direction and shape research strategies to meet project goals.

Collaboration and Communication: Exceptional written and oral communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to present complex research findings to a variety of stakeholders.

Collaboration: Demonstrated expertise in fostering collaboration across teams and departments to achieve research outcomes.

Researcher V-

National and International Impact: Extensive experience addressing complex national and international research challenges.

Strategic Leadership: Proven ability to influence and contribute to the national agenda on critical scientific issues.

Research Expansion: Leadership experience in developing and executing strategic initiatives that expand research capabilities.

Future-Oriented Vision: Strong background in identifying emerging research trends and positioning the laboratory for long-term impact.

Project and Team Leadership: Demonstrated success in leading large-scale research projects and teams, with a focus on innovation.

Communication: Exceptional written and oral communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to convey complex scientific concepts to a broad range of stakeholders, including policymakers and industry leaders.

Funding and Partnerships: Experience in securing funding and building partnerships to support research objectives.

Preferred Qualifications

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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: Researcher V / Annual Salary Range: $117,200 - $211,000

Job Profile: Researcher IV / Annual Salary Range: $97,800 - $176,000

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.

Benefits SummaryBenefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short*- and long-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; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement*. NREL 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. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.

* Based on eligibility rules

Badging RequirementNREL 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

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.

Submission Guidelines

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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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

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