Job Description

About Sandia:

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co-workers
• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacations, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov*These benefits vary by job classification.

What Your Job Will Be Like:

The Renewable and Distributed Systems Integration Department has a postdoctoral research opening in the area of Distributed Systems Integration at our Albuquerque, New Mexico facility. Examples of our research include power system dynamics, operational reliability, micro-grids, advanced renewables integration, smart grid technologies and related information analysis. This department is highly inter-disciplinary, working in partnership with universities, utilities, government agencies, and both national and international research organizations.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Conduct research on renewable and distributed energy systems and their integration with electrical power systems and end uses, including transportation and building electrification.
• Perform research that includes developing electrical models, performing simulations for a variety of scenarios, to investigate the impact of distributed generation hardware and controls on electrical distribution system performance.
• Perform analysis on resilience of electrical systems and how they support critical infrastructure, for example water distribution and treatment facilities, emergency services and hospitals.

You will be encouraged to do research, collaborate with partners and generate publications (e.g. technical reports, conference publications, and journal publications). We fully expect that the successful candidate will not have the entire range of desired experience, and we will help them grow and acquire new expertise while working at Sandia. Some travel will be required.

The selected applicant can work a combination of onsite and offsite work. The selected applicant must live within a reasonable distance for commuting to the assigned work location when necessary. This position is located in Albuquerque, NM, and the annual salary for this position is $98,500.

Qualifications We Require:

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, or other relevant, closely related field
• Programming experience in Python, MATLAB, C, C++, or Java
• Experience in distribution modeling and simulation in OpenDSS, GridLAB-D, SynerGEE, CYME, Opal-RT, or similar software / platforms
• Publication record (e.g., in peer-reviewed journals)

Qualifications We Desire:

• PhD research emphasis in Power Systems
• Laboratory experience in power engineering
• Experience in using geographic information systems (GIS)
• Modeling and simulation experience in power systems
• Self-motivated with the ability to work autonomously with minimal supervision
• Understanding of and experience with Machine Learning theory and applications
• Proven ability to prioritize and implement work; ability to deliver on multiple tasks and projects as needed to support the team
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and demonstrated ability to explain complex ideas clearly and concisely
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well on a multi-disciplinary team
• Research publication record and/or professional experience in one or more of the following technical areas: analysis of PV/DER system impacts and performance in distribution systems; distributed control and optimization; development of distribution system models and simulation tools

About Our Team:

Sandia's Renewable and Distributed Systems Integration (RDSI) department conducts research, development and demonstrations of new components and systems that will enable rapid transition to a grid based on clean and distributed energy resources. The department partners extensively with the U.S. industry and other research institutions to pursue high-value solutions that enhance performance, safety, reliability and resilience of energy systems. We establish the technical foundation for advanced models, analysis methods, controls, standards, cyber-security solutions and power electronics concepts applicable to microgrids and interconnected systems. Much of this work is conducted at Sandia's Distributed Energy Technologies Laboratory (DETL), a world-recognized systems integration research facility for over 40 years. This work is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. A growing portion of our customer base includes other Sandia departments, including LDRD; members of the U.S. industry; and other U.S. government agencies.

Posting Duration:

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the ‘posting date’. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Security Clearance:

This position does not currently require a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance.

Sandia will conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Furthermore, employees in New Mexico need to pass a U.S. Air Force background screen for access to Kirtland Air Force Base. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause access to be denied or terminated, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

If hired without a clearance and it subsequently becomes necessary to obtain and maintain one for the position, or you bid on positions that require a clearance, a pre-processing background review may be conducted prior to a required federal background investigation. Applicants for a DOE security clearance need to be U.S. citizens. 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.

Members of the workforce (MOWs) hired at Sandia who require uncleared access for greater than 179 days during their employment, are required to go through the Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) process. Access includes physical and/or cyber (logical) access, as well as remote access to any NNSA information technology (IT) systems. UPIV requirements are not applicable to individuals who require a DOE personnel security clearance for the performance of their SNL employment or to foreign nationals. The UPIV process will include the completion of a USAccess Enrollment, SF-85 (Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions) and OF-306 (Declaration of for Federal Employment). An unfavorable UPIV determination will result in immediate retrieval of the SNL issued badge, removal of cyber (logical) access and/or removal from SNL subcontract. All MOWs may appeal the unfavorable UPIV determination to DOE/NNSA immediately. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the MOW may try to go through the UPIV process one year after the decision date.

EEO:

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.

NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs:

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.

Position Information:

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.

Job ID: 694281

Job Family: 92

Regular/Temporary Position: T

Full/Part-Time Status: F

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.