Post-Doctoral Researcher - Industrial and Fuel Supply Optimization Modeling/Analysis

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Mar 28

Applications are closed

Job
Full-time
Entry Level
Research & Development
$71.3K - $117.6K
Golden
Remote

Requirements

Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
Additional Required Qualifications:
Demonstrated experience in code-based data management and analysis using leading coding environments: e.g., Python,
Working knowledge of decarbonization literature,
Exceptional teaming and organizational skills,
Exceptional writing skills and a demonstrated record of publication in the technical/peer-reviewed literature.
Preferred Qualifications:
Working knowledge of all subsectors of the US energy system and associated markets, policies, and regulations,
Demonstrated experience presenting research findings to broad—technical and non-technical—audiences,
PhD in economics (with a focus on energy/environment), policy, engineering or other related field; however, we encourage applicants with training in any field to apply if they have interest and experience in the energy sector and experience with quantitative methods, especially optimization,
Experience developing and applying optimization models (ideally in energy system applications) and experience with leading modeling coding environments, e.g., GAMS, MPSGE, Julia;
Experience in public policy—either direct experience or in analysis of policy design or impacts,
Prior work experience in the energy industry, at state- or federal agencies, or research institutions focused on energy.

Responsibilities

Working with senior researchers, the successful candidate will develop and apply the Fuels and Industry Integrated Optimization (FINITO) model—a new model simulating the evolution of the US industrial and fuel supply sectors—to a range of research topics, including:
evaluation of the implications of alternative policy designs for industrial decarbonization,
evaluation of research and development (R&D) driven improvements to the cost and performance of clean energy technologies,
evaluation of how industrial decarbonization would interact with other energy sectors (e.g., electricity),
explore impacts of a clean manufacturing transition on US manufacturing competitiveness.
In particular, the researcher will contribute to aspects of all components of research—from project conceptualization and proposal development, to methods development and implementation, and finally to analysis and communications. Communication products will include presentations to deliver at workshops/conferences, technical articles for submission to peer-reviewed journals, as well as shorter written products for policy audiences.
The ideal candidate will have a high level of enthusiasm to expand one’s knowledge of the energy system, learn new skills, and apply such knowledge and skills to help identify how the US can transition to a sustainable energy system, what the implications are for society, and how policy can be designed to help shape those outcomes. We welcome applicants with PhDs from any field, but a strong applicant must have experience developing and applying optimization models and experience in analysis of the energy system.
Conducting objective research that generates independent, high quality, and reproducible results,
Research, acquisition, and analysis of large data sets,
Development of new data architectures to flexibly describe infrastructure systems,
Development and implementation of new advanced methods for modeling of energy system evolution,
Executing scenarios and visualizing, analyzing, and interpreting results for reporting,
Assisting senior researchers in the design, implementation, and reporting of the research project,
Leading or contributing to technical reports, journal articles, and presentations,
Communicating effectively and succinctly both in written products and in speaking roles.

FAQs

What is the main focus of the research for this position as a Post-Doctoral Researcher in Industrial and Fuel Supply Optimization Modeling/Analysis?

The main focus of the research for this position is to develop and apply energy and economic models to evaluate and inform the evolution of the energy system, with a specific emphasis on cross-sectoral decarbonization of the US economy.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Science & Healthcare

Industry

1001-5000

Employees

1977

Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a Department of Energy national lab, is #TransformingEnergy as the nation's primary laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. NREL's Mission: NREL develops renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and practices, advances related science and engineering, and transfers knowledge and innovations to address the nation's energy and environmental goals. NREL's Strategy: NREL has forged a focused strategic direction to increase its impact on the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) and our nation's energy goals by accelerating the research path from scientific innovations to market-viable alternative energy solutions.