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

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Location
CO - Golden

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Position Type
Postdoc (Fixed Term)

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Hours Per Week
40

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Working at NREL
The 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.

From day one at NREL, you’ll connect with coworkers driven by the same mission to save the planet. By joining an organization that values a supportive, inclusive, and flexible work environment, you’ll have the opportunity to engage through our eight employee resource groups, numerous employee-driven clubs, and learning and professional development classes.

NREL supports inclusive, diverse, and unbiased hiring practices that promote creativity and innovation. By collaborating with organizations that focus on diverse talent pools, reaching out to underrepresented demographics, and providing an inclusive application and interview process, our Talent Acquisition team aims to hear all voices equally. We strive to attract a highly diverse workforce and create a culture where every employee feels welcomed and respected and they can be their authentic selves.

Our planet needs us! Learn about NREL’s critical objectives, and see how NREL is focused on saving the planet.

Note: Research suggests that potential job seekers may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who is interested in this opportunity to apply. We seek dedicated people who believe they have the skills and ambition to succeed at NREL to apply for this role.

Job Description

The Integrated Modeling and Economic Analysis Group develops and applies energy and economic models to evaluate and inform the evolution of the energy system and the associated implications for the economy, environment, and society. We are looking forward to welcoming a new researcher to our team to contribute to a growing body of research evaluating alternative pathways to cross-sectoral decarbonization of the US economy.

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.

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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

• 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.

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Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)
Job Profile: Postdoctoral Researcher / Annual Salary Range: $71,300 - $117,600

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 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. 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.

* Based on eligibility rules

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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EEO Policy

NREL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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.

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