Staff Scientist (Energy Storage & Distributed Resources)
Berkeley Lab (LBNL) addresses the world’s most urgent scientific challenges by advancing sustainable energy, protecting human health, creating new materials, and revealing the origin and fate of the universe. Founded in 1931, Berkeley Lab’s scientific expertise has been recognized with 13 Nobel prizes. The University of California manages Berkeley Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.
Position Summary:
Berkeley Lab’s Energy Storage & Distributed Resources Division has an opening for a Staff Scientist (Grid Integration Group). You will be a key member of the leadership of the Grid Integration Group, and will report to the Group Leader. The purpose of the Staff Scientist position is to advance knowledge about the technology, design, operation and controls, economics, laboratory-tests and field-demonstration experiments for integration of distributed electricity sources (e.g., Solar PV, wind), storage devices (e.g., batteries), and control of distributed loads on electrical distribution grids and microgrids.
The Staff Scientist is expected to play a key role in achieving the goals of the Grid Integration Group by contributing to achieve the following objectives:
- Advance the knowledge of distribution power systems characteristics through well-conceived and well-conducted experiments.
- Develop, test, and demonstrate new designs of electrical power systems sensing and control architectures.
- Conceive, design, and demonstrate (in the lab, and later in the field) robust, accurate, and scalable technologies for field measurements of distribution grid and microgrid power systems performance metrics.
- Conceptualize, develop and write successful proposals for advancing the global knowledge and understanding of various aspects of distribution power systems, consistent with cutting edge science and technology, consistent with economics and relevant aspects of social sciences.
As a Staff Scientist you will be expected to have an excellent ability to think innovatively and independently. To explore, accomplish, test and demonstrate advances in (and the connections between) various aspects of distribution power systems planning, measures of performance metrics, and operation. while also being mindful of real-world preferences and constraints of relevant institutions and customers.
The Staff Scientist is expected to develop expertise in three, and achieve national and international recognition in at least two of the areas of engineering science related to distribution grids and microgrids:
- Predictive simulations of system performance under various control designs for stochastic external and internal conditions.
- Real time analysis of grid-sensor data for fault diagnostics and fault-tolerant controls operations.
- Hardware design, development, and testing, of components and systems performance under a variety of realistic conditions.
- Economic and reliability assessments of alternative configurations of distribution grids under various externalities.
- Microgrid control optimizations and architectures of scalable systems.
What You Will Do:
- Lead and assist in the diverse tasks related to conceptualizing, designing, building, developing, and testing relevant analytical tools, sensors and conducting field measurements.
- Contribute to the dissemination of the Group’s scientific and engineering advances through publications in peer-reviewed archival journals and other relevant technical media, presentations at conferences and via webinars, and through development and participation in training programs.
- Create, design and execute experiments or simulations aimed at elucidating the nature of the problems specific to distribution power systems under a variety of externalities and internal component configurations and control approaches.
- Perform and oversee the detailed analysis of data from these tests or simulations and their dissemination and publication.
- Troubleshoot all stages of experimental process, including installation of new equipment, their calibration, verification, and automated data collection. As needed, organize the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for various aspects of the Grid Integration Group’s hardware lab operation, maintenance, periodic recalibration, and upgrades.
- Learn and keep-up with advances in technology, theory, and software relevant design and operation of distribution grids.
- Interface with collaborators, research and technical staff, leadership, and administrative staff of the Energy Technologies Area, and funding sponsors.
- Identify new funding opportunities aligned with the strategic interests of the Grid Integration Group, and prepare proposals in response.
- Lead, mentor, and train postdoctoral fellows, technical staff, graduate students and other group members as necessary.
- Attend group meetings, and present status reports and scientific findings at group meetings, conferences, and workshops.
- Keep accurate and detailed record of laboratory and analytical work.
Additional Responsibilities as needed:
- Work in a safe manner and contribute to a safe and healthy work environment by being aware of potential hazards, taking action to correct deficiencies, and making others aware of health and safety requirements and issues. Supervisors have a particular accountability to model and assure that this expectation is met by all employees within their scope of supervision.
- Perform all duties in compliance with applicable Environment, Health and Safety rules and regulations as described in LBNL Pub-3000 and other related documents.
- Participate in various formal ES&H training activities as required by specific duties and responsibilities.
- Perform work with knowledge and understanding of shop and laboratory safety practices and policies including organization, housekeeping, hazardous material and waste handling, storage and disposal, Activity Hazard Documents (AHDs), Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), confined space entry, Occurrence Reporting, Quality Assurance/Conduct of Operations and applicable Function, Project and Facility Notebooks.
What is Required:
- Ph.D. and/or equivalent experience in Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, or an engineering science relevant to distribution grids and microgrids, or equivalent demonstrated research experience and expertise.
- Minimum of 5 years of professional or academic experience in the utility ecosystem.
- Detailed knowledge of the utility systems and the state of art in management, controls, and distributed energy resource management.
- Experience in experimental measurements, data analysis, and simulations of distribution grids.
- Predictive simulations of system performance under various control designs for stochastic external and internal conditions.
- Real time analysis of grid-sensor data for fault diagnostics and fault-tolerant controls operations.
- Hardware design, development, and testing, of components and systems performance under a variety of realistic conditions.
- Economic and reliability assessments of alternative configurations of distribution grids under various externalities.
- Microgrid control optimizations and architectures of scalable systems.
- Demonstrate the ability to conduct and perform collaborative research and effectively interact with a broad range of colleagues with tact and diplomacy.
- Demonstrate the ability to independently carry out creative research with a proven record of publications and achievement.
- Effective problem solving and decision making skills, with the ability to troubleshoot experimental processes and/or simulations, and provide analysis and offer solutions.
- Excellent organizational, analytical, and record-keeping skills.
- Proficiency prepare and present clear technical reports to collaborators, Division and Area staff, leadership, and research sponsors.
- Demonstrated ability to accurately and eloquently represent and promote scientific projects to audiences of diverse technical backgrounds.
- Highly effective interpersonal skills, with experience in establishing effective collaborations and interacting with members of the scientific, instrumentation, fieldwork and electrical power-related institutional agencies, and funding research-sponsor communities.
- Outstanding written communication skills with demonstrated experience preparing funding proposals.
- Outstanding leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills. Excellent ability to gain respect and trust of close peers and co-workers. Demonstrated ability to craft and write successful proposals against stiff competition. The ability to make excellent and persuasive presentations, and tactful and nuanced communication skills, both written and oral, with various stakeholders including potential or existing funders.
Additional Desired Requirements:
- Prior experience with distribution-grids or microgrids, under controlled experimental conditions, with simulations, or with field research is preferred.
- Microgrid control optimizations and architectures of scalable systems.
- Experience with building and commissioning, and using scientific instrumentation related to distribution grids and microgrids is preferred.
The posting shall remain open until the position is filled.
Notes:
- This is a full time 1 year, career-track term appointment that may be renewed to a maximum of five years and that may be converted to career based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds, and ongoing operational needs.
- Full-time, M-F, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
- Salary is commensurate with experience.
- This position is contingent on the successful completion of a background check.
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA.
Equal Employment Opportunity: Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. Berkeley Lab is in compliance with the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision under 41 CFR 60-1.4. Click here to view the poster and supplement: "Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law."