Senior Researcher – Solar PV Performance AI/ML Tools

Posting TitleSenior Researcher – Solar PV Performance AI/ML Tools

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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 NREL

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 ten 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.

We invite all interested candidates to apply for this opportunity. While we recognize that job seekers may hesitate if they don’t meet every requirement, we encourage dedicated individuals who meet all the basic and additional required qualifications of the role to submit an application. We value the opportunity to consider those who believe they have the necessary skills and ambition to succeed at NREL.

Job Description

An immediate opening for a full time (40 hours per week) Researcher IV/V is available in NREL's photovoltaic performance and reliability team to lead analyses of fleet-level photovoltaic (PV) system data, to develop new techniques including AI / ML and convex optimization to evaluate impacts of extreme weather on PV system and grid operation, and other PV loss factor identification.  The candidate will have responsibility for developing a research agenda, engage with funding sponsors and submit and lead proposals for funded work.

This position will involve working with and expanding open-source Python software tools (solar-data-tools, RdTools, PVAnalytics), along with custom analysis and reporting software (https://www.nrel.gov/pv/fleet-performance-data-initiative.html). Tasks include: innovative development of new analysis functionality (for example, production data filtering and quality assessment, along with cloud-based computing deployment); evaluating and tabulating the impacts of weather events on specific PV systems, including the neighboring distribution grid; leveraging advanced AI / ML / convex optimization techniques to new applications in the renewables space;

and disseminating the results via journal publication, online visualizations and partner reports. A successful candidate for this role will have excellent team-leadership experience, be familiar with the PV industry and DOE government funding agencies, and be able to independently develop open-source PV performance software.

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Basic QualificationsRelevant 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 scientific 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 technical writing, interpersonal and communication skills.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• *RESEARCHER 4-5 Education Requirements*  (Recruiter to fill in)
• Excellent technical writing, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Principal Investigator skills: team leadership, proposal technical writing, research agenda ideation
• Demonstrated strong skills in Python programming for open-source scientific computing
• Analytics and statistics on large time series data sets including AI / ML / Convex Optimization approaches
• Strong domain knowledge of PV modules and systems in real-world outdoor conditions, along with relevant distribution grid interactions, preferably in both research and commercial context
• Experience in the field of photovoltaic reliability, system O&M or design
• Ability to understand and interpret PV system time-series performance data
• Experience in photovoltaic system modeling, including PVLib, SAM, PVSyst, etc.

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 IV / Annual Salary Range: $95,500 - $171,900

Job Profile: Researcher V / Annual Salary Range: $114,500 - $206,100

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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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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