Postdoctoral Researcher- Transportation Systems Analysis
Job Description
The transportation sector, currently the largest source of GHG emissions, is on the verge of an unprecedented period of transition. Electric vehicles, on-demand mobility, e-commerce, and automation have all increased dramatically in recent years and trends suggest no sign of slowing. These new technologies have proven disruptive and created opportunities to re-imagine a transportation/energy system that is more convenient, efficient, and equitable than what Americans experienced historically.
Do you have a strong analytical background and a passion for improving energy and transportation systems? NREL’s Transportation Energy Transition Analysis (TETA) group in the Center for Integrated Mobility Sciences (CIMS) is seeking a passionate Postdoctoral Researcher to contribute to multiple projects around clean energy transitions for the transportation sector, including: 1) improving and using transportation system models to estimate energy use, emissions, clean infrastructure requirements (e.g., EV charging), and related topics 2) contribute to perform quantitative analysis and document results to provide insightful results and document them in scientific publication and stakeholder briefings.
The TETA group focuses on modeling and analysis that improve our understanding of long-term transformations of transportation and mobility system (e.g., transition towards clean energy and sustainable solutions) and their integration with the broader energy system. Analysis from this team supports understanding and improving the viability of clean energy solutions in the transportation and mobility space and the infrastructure that supports it. TETA heavily collaborates with other NREL groups and centers as well as other National Labs and external partners to explore the nexus between transportation and other parts of the energy system (e.g., electrical grid) and economy (e.g., jobs, environment, infrastructure, etc.).
In this exciting role, you will contribute to projects leveraging tools like TEMPO and EVI-Pro largely used to support multiple clients (e.g., DOE, EPA, CEC) and inform key National and local stakeholders. We are seeking passionate candidates with some understanding of transportation and/or energy systems and with interest in improving their expertise on the transportation-clean energy nexus.
Specific tasks may include:
- Work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team to explore clean energy transition pathways for transportation systems and related infrastructure by performing quantitative analysis (i.e., run NREL models and tools)
- Develop and process datasets to inform modeling
- Interpret and visualize results in an intuitive manner
- Regularly document progress in technical presentations given to internal staff and help prepare briefings for clients
- Under direction of senior staff, work to maintain and/or to implement new features in existing software using programming languages including Julia, Python, and R.
- Refactor existing codebases to improve usability, performance, and efficiency
- Contribute to publishing results in scientific journals and conference proceedings
Additional Required Qualifications
The chosen candidate must have the following:
- Some experience using software tools and performing analysis
- Strong software engineering skills, as demonstrated by a substantial public code portfolio, or through contributing to a substantial codebase used to deliver a public-facing service
- Experience with open source, collaborative software development and use of tools such as GitHub or GitLab for project management and version control
- Strong collaboration skills—thrives working in a collaborative team environment but is comfortable working independently when necessary
- Demonstrated experience in data-driven analysis and modeling of transportation and/or energy systems, including demonstrated ability to interpret and visualize complex quantitative results and synthesize them effectively in papers or slide presentations
- Attention to detail and ability to effectively manage time work in a fast-paced environment
- Exceptional written and communication skills, including producing effective figures and visuals
- Strong client engagement
- Proven ability to self-manage their time and be proactive in problem solving