• Job Description

  Req#: R11936

  Posting Title

  Graduate (Summer) Intern – Mathematical Optimization

  .

  Location

  CO - Golden

  .

  Position Type

  Intern (Fixed Term)

  .

  Hours Per Week

  40

  .

  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 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.

  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 AI, Learning and Intelligent Systems (ALIS) Group in the NREL Computational Science Center has an opening for a graduate student researcher in Mathematical Optimization for large-scale power systems planning. The researcher will aid in developing scalable optimization algorithms for bulk electricity systems planning to both mitigate and adapt to climate change. They will deploy developed optimization algorithms on DOE high-performance computing systems. The researcher will develop mathematically sound approaches for transmission and capacity expansion as applied to the bulk electricity system to enhance the economics, reliability, resilience, and security of real-time grid operations as power systems both decarbonize and adapt to climate change.

  We are looking for a dynamic, motivated researcher with a strong technical background and an interest in the mission of NREL. The successful candidate will collaborate with NREL staff and researchers to design and implement optimization-based methods for bulk electric system transmission and capacity expansion.

  Responsibilities include:

  • Assist in developing mathematically sound approaches for transmission and capacity expansion.
  • Collaborate with NREL researchers to assess tradeoffs between model fidelity and computational tractability.
  • Process and visualize results from simulation and optimization scenarios to inform design and operational decisions.
  • Author, present and assist in the preparation of technical papers, reports and conference proceedings on topics related to power systems planning.

  .

  Basic Qualifications

  Minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.
  
  Undergraduate: Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a bachelor’s degree program from an accredited institution.
  Post Undergraduate: Earned a bachelor’s degree within the past 12 months. Eligible for an internship period of up to one year.
  
  Graduate: Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a master’s degree program from an accredited institution.
  Post Graduate: Earned a master’s degree within the past 12 months. Eligible for an internship period of up to one year.
  Graduate + PhD: Completed master’s degree and enrolled as PhD student from an accredited institution.
  
  Please Note:
  • Applicants are responsible for uploading official or unofficial school transcripts, as part of the application process.
  • If selected for position, a letter of recommendation will be required as part of the hiring process.
  • Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

  * Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

  Additional Required Qualifications

  • Candidates should have demonstrated interest or experience in power systems planning and/or operations.
  • Candidates should have experience with algebraic modeling.
  • Candidates should have a strong foundation in coding, particularly with Python and/or Julia.

  Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with Pyomo and/or JuMP.
  • Experience with commercial and/or open-source optimization solvers (e.g., Gurobi, HiGHS, Ipopt).
  • Experience with developing custom math-programming algorithms tailored to specific problems.
  • Experience working with diverse, inclusive, and cross-disciplinary research teams.

  .

  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: / Annual Salary Range: $42,700 - $68,300

  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; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; and sick leave (where required by law). 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. Internships projected to be less than 20 hours per week are not eligible for medical, dental, or vision benefits.

  * 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.

  .

  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.

  EEO is the Law | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination | Reasonable Accommodations

  E-Verify www.dhs.gov/E-Verify For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish.

  E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce.

• About the company

  155855 The National Renewable Energy Laboratory, located in Golden, Colorado, specializes in renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development.

Notice