The National Renewable Energy Laboratory - NREL - is the only federal laboratory dedicated to the research, development, commercialization and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.
IMPORTANT:This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders. Other applicants need not apply.
Post Doctoral Researcher-Offshore Wind Energy Computer Modeler
3087BR
Boulder, CO
Postdoctoral Researcher
40
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, development and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. The National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) in Boulder, CO has on opening for a Post Doctoral position to support work in the area of dynamics modeling and numerical analysis of offshore wind turbines. The NWTC is a center within the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, dedicated to the technical development and large-scale deployment of wind power. The assignment is for one year with possible renewal for up to three years.
The work will support the Department of Energy Wind and Water Power Program through the modeling and dynamic analysis of land-based and offshore wind turbine systems. This position will work closely with NREL senior staff to modify and run NREL’s offshore dynamic simulation computer models to estimate the performance, loads, and dynamic behavior of innovative offshore energy systems. The candidate will compare computer simulations to field test data, to improve the accuracy and applicability of the physical modeling tools. The candidate will be expected to work closely with senior staff to develop creative solutions to complex engineering problems associated with the advancement of renewable energy, especially with offshore wind energy.
1. Develop and run computer models of land-based and offshore wind turbine concepts. 2. Modify NREL computer simulation tools to expand applicability for a range of possible systems. 3. Analyze field test data to characterize wind turbine system responses and to identify possible measurement anomalies. 4. Validate computer models using field and laboratory test data. 5. Work with test engineers to specify test data quality and obtain high quality validation data sets. 6. Verify modeling assumptions in NREL’s dynamic modeling software (FAST) through code-to-code comparison efforts. 7. Characterize and refine offshore wind technologies and interface with DOE/NREL industry partners to advance key technologies. 8. Work closely with NREL’s design codes, systems analysis, and ocean energy teams. 9. Document and present research results at professional conferences and in peer-reviewed journals.
Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.
PhD degree in mechanical engineering, or related discipline. • Demonstrated experience with mathematical modeling, numerical techniques, and computer programming in the Fortran and/or C++ language. • Working knowledge of technical disciplines important to offshore wind energy systems including fluid dynamics (rotor aerodynamics and wave-body hydrodynamics) and structural dynamics. • Good leadership skills with independent work habits • Excellent interpersonal and communication (oral and written) skills.
• Experience with FAST, NREL’s dynamic simulation modeling software used for offshore wind turbine simulation analysis. • Relevant engineering and/or R&D experience. • Experience in wind energy engineering, moorings, control systems, electrical power systems, machine design, naval architechture, and energy conversion.
NREL is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity. NREL promotes a work environment that does not discriminate against workers or job applicants and prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, marital status, ancestry, actual or perceived sexual orientation, or veteran status, including special disabled veterans.
NREL validates right to work using E-Verify. NREL will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. For additional information, please seewww.nrel.gov/employment/eeo.html.
