Research Leader – Power System Climate Resilience and Adaptation

Job Title:Research Leader – Power System Climate Resilience and Adaptation

Location:Charlotte, NC, Dallas, TX, Palo Alto, CA, Remote/Home Based

Job Summary and Description:

Do you want to help shape the power industry’s collective approach to assessing and mitigating risk from extreme weather and climate change?

EPRI is seeking technical and strategic leaders in the field of climate risk and power system analysis to contribute to the Institute’s Climate READi (REsilience and ADaptation initiative) efforts (www.epri.com/READi) and growing portfolio of research in this area.

TO DATE, MULTIPLE CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN HIRED UNDER THIS REQUISITION; EPRI INTENDS TO KEEP THIS JOB POSTING ACTIVE INTO 2025, REVIEWING APPLICANTS ON A ROLLING BASIS.

As 1-in-50 or 1-in-100-year extreme events of the past increase in frequency, and society increasingly depends on electricity, energy companies, regulators, policymakers, and other industry stakeholders require science-based insights about the future power system and the environment in which it will operate to identify optimal adaptation and resilience investments. Climate READi was launched in 2022 to develop a standardized and consensus-based framework to facilitate analysis and application of appropriate climate data to enhance the planning, design, and operation of a resilient power system.

Candidates applying to this position would join 100+ EPRI subject matter experts from various areas of the Institute collaborating with 42 power companies from the United States, Canada, France, and the United Kingdom, and over 90 stakeholder organizations from around the world to first bring the Climate READi Framework development to completion in 2025, then roll out new research and assessment projects working with the broader Institute to continue Framework evolution and application in the years following.

The position will conduct interdisciplinary research that may include analytic or modeling work, and may also include slide decks, briefings, peer reviewed articles, and present research findings to a variety of audiences. The researcher will work collaboratively across disciplines and other research groups. We are seeking team members who are passionate and capable of creating, managing, and executing an array of projects while learning new things in an evolving space. We encourage and welcome diversity in opinions and backgrounds and seek candidates eager to make a difference.

Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate would have some combination of the following skills:

• An advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in engineering, economics, operations research, energy resources, computer science, earth sciences, climate or atmospheric sciences, or a related discipline;

• Experience supporting electric company physical climate risk assessments and climate trend analyses, long-range resource planning, integrated systems planning, operational modeling, and/or technology portfolio strategy; or performing significant analysis on similar topics;

• An interest in climate change impacts and resilience questions, and a strong interest in helping solve related energy systems challenges; 

• Specific skillsets of interest and analytical needs include: Wildfire modeling, Hydrologic modeling, Geospatial analysis, Cost/Benefit Analysis, Bulk Power System Analysis (e.g., Capacity Expansion, Production Cost, and/or Resource Adequacy Modeling), Distribution System Planning/Modeling, Transmission Planning/Modeling, Data Science and Visualization;

• Experience with commercial modeling and simulation tools in one or more of the above areas (e.g. PSS/E, GE PSLF, PLEXOS, GE MAPS, PROMOD, CYME/Synergi, OpenDSS/GridLabD, etc.);

• Experience with at least one high-level modeling system for mathematical programming, optimization, and economics, such as GAMS, AMPL, MATLAB, R, Python, JULIA, or similar educational experience;

• Experience accessing, manipulating, and incorporating large climate datasets (e.g., CMIP6 archive, ISI-MIP archive, LOCA2, etc.) into energy/electric models;

• Excellent research and writing skills; strong oral communications skills; ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner;

• Ability to form and maintain productive working relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, supporting coalitions of cross-EPRI experts to support project execution;

• A positive attitude, curious, and comfortable working both collaboratively and independently;

• Experience and interest in developing and contributing to cutting-edge research and communicating transfer of knowledge.

You will have autonomy in project work while collaborating with a broader team and have input over your hours and schedule in a flexible work environment. Some travel (10-25%) is expected to support conferences, meetings, and company visits.

Research has shown that candidates who don’t tick all the boxes often don’t apply.  This job posting supports multiple positions with different skillsets and we do not expect candidates to have every skill in the above list.  We welcome candidates who demonstrate initiative, a willingness to learn, and can work independently.  If you tick some of the boxes, consider applying regardless—we look forward to talking with you.

The salary range for this position is $114,000 USD to $162,750 USD annually.

This salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on various factors, including without limitation applicant's education, experience, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. The salary may also be adjusted based on applicant's geographic location.

This role is eligible to participate in EPRI’s annual incentive program. The amount of incentive varies and is subject to the terms and conditions of the plan.

This role is eligible to participate in EPRI’s standard employee benefit programs, which currently include the following: medical, dental, vision, 401k, STD/LTD and paid family leave, life and accident insurance, paid time off (flexible vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay).

EPRI participates in E-Verify, an online system operated jointly by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration (SSA). EPRI uses the system to check the work status of new hires by comparing information from the employee's I-9 form against SSA and Department of Homeland Security databases.

EPRI is an equal opportunity employer. EEO/AA/M/F/VETS/Disabled

Together . . . Shaping the Future of Energy.

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