Graduate; Summer Internship - Observability & State Estimation -Scale Distribution Grids

Position: Graduate (Summer) Internship - Dynamic Observability & State Estimation for Large-Scale Distribution Grids
Posting Title

Graduate (Summer) Internship - Dynamic Observability & State Estimation for Large-Scale Distribution Grids

.

Location

CO - Golden

.

Position Type

Intern (Fixed Term)

.

Hours Per Week

40

.

Working at NLR

NLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development.

Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions.

Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth.

At NLR, you'll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being.

Job Description

The Power Systems Engineering Center (PSEC) at The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) focuses on advancing research in dynamic analysis of large-scale distribution grids, with particular emphasis on dynamic observability, cont rollability, and state estimation. We develop next-generation analytical frameworks and software tools to enhance situational awareness, adaptive control, and resilient operation of modern distribution systems with high penetration of distributed energy resources (DERs).

The Grid Automation and Control (GAC) group is seeking a graduate-level intern with a strong background in dynamic state estimation and distribution system modeling. The ideal candidate should have solid knowledge of dynamic system modeling, observability and cont rollability theory, and estimation techniques applied to active distribution networks.

This will be a 3-month opportunity and possible extension based on performance.

The preferred candidate will contribute to:

* Developing and validating dynamic observability and cont rollability metrics for large-scale, unbalanced distribution networks.

* Designing and implementing advanced dynamic state estimation algorithms (EKF, UKF, MHE, WLS-based methods) for measurement-constrained distribution systems.

* Modeling and integrating inverter-based resources, flexible loads, and grid control devices to evaluate dynamic performance and stability.

* Quantifying and improving estimation accuracy and grid cont rollability under sensor limitations, uncertainty, communication delays, and cyber-physical disturbances.

.

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

* Experience with power system OpenDSS, EMT software tools such as PSCAD, MATLAB/Simulink.

* Solid knowledge on power system dynamic modeling, power system stability and control.

* Demonstrated experience in optimization modeling, including proficiency with a programming language such as Python.

* Ability to present technical results to multi-stakeholder audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

.

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: $44,500 - $71,200

NLR 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…