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Join a team of world-class scientists, engineers, and visionaries dedicated to shaping the world’s energy future through cutting-edge research and innovation. From our vision to our NREL community, we are unique in the research community. We are focused on impact. From our work in basic sciences to systems engineering, analysis, demonstration, and deployment, we are focused on solving market-relevant problems that result in advanced, secure, reliable, and affordable energy systems. We are trusted clean energy leaders, developing cost-saving solutions that make U.S. industries more competitive, and support job creation and economic growth across rural and urban communities.
At NREL, we offer a unique, mission-driven work environment with cutting-edge facilities and multidisciplinary research teams. NREL's environment offers strong partnerships with industry, academia, and other national laboratories, as well as professional development opportunities and a competitive benefits package for employees.
Learn about NREL’s critical objectives: NREL's Mission and Vision.
NREL’s Electrochemical Energy Storage Group (EESG) works to accelerate the development of emerging battery energy storage technologies into new applications. The group is a recognized leader in diagnostics, characterization and modeling of batteries. Active research projects in the group include battery recycling process development, manufacturing, development/evaluation of novel chemistries (silicon, solid-state electrolytes, Li-sulfur, Na-ion), safety research on novel chemistries and solutions, extreme fast charge, and heavy-duty truck and mining electrification.
In support of the U.S. Dept. of Energy Office of Electricity’s Rapid Operational Validation Initiative, NREL and national lab partners are developing methods to accurately predict 15- to 20-year battery lifetime using less than 1 year of data. Techniques employ a combination of physics models, laboratory/field experiments, data science, and control/estimation algorithms. We are seeking a PhD student intern to help advance this research. The successful candidate will be exposed to NREL researchers developing battery software tools including:
The Battery Lifetime Analysis and Simulation Tool (BLAST), a Matlab/Python tool suite that assesses the performance and lifespan of battery cells and systems.
The AI-Batt tool, which uses machine learning and expert insight to identify accurate models for battery life prediction
Multi-physics models for battery computer-aided engineering, electrode microstructure diagnostics and design, and safety
Job duties will include but are not limited to:
Run computer simulations testing Kalman-Filter estimation algorithms to diagnose battery state of health (SOH) and prognose remaining useful lifetime (RUL).
Assess the accuracy of the algorithms against accelerated battery aging test data
Analyze new data from independent validation experiments, presently underway, quantifying degradation under complex, dynamic aging scenarios.
Evaluate the SOH/RUL estimation algorithm’s accuracy against the new data
Document results in written reports and support the team in writing a journal article.
Propose future work ideas to adapt the algorithms to other electrochemical energy-storage chemistries including Li-ion iron phosphate and Na-ion.
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* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
Completed an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, data science, or similar discipline relevant to real-time estimation, prognostics, and health management
Be enrolled in PhD program in similar relevant discipline and competed at least one year in same program, with focus on battery research
Experience or coursework in real-time estimation algorithms including Kalman Filters (linear, unscented, extended variants) or Particle Filters
MATLAB and Python programming. Github code repositories
Experience with online estimation and optimization algorithms
Experience formulating, programming, tuning, and validating models of battery performance and aging, including both empirical and physics-based/electrochemical models
Experience with charge/discharge testing of batteries to measure capacity, AC/DC resistance, thermal response, and age the battery under dynamic application profiles
Knowledge of battery physics including transport/reaction processes governing performance, as well as main degradation mechanisms
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The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.
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.
* Based on eligibility rules
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.
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.
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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.
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