Post-Doctoral Researcher - Applied Climate Science

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is hiring a Post-Doctoral Researcher in Applied Climate Science to enhance climate resilience programs. The role involves developing machine learning models for climate data, conducting urban heat mitigation studies, and collaborating with community partners. Candidates should have a recent PhD in relevant fields and strong skills in climate data analysis and programming. The position is based in Golden, CO, indicating it is not remote.
About the position

NREL is seeking a highly motivated Post-Doctoral Researcher to contribute to our climate resilience program. The program includes cutting-edge initiatives aimed at ensuring power system resilience under climate change and improving urban heat resilience in vulnerable communities. This position offers an opportunity to apply advanced climate science, machine learning, energy systems analysis, and urban heat mitigation strategies to real-world challenges, driving positive impacts on resilience in a changing climate. As a Post-Doctoral Researcher, you will be involved in several key areas of research. In the realm of Applied Climate Science, you will develop and apply generative machine learning models to create downscaled climate data products that will inform localized extreme weather, power system reliability, and urban heat resilience. You will also conduct parametric design studies to assess the impact of various urban heat mitigation measures, such as increasing vegetation cover and albedo of rooftops and paved surfaces. Community engagement is a vital aspect of this role. You will collaborate with community partners, electric utilities, and city officials to incorporate local insights into the modeling process, ensuring that data outputs are relevant and actionable for planning. Additionally, you will work closely with project collaborators to translate complex modeling results into decision-relevant data, supporting community-driven planning processes. Your contributions will extend to research and publication, where you will have the opportunity to contribute to high-impact publications and presentations that advance the field of climate resilience. This includes opportunities to present findings at conferences and workshops, thereby enhancing your professional profile and contributing to the broader scientific community.

Responsibilities
• Develop and apply generative machine learning models to create downscaled climate data products.
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• Conduct parametric design studies to assess the impact of various urban heat mitigation measures.
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• Collaborate with community partners, electric utilities, and city officials to incorporate local insights into the modeling process.
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• Translate complex modeling results into decision-relevant data to support community-driven planning processes.
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• Contribute to high-impact publications and presentations that advance the field of climate resilience.

Requirements
• Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.
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• Ph.D. in Climate Science, Environmental Science, Computer Science, Power Systems Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.
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• Strong background in climate data analysis.
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• Experience with machine learning techniques and their application to climate data.
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• Proficiency in programming languages, especially Python.
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• Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex scientific concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
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• Proven ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative research team.
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• Demonstrated ability to publish in peer-reviewed journals and present at scientific conferences.

Nice-to-haves
• Experience with satellite remote sensing data, particularly in the context of urban research.
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• Experience with the intersection of weather, climate, and energy systems.
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• Familiarity with urban heat mitigation strategies and their implementation.
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• Experience with high-performance computing.
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• Experience working with community-based organizations or in community-engaged research.

Benefits
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
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• Short-term disability insurance
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• Pension benefits
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• 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match
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• Life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
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• Personal time off (PTO) and sick leave
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• Paid holidays
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• Performance-, merit-, and achievement-based awards that include a monetary component
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• Potential eligibility for relocation expense reimbursement