Washington State University

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Washington State University$62K — $120K *
Energy & Utilities
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering with a focus on Power Engineering or relevant field.
  • Experience in modeling and analyzing electrical power grids.
  • Familiarity with high-fidelity inverter models and HVDC system stability.
  • Proven ability to lead research projects and collaborate effectively with research teams.
  • Strong presentation and mentoring skills for supervising Ph.D. students.

Responsibilities

  • Lead funded research projects on inverter models and power system stability.
  • Conduct research on electric power grid modeling and analysis.
  • Collaborate with PNNL researchers to enhance project outcomes.
  • Develop proposals for new research initiatives in power systems.
  • Supervise Ph.D. students and support their research development.
  • Design training programs for early-stage Ph.D. students in research methodologies.
  • Facilitate weekly paper discussions to boost academic engagement.

Benefits

  • Paid sick and vacation leave and holidays.
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, life, and disability insurance.
  • Retirement benefits and optional supplemental retirement accounts.
  • Support for employee and dependent well-being through health programs.
Full Job Description

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:

August 19, 2026

If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s):

306-YY_FACULTY - Postdoctoral Research Associate

Business Title:

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Employee Type:

Faculty (+) (Fixed Term)

Position Term:

12 Month

Position Details:

The Opportunity:

Postdoctoral candidate will lead and support a portfolio of funded research projects under the supervision of Dr. Wei Du, Assistant Professor, Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture (VCEA), School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS)/Energy Systems Innovation Center (ESIC) to develop high-fidelity grid-forming inverter models and high-voltage direct current (HVDC) models, and investigate their impact on the power system stability. Candidate will also develop robust control strategies for inverter-based resources, and conduct hardware experiments and hardware-in-the-loop testing to validate the control algorithms.

Research Component:

  • Conduct research on modelling and analysis of electric power grid

  • Study impacts of high-fidelity grid-forming inverter models and high-voltage direct current (HVCD) models on power system stability

  • Contribute to the advances of power systems optimization and stability

  • Lead collaborations with PNNL researchers and develop proposals to support new efforts in the aforementioned problem space

Student Supervision:

  • Help supervise Ph.D. students: Create a research plan aligned with ongoing projects, timely follow-up on research progress, and assist in dissemination of the results

  • Help prepare training and skill development plans for early Ph.D. students related to conceptual understanding, research methodology, and implementation details

  • Hold weekly paper reading session with Ph.D. students and provide feedback


Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts. For additional information, please review the and Total Compensation. For information or questions about Benefits, please contact HRS Benefits at 509-335-4521.

Additional Information:

Annual Salary: $62,232 - $120,000 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications

In accordance with , the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. Successful candidates typically begin up to mid-point of the salary range.

This is a full time (100% FTE), temporary position. This position is overtime eligible.

Appointment Duration: This is a temporary position expected to start on August 20, 2026 and end on August 19, 2027. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend employment.


Required Qualifications:

  • Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, specializing in Power Engineering or related discipline;

  • Experience conducting research on modelling and analysis of the power grid;

  • Experience conducting research on high-fidelity inverter models and high-voltage direct current (HBCD) models on power system stability

Position Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

About School - & Energy Systems Innovation Center


College: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture (VCEA)
Department Name: School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS)/Energy Systems Innovation Center (ESIC)
Location: Pullman, WA 99164

Application Instructions: Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

1) Resume/CV
2) Cover Letter

External candidates, upload all documents in the “Application Document” section of your application.

Current WSU Employees (internal candidates), before starting your Workday application, . Internal candidates, upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.

All candidates, documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF, if possible.

Reference contact information will be requested later in the recruitment process through Workday.

Contact: For questions regarding this position or the application process, please contact Wei Du

Union Representation:This position is represented exclusively by Postdocs United/United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Information regarding the Union and the CBA is available on theWSU Labor Relations website.

About Washington State University

Washington State University is a public land-grant research university with its flagship, and oldest, campus in Pullman, Washington. Founded in 1890, WSU is also one of the oldest land-grant universities in the American West. With an undergraduate enrollment of 24,278 and a total enrollment of 28,581, it is the second largest institution for higher education in Washington state behind the University of Washington. It is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity". The WSU Pullman campus stands on a hill and is characterized by open spaces and a red brick and basalt material palette—materials originally found on site. The university sits within the rolling topography of the Palouse in rural eastern Washington and remains closely connected to the town and the region. The university also operates campuses across Washington at WSU Spokane, WSU Tri-Cities, and WSU Vancouver, all founded in 1989. In 2012, WSU launched an Internet-based Global Campus, which includes its online degree program, WSU Online. In 2015, WSU expanded to a sixth campus at WSU Everett. These campuses award primarily bachelor's and master's degrees. Freshmen and sophomores were first admitted to the Vancouver campus in 2006 and to the Tri-Cities campus in 2007. WSU's athletic teams are called the Cougars and the school colors are crimson and gray. Six men's and nine women's varsity teams compete in NCAA Division I in the Pac-12 Conference. Both men's and women's indoor track teams compete in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.
Learn more about Washington State University

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