Electrical Power Systems Researcher - CSIRO - GovernmentCareer - Federal

First listed on: 04 January 2020

Electrical Power Systems Researcher


The Opportunity

Work at the leading edge of the worldwide electricity system transformation

With world leading uptake of renewable energy, Australia is tackling some of the world’s most complex electrical system integration projects.

Join the challenge with CSIRO – Australia’s National Science Agency – where you will:

  • Work in the team at the center of Australia’s electricity system transformation
  • Develop and apply cutting edge solutions to solve real-world problems and deploy these in real grids servicing millions of people
  • Collaborate internationally while solving the challenges Australia’s power system is facing – years before most other countries.
  • Take your research to commercial success, with the opportunity for startups, spinouts or deployment with major industrial partners.

CSIRO’s work delivers the data and analysis that underpins energy policy and implementation in Australia.  

Want to help drive the renewable energy revolution? Join the team!

Australia’s electricity system is leading the world in its transition to a decentralised, low-inertia power grid, with some parts already over 50% renewable energy penetration. Australia is facing system management, operations and modelling challenges before most other countries in the world.

Given these challenges, CSIRO has a range of power system research positions open, working on applied research activities in electrical power systems and energy network modelling and control. These roles will work with a range of partners to take the latest optimisation, simulation and analytical techniques to solve the transition challenges in Australia’s electricity system. You will have the opportunity to build and maintain international networks of research collaborators, deploy your research in to real-world operating systems, and develop new science guiding the world’s energy transition.

Your duties will include

As an Electrical Power Systems Researcher, you will contribute to applied research activities in electrical power systems and energy network modelling and control. This will include:

  • Conducting modelling and simulation studies of Australia’s current and next-generation electricity generation, transmission and distribution systems (in near real-time and longer-term timeframes).
  • Developing approaches and techniques for solving grid challenges associated with renewable energy integration, managing battery systems or distributed energy resources. Deploying and testing these techniques in real-world, large scale deployments.
  • Interacting and collaborating with diverse industrial and research partners, including network service providers, universities, energy market operators, start-up companies, and others.
  • Contributing to research proposals and carrying out research investigations, requiring originality, creativity and innovation.
  • Communicating research results to a range of audiences, from policy makers to the general public, industrial clients and the scientific community.

Location: Newcastle, NSW
Salary: AU$98k - AU$106k plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure: Specified Term of 36 months
Reference: 64343

To be successful you will need
  • Bachelor’s degree and PhD or equivalent relevant work experience in engineering or mathematics, with a focus on power system modelling, optimisation or control
  • Experience in electrical generation/distribution/transmission system modelling or optimisation and control
  • An enthusiasm for applied research solving current problems for commercial partners.

Ideally, you will have experience in:

  • Electromagnetic transient simulation (focus on frequency stability, protection schemes, hardware/software in the loop simulation); or
  • Power flow, optimal power flow, contingency analysis, reliability management in transmission systems, market clearing, unit commitment; or
  • other aspects related to distribution grid modelling (unbalanced power flow, harmonics, ‘smart grid’ customer side device integration).

 

For details about who to contact and for more information please view Position Description

CSIRO’s Commitment to Diversity

We’re working hard to recruit diverse people and ensure all our people feel supported to do their best work and empowered to let their ideas flourish.

Flexible Working Arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. Talk to us about how this role could be flexible for you. Balance

About CSIRO

At CSIRO you can be part of helping to solve big, complex problems that make a real difference to our future. We spark off each other, learn from each other, trust each other and collaborate to achieve more than we could individually in a supportive, rewarding, inclusive and truly flexible environment. 

This role will be based at the CSIRO Energy Centre in Newcastle, Australia – the main hub for power systems research within CSIRO.

Take a virtual tour of the Energy Centre here: https://blog.csiro.au/energy-facility-tours/

Newcastle offers a great lifestyle – learn more here: https://www.visitnewcastle.com.au/

Apply Online

To apply online, please provide a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability and motivation for the role, including an address of the essential criteria outlined in the Position Description.

Applications Close

23:59 AEDT 26th January 2020