Postdoctoral Fellow OR Research Scientist positions focused on U.S. Electricity System

Johns Hopkins University: Whiting School of Engineering: Ralph O’Connor Sustainable Energy Institute (ROSEI)

Salary: $90,000-$150,000 per year

The Ralph O'Connor Sustainable Energy Institute (ROSEI) at Johns Hopkins University invites MULTIPLE applications for Postdoctoral Fellow or Research Scientist positions to support two interconnected, externally funded research programs at the forefront of U.S. electricity system transformation.

Successful candidates will contribute to research on (1) reimagining resource adequacy solutions for the PJM market — including redesign of PJM's Reliability Pricing Model to accommodate data center load growth and bring clean-firm resources to market — and (2) transmission expansion planning and large emerging load integration.

Research Areas

Resource Adequacy & PJM Market Redesign

The Fellow or research scientist will contribute to research by reimagining how electricity markets ensure long-run reliability in PJM and other market regions facing data center-driven load growth and other challenges. Topics will include potential redesign of PJM's Reliability Pricing Model (RPM) and how alternative state-centric approaches to resource adequacy could be structured. We will also explore how innovative market pathways can direct capital investment towards clean-firm resources such as nuclear, geothermal, and long-duration storage.

Transmission Expansion Planning & Emerging Loads

The Fellow or research scientist will collaborate with federal agencies, PJM, state energy offices, utilities, and other stakeholders to develop analytical frameworks, production cost modeling tools, and scenario-based evaluations, and to produce documented recommendations for infrastructure investment and policy design.

Qualifications

For the post-doctoral fellow: A doctoral degree is preferred in a relevant field, including but not limited to Economics, Engineering, Operations Research, or Public Policy. Candidates with other advanced degrees or equivalent years of experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Candidates from all disciplines are welcome provided they have strong quantitative, writing skills or experience modeling energy systems. Salary is commensurate with experience.

For the research scientist position: Five to ten years of industry or non-profit experience in electricity markets, state energy regulation, power plant development or finance. An advanced degree plus research in a relevant field, including but not limited to Economics, Engineering, Operations Research, or Public Policy, will also be considered. Candidates from all disciplines are welcome provided they have a fundamental grounding in regulatory policy and electricity markets. Salary will be commensurate with experience within a range of between $90k - $150k.

Candidates should have demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following:

• Electricity markets operation and design, especially with expertise on capacity markets
• Power system planning or operations modeling
• State regulation of utilities
• Power plant finance or development
• Auction design or game theory
• Regulated markets/economics
• Production cost modeling (PCM)
• Optimization methods for energy systems
• Model development and maintenance (e.g., GitHub)

Experience with PJM, state or federal policymakers, or other forward capacity market designs is preferred but not required. Cross-disciplinary publication is a strength. Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills are required. Candidates from both academic and industry backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Priority will be given to the candidates with an earlier start date.

Application Instructions

Review begins Monday April 6th; applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. Submit the following through Interfolio at: https://apply.interfolio.com/182959 :

1. A cover letter (2-page maximum) addressing your track record in relevant areas — electricity markets, resource adequacy, power system planning, transmission expansion planning and TEA, or related topics. A cover letter must also indicate if one wishes to be considered a postdoctoral fellow, research scientist, or both positions.
2. A current Curriculum Vitae
3. Names and contact information for three references