A postdoctoral research associate position is available at Princeton University in the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment within the Energy Systems Analysis Group. Individuals with an interest in modeling and assessing the prospective evolution to mid-century of U.S. electricity markets and grids are encouraged to apply.


The individual will join Rapid Switch, a new international multi-disciplinary collaboration, currently including researchers in the U.S., China, India, and Australia. The network of researchers seeks to identify pathways to accelerate decarbonization of energy systems by assessing bottlenecks, barriers and resistive forces. Factors that can retard the pace of transition are diverse in nature, including industrial bottlenecks (technological challenges, natural resource availability and constraints in material supplies and manufacturing capacity), regulatory limitations, economic forces and fiscal constraints, political constraints and goal, collective action problems, consumer preferences and fears, lack of public acceptance, rational and irrational influences on public and private investment decisions, and others.

One focus of Rapid Switch is electricity systems, with parallel case-study analyses for India and the U.S. to help understand the pace and extent to which variable renewable electricity generation (wind, solar) is likely to be able to contribute to future electricity supplies. Technological and institutional innovation are likely to be critical; understanding just how fast new technologies or electricity market designs can be developed and deployed, for example, is critical to framing expectations for how rapidly the electricity sector can decarbonize.


Applicants should possess strong, demonstrated electricity market and grid modelling and analysis skills. Experience with algebraic modeling languages used for linear programming (e.g. AMPL, GAMS, etc.) and convex optimization is required. Familiarity with commercial grid modeling software (e.g., Aurora or Plexos) is desirable. Candidates should also enjoy interdisciplinary research and be comfortable interacting with social scientists assessing non-technological factors that may inhibit the pace of U.S. grid decarbonization and with Rapid Switch collaborators conducting grid-related assessments for India. Candidates must have excellent English written and spoken communication skills. PhD degree in a relevant science or engineering field is required.


The appointment will be for one year, with possibility of renewal based on performance and funding.

Applicants must apply online at https://www.princeton.edu/acad-positions/position/9845 and submit a CV, cover letter, and contact information for three references. This position is subject to the University's background check policy.