Postdoctoral Researcher - Electrical, Computer and Telecommunications Engineering Technology, ECTET

Appointment:
Full-time, 12-18 months (flexible time duration)

Position Summary:
The Postdoctoral Researcher will conduct research and development in advanced power electronics and energy conversion systems, with an emphasis on high-power back-to-back converters, solid state transformer technologies. The researcher will work under the supervision of Dr. Liwei Zhou at Rochester Institute of Technology. The research program focuses on developing and integrating back-to-back power converter technology, and advancing an integrated Solid-State Transformer architecture. The project will involve close collaboration with graduate students, industry partners, and external engineering/manufacturing collaborators.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop models, control algorithms, and experimental platforms for high-power back-to-back power converters.
• Support integration of back-to-back converter and DAB stages toward a Solid-State Transformer system.
• Design, implement, and test power converter control algorithms, including active front-end and rectifier control.
• Integrate power electronic hardware, sensors, filters, control interfaces, and protection systems.
• Perform experimental characterization, data analysis, troubleshooting, and performance evaluation of converter prototypes.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Power Electronics, Power Engineering, or a closely related field, completed by the appointment start date.
• Strong background in power electronics and power converter systems.
• Experience with modeling, simulation, control, and experimental validation of power electronic converters.
• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink or comparable modeling and control-development tools.
• Experience with laboratory testing of power electronic hardware.
• Strong technical communication and documentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Research experience with one or more of the following: DC/AC inverters, Dual Active Bridge converters, Solid-State Transformers, grid-connected power converters, or high-power DC/DC converters.
• Experience with real-time control platforms, rapid-control-prototyping systems, DSPs, FPGAs, or similar embedded-control hardware.
• Experience with high-voltage/high-power laboratory testing, sensing, protection, and hardware integration.
• Demonstrated research productivity through peer-reviewed publications, patents, or significant prototype development.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Independently conducts research including, but not limited to, constructing hypotheses, design and planning of research studies, data management, model development, conducting experiments or assessments, analysis and interpretation of results, and evaluation of research techniques
• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders
• Ensure compliance with institutional, sponsor, and regulatory requirements
• Disseminates and publishes research results in peer-reviewed journals, reports, meetings, workshops, and conferences
• Assists in the writing of grant proposals
• May assist in teaching classes
• May mentor and assist undergraduate and/or graduate students
• May assist in managing research laboratories
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to plan and execute research
• Knowledge of applicable research methods and analytical procedures
• Knowledge of research compliance and ethics
• Knowledge of publishing/reporting requirements
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills
• Demonstrated potential for original or collaborative scholarship
• Scientific writing skills demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications
• Ability to acquire accurate, reproducible data
• Critical eye towards consistency, reproducibility, and the scientific method in general
• Excellent project and time management skills
• Strong interpersonal and mentoring skills
• Advocate for safety and ethics in the workplace
• Ability to communicate findings and effectively work with sponsors and stakeholders

Minimum Education & Experience

• Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in a related field

Job Level Overview

N/A

FLSA Category

Exempt

Work Location

On Campus

Compensation

$45,000-$55,000

Application Materials

When you are ready to complete an application for this position please be prepared to submit the below requested information.  This will be required to ensure your application is processed in a timely manner.

Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae or Resume, Research Statement

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.

Additional Details

In compliance with NYS's Pay Transparency Act, the salary range for this position is listed above. Rochester Institute of Technology considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The hiring process for this position may require a criminal background check and/or motor vehicle records check. Any verbal or written offer made is contingent on satisfactory results, as determined by Human Resources. RIT provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status or disability in its hiring, admissions, educational programs and activities. RIT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York Human Rights Law, or similar applicable law.

If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Human Resources office at 585-475-2424 or email your request to [email protected]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.