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

Location: RIT Main Location

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