Senior Researcher - 5G and Advanced Telecommunications

Posting Title

Senior Researcher - 5G and Advanced Telecommunications

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Location

CO - Golden

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Position Type

Regular

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Hours Per Week

40

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Working at NREL

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for research and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

From day one at NREL, you'll connect with coworkers driven by the same mission to save the planet. By joining an organization that values a supportive, inclusive, and flexible work environment, you'll have the opportunity to engage through our ten employee resource groups, numerous employee-driven clubs, and learning and professional development classes.

NREL supports inclusive, diverse, and unbiased hiring practices that promote creativity and innovation. By collaborating with organizations that focus on diverse talent pools, reaching out to underrepresented demographics, and providing an inclusive application and interview process, our Talent Acquisition team aims to hear all voices equally. We strive to attract a highly diverse workforce and create a culture where every employee feels welcomed and respected and they can be their authentic selves.

Our planet needs us! Learn about NREL's critical objectives, and see how NREL is focused on saving the planet.

Note: Research suggests that potential job seekers may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who is interested in this opportunity to apply. We seek dedicated people who believe they have the skills and ambition to succeed at NREL to apply for this role.

Job Description

NREL's Cybersecurity Research Center is performing research to secure our energy systems from cyberattack, and to make them more resilient to disruptions of any type. Using an on-premises private cloud interconnected with unique and powerful laboratory systems, NREL's cyber range powers our investigation of rapidly evolving communication systems, industrial control systems, internet of things (IoT), and the flow of energy on which we all depend. Our research significantly enhances energy security, resilience, efficiency, and affordability across the United States and the world.

On this team, software engineers work closely with network engineers and architects, mathematicians, and security professionals. Every project involves collaboration across NREL's domains of expertise - from renewable generation via wind, solar, and geothermal; to efficient energy consumption in smart buildings, electric vehicles, and industry; to the power systems, energy storage, data and control algorithms needed to ensure the whole system operates reliably.

The successful applicant will provide technical and strategic leadership on emerging efforts in 5G telecommunications. These research projects focus on securing distributed clean energy systems, including advanced application of 5G to energy system operations, as well as telecommunications beyond 5G. The role will help develop a vision and growth strategy for a priority research domain that is rapidly growing. The successful candidate will bring technical expertise in cellular communications, network core and radio access technologies. The candidate will collaborate with power systems and cybersecurity researchers to develop and use a robust testbed for telecommunications and cybersecurity research opportunities. Additionally, the candidate will help to further develop NREL's 5G and beyond research portfolio through proposal writing and partnership development. The researcher will interface directly with DOE, utility, industry, and other federal sponsors; help to set program targets; and provide technical leadership to researchers at NREL.

Responsibilities include

• Lead the growth of 5G+ focused research within the Cybersecurity Research Center

• Provide strong technical leadership to existing and future research projects focused on the intersection of 5G+ and distributed energy systems.

• Support the deployment and operation of a 5G communications testbed and the integration with existing cybersecurity and energy systems research capabilities

• Collaborate with power systems, resilience and cybersecurity researchers on proposals and joint research projects

• Collaborate with sponsors, partners, and other national labs

• Develop new research proposals and programs related to cybersecurity

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Basic Qualifications

This role can be hired at a Level IV or Level V.

Level V

Relevant PhD and 9 or more years of experience. Or, relevant Master's Degree and 12 or more years of experience. Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 14 or more years of experience.

Level IV

Relevant PhD and 4 or more years of experience. Or, relevant Master's Degree and 7 or more years of experience. Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 9 or more years of experience.

*** Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.**

Additional Required Qualifications

Researcher V

• Applies advanced scientific technical principles, theories and concepts

• Contributes to the development of new principles and concepts

• Considered a national subject matter expert

• Demonstrates leadership in a number of areas, including all team, task and/or project lead responsibilities

• Demonstrated management of complex and/or impactful projects

• Excellent technical writing, interpersonal and communication skills

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Researcher IV

• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of laws, regulations, principles, procedures and practices related to specific field

• Excellent leadership, communication, problem solving and project management skills

• Ability to use various computer software programs

RIV and RV level

• Deep technical expertise in 5G core and radio access technologies

• Experience architecting and deploying a 5G network for research

• Experience with existing opensource technology stacks such as OpenAirInterface and Open5GCore

• Familiarity with security architectures and considerations for 5G networks as well as network slicing, MORAN and MOCN

• Familiarity with Open RAN

• Strong understanding of relevant 3GPP standards

• Demonstrated experience in successfully leading diverse teams

• Strong writing and public speaking skills demonstrated through proposals, presentations, business development and/or customer engagement

• Demonstrated experience working safely in laboratory or field with hardware or communications systems, including troubleshooting.

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE security clearance at the Q/TS/SCI level. A polygraph may be required. Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE O 472.2A for a dditional information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with cybersecurity tools, techniques, and practice in telecommunications and/or industrial control systems

• Existing security clearance

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Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)

Job Profile: Researcher V / Annual Salary Range: $114,500 - $206,100

Job Profile: Researcher IV / Annual Salary Range: $95,500 - $171,900

NREL takes into consideration a candidate's education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee's salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits Summary

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short- and long-term disability insurance; pension benefits; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement. NREL employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.

***** Based on eligibility rules

Drug Free Workplace

NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

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EEO Policy

NREL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is a leader in the U.S. Department of Energy's effort to secure an environmentally and economically sustainable energy future. With locations in Golden and Boulder, Colorado, and a satellite office in Washington, D.C., NREL is the primary laboratory for research, development, and deployment of renewable energy technologies in the United States.

NREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All candidates must be authorized to access the facility per DOE rules and guidance within a reasonable time frame for the specified position in order to be considered for an interview. DOE rules for site access during the interview process are the same regardless of whether the candidate is interviewed on-site, off-site, or via telephone or videoconference. Additionally, DOE contractor employees are prohibited from participating in certain Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs (FGTRPs). If a candidate is currently participating in an FGTRP, they will be required to disclose their participation after receiving an offer of employment and may be required to disengage from participation in the FGTRP prior to commencing employment. Any offer of employment is conditional on the ability to obtain work authorization and to be granted access to NREL by the Department of Energy (DOE).

Drug Free Workplace

NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

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