Research Professor and Assistant Director, Center for Microgrid Research

The School of Engineering at the University of St. Thomas invites applications for a full-time Research Professor (limited term non-tenure track) in the area of Power Systems Engineering at the Center for Microgrid Research (CMR) to begin Spring/Summer of 2026. The faculty member would also serve as the Assistant Director to the Center for Microgrid Research. Candidates are sought in the broad area of power systems with special interest in power system controls protection optimization and AI/ML applications in power and energy systems. Experience with experiments and hardware-in-the-loop is highly desired.

This is a full-time non-tenure track position and can be renewed for up to 5 years. As a student-focused institution with a strong hands-on curriculum we emphasize undergraduate and graduate education that provides technical excellence with a significant emphasis on real world applications. Successful candidates will contribute to the ongoing projects and growth initiatives at CMR. The research professor may also teach a graduate or undergraduate course in collaboration with the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department contributing to the ECE Departments Centers and School of Engineerings educational mission.

The Research Professor and Assistant Director will play a key leadership role in advancing the Centers mission through applied research strategic partnerships and funded programs development. This position will work closely with the Centers Director and collaborate closely with faculty industry partners and students to lead high-impact projects in microgrids distributed energy systems and grid modernization.

The successful candidate will help define and execute the Centers research agenda oversee sponsored research and lab operations and contribute to the professional development of graduate and undergraduate researchers.

This position is grant-funded and is a benefits-eligible term appointment. The position duration is renewable to up to 5 years depending on performance department needs and availability of funds.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to externally funded research in power systems microgrids distributed energy resources (DERs) and control systems
• Contribute to proposal writing and development of new externally funded research initiatives
• Manage multidisciplinary project teams and coordinate with industry government and academic collaborators
• Supervise and mentor postdoctoral scholars engineers graduate (Masters) research assistants (GRAs) and undergraduate students
• Support the Centers Director in strategic planning partnership development and program administration
• Publish research results in high-impact journals and conferences
• Represent the Center at professional meetings technical conferences and industry events
• Oversee laboratory activities and ensure safety efficiency and innovation in research operations
• Contribute to the success of the Center Department and School of Engineering

Salary & Benefits

The University of St. Thomas offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits program which includes:

• Tuition remission benefits for employees spouses and dependents upon eligibility
• A generous employer retirement contribution upon eligibility
• Medical dental and vision options
• Employer-paid disability life and AD&D benefits
• Paid parental leave benefits

Salary Range: $80000 to $100000

The University of St. Thomas has provided a salary range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The specific salary offered will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate departmental budget internal salary equity considerations and available market information.

The University of St. Thomas embraces belonging and equal opportunity for all. Our convictions of dignity diversity and personal attention call us to embody and champion an inclusive environment. The University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin disability age status as a protected veteran or other protected characteristic. This commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity is consistent with our mission: Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition the University of St. Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically act wisely and work skillfully to advance the common good. A successful candidate will possess a commitment to the ideals of this mission.

Required:

• Ph.D. (U.S. or Foreign Equivalent) in Electrical Engineering Power Systems Renewable Energy or a related field
• 2 years of experience in power systems (transmission or distributed levels) microgrids power electronics or AI/ML applications in power systems
• Demonstrated ability to secure and manage at least 1 external grant
• Proven record of research publications with at least 5 peer- reviewed publications

Why Join Us

• Be part of a nationally recognized center shaping the future of grid innovation
• Access cutting-edge HIL infrastructure and a real-world microgrid test environment
• Collaborate with major utilities manufacturers and federal agencies
• Help train the next generation of energy innovators and engineers

The Center for Microgrid Research (CMR) is a premier applied research and education center advancing state-of-the-art technologies for distributed energy resources grid modernization and resiliency. Supported by over $28 million in federal and state funding from agencies such as the NSF DOD and Minnesota Department of Commerce the Center operates one of the nations most advanced campus microgridsspanning more than 2.2 MW of generation capacity five interconnected buildings and four utility tie points. The CMR houses one of the worlds largest Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) research testbeds including both Typhoon HIL and RTDS systems enabling seamless integration between simulation and real-world experimentation. The Center partners with major utilities technology companies and state and federal agencies to accelerate the transition to a secure resilient and carbon-free electric grid.

The University of St Thomas School of Engineering (SOE) is a primarily undergraduate teaching institution focusing on engineering education within the context of a liberal arts framework. As part of the largest private university in Minnesota the School of Engineering comprises nearly 15% of the campus population. The UST School of Engineering offers undergraduate and masters level programs in the areas of Electrical Engineering Data Science Software Engineering Mechanical Engineering Civil engineering and Manufacturing Engineering.

About the University of St. Thomas

The University of St. Thomas is a dynamic mission-driven urban university. Located in a residential neighborhood with easy access to two downtown metropolitan areas and Minneapolis-St. Paul international airport we are Minnesotas largest private university with eight schools and colleges 150 undergraduate majors/minors and 55 graduate programs. Learn more about life as a faculty member at St. Thomas at the following link: Faculty at St. Thomas.

Established in 1885 the University of St. Thomas is located in the major metropolitan area of Minneapolis-St. Paul and is Minnesotas largest private university. Its 9000 students pursue degrees in a wide range of liberal arts professional and graduate programs.

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