Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Center for Advancing Community Electrification Solutions (ACES)

The ACES Center at Lehigh University invites applications for a highly qualified postdoctoral researcher in a multidisciplinary project on the stability and cyber-physical security of hyperscale data centers in future inverter-dominated power grids. The project is a collaboration across Electrical and Computer Engineering (Dr. Javad Khazaei and Dr. Shalinee Kishore) and Civil and Environmental Engineering (Dr. Faegheh Moazeni) departments at Lehigh University. This position focuses on the fundamental interaction between gigawatt-scale hyperscale data centers and modern power grids with high penetration of inverter-based resources (IBRs). The resulting system is a tightly coupled cyber-physical infrastructure where power electronics AI-driven workloads UPS systems and grid dynamics interact across multiple timescales creating new and poorly understood instability mechanisms.

The successful candidate is expected to contribute to foundational research in dynamic modeling stability analysis and control of coupled data centergrid systems. Emphasis will be placed on developing new theoretical frameworks for inverter-dominated systems identifying stability boundaries and designing predictive mitigation strategies under both normal and adversarial (cyber-physical) conditions.

A key feature of this position is the opportunity to collaborate with the Siemens Research and Development team through existing partnerships between the PIs and Siemens providing exposure to industrial-scale inverter technologies and pathways for translating theoretical results into practice.

Position Number: RC1480

Anticipated Salary: $63480 - Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience including benefits.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design execute and analyze experiments contributing to the overall goals of the research group.
• Prepare and publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present results at conferences.
• Assist in the mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students providing guidance on experimental techniques data analysis and project development.
• Contribute to grant writing including assisting in the development of proposals and identifying funding opportunities.
• Participate in departmental seminars workshops and other events engaging with the academic community.
• Contribute to teaching responsibilities including delivering lectures leading lab sessions and supporting curriculum development (subject to department needs and funding agency requirements).

Qualifications:

• PhD in Electrical Engineering Control Applied Mathematics or related field (completed or near completion)
• Strong publication record in top-tier journals or conferences in power systems control or cyber-physical systems
• Strong expertise in at least one: power system dynamics inverter-based resources microgrid modeling or nonlinear control
• Solid foundation in dynamical systems optimization or control theory
• Proficiency in MATLAB Python or equivalent scientific computing tools
• Strong writing verbal and interpersonal communication skills are required
• Proven ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative research team

• Experience with inverter-dominated grids grid-forming or grid-following control
• Background in cyber-physical systems resilience or energy infrastructure security
• Familiarity with data center systems (UPS rectifiers workload-energy coupling)
• Experience with real-time simulation or HIL platforms (OPAL-RT RTDS PSCAD etc.)
• Strong interdisciplinary research record across power systems and control
• Publications in IEEE Transactions IFAC or equivalent venues

Terms of Appointment:
This is a full-time one-year position with the possibility of renewal based on performance and funding availability. The position will start on a mutually agreed-upon date.

Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience including benefits. Please visit the Postdoctoral Affairs Office website for the compensation policy at Lehigh University.

Application Process:
Applicants should submit a cover letter describing research interests and fit CV with publication list 23 representative papers and contact information for three references. Applications should be sent to Prof. Javad Khazaei (Email: ). Please make sure to use the Email subject: ACES Postdoc Cyber-Physical Data Center Stability for full consideration.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Lehigh University offers a vibrant and inclusive work environment that fosters professional growth personal development and a strong sense of community. With a commitment to diversity equity and inclusion we value the unique perspectives and experiences of our employees. Competitive benefits including comprehensive healthcare plans tuition remission and retirement savings opportunities ensure your well-being and long-term success. Lehigh University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate. We are committed to a culturally and intellectually diverse community and we seek qualified candidates to contribute to the universitys mission.

Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing an accommodation for any part of the interview or hiring process may contact Lehighs Accommodations Specialist.

• The duties of the position do not allow for a remote work option; the employee in this position will be required to work on campus where they can be fully accessible to the Lehigh community
• This position works with minors

Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to: social security verification education verification national criminal background checks motor vehicle checks PATCH FBI fingerprinting Child Abuse Clearance and credit history based upon the requirements of the position.

Only complete applications will be considered therefore please complete the application in its entirety. Once the posting is removed from the website applications may no longer be allowed to be completed.