Posting Title
Postdoctoral Researcher - Biorefinery Analysis
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Location
CO - Golden
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Position Type
Postdoc (Fixed Term)
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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.
We invite all interested candidates to apply for this opportunity. While we recognize that job seekers may hesitate if they don’t meet every requirement, we encourage dedicated individuals who meet all the basic and additional required qualifications of the role to submit an application. We value the opportunity to consider those who believe they have the necessary skills and ambition to succeed at NREL.
Job Description
The Catalytic Carbon Transformation & Scale-Up Center at NREL has an opening for a full time Postdoctoral Researcher within the Economic, Sustainability, and Market Analysis (ESMA) group. The initial appointment is for one year, with possible renewal up to three years.
The ESMA group is conducting analysis aimed at quantifying the economic potential for biomass/biorefinery conversion technologies, as well as understanding opportunities and risks for scaling such technologies up to commercial implementation. This position will entail process modeling, techno-economic analysis (TEA), and life-cycle assessment (LCA), with a particular focus on providing support for biochemical conversion technologies (e.g. biomass deconstruction and fermentation), thermochemical conversion technologies (e.g. pyrolysis and gasification), and strategic support including risk analysis for scale-up and deployment moving from bench/pilot-scale research to commercial-scale implementation. Working with a dynamic, analytical and modeling team will be a critical component of this position, and analysis will be expected to guide experimental research efforts.
The successful candidate will be able to:
- Assimilate a wide variety of information and data into engineering assessments
- Envision, develop, and optimize process flow diagrams reflecting integrated process operations
- Communicate analysis results effectively, both written and oral
- Author peer-reviewed publications
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Basic Qualifications
Must be a recent, PhD graduate within the last three years in chemical engineering, bioengineering or related field.
* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
Additional Required Qualifications
- Research/analysis experience with an emphasis on biochemical and/or thermochemical conversion process development
- Demonstrated experience in process modeling with tools such as Aspen Plus
- Demonstrated experience in life-cycle assessment with tools such as SimaPro/GREET
- Demonstrated experience with data acquisition, management and analysis
- Knowledge of technology risk assessment, risks and uncertainties associated with technology scale-up, and pioneer versus “nth-plant” operations/economics
- PhD degree in chemical engineering or related field
Preferred Qualifications
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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: Postdoctoral Researcher / Annual Salary Range: $73,200 - $120,800
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-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; and paid holidays. 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.
* Based on eligibility rules
Badging Requirement
NREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation.
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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