Posting Title
Postdoctoral Researcher - Organic Photovoltaics Module Scale Up and Durability
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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
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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
A postdoctoral position is available in NREL’s Materials, Chemical and Computational Science Directorate on research efforts in the fabrication, scale-up, and durability of organic photovoltaic modules. The initial appointment is for 1 year with possible renewal up to three years.
This position will focus on durability and packaging of organic solar cells and modules. Responsibilities will include developing methods for packaging, conducting accelerated stress tests on samples and performing post-mortem root-cause analysis to understand the mechanisms for failure. A background in analytical chemistry and materials characterization techniques (HPLC, NMR, SEM, XPS, XRD etc.) as well as device testing such as EQE and IV is important. Some background in reliability testing of PV devices is desirable but not required.
The collaborative environment requires a candidate who can interface with researchers of different disciplines and learn topics outside their area of expertise. Candidates will be expected to communicate their results to internal stakeholders and in more traditional forums such as peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations. In general, candidates should have a demonstrated track record of success in technical activities associated with fabrication of organic photovoltaic devices and characterization using a multitude of coating techniques beyond spin-coating, with emphasis on blade, bar, gravure, and slot-die. The candidate will be required to work closely with the Environment, Health, & Safety team to follow safe work procedures, as well as to handle waste properly and keep a clean, well-organized work environment, with a potential expectation to serve as a Designated Area Representative in the lab space associated with this work
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Basic Qualifications
Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.
* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
Additional Required Qualifications
- Experience processing of organic semiconductor thin films and all steps required to produce quality functional devices.
- Understanding of donor:acceptor microstructure with respect to processing technique and solvent, as well as spectroscopic techniques used to characterize their optoelectronic properties in thin films.
Preferred Qualifications
Formulate testable research hypotheses and lead experiments in the laboratory. Critically analyze results and present research updates and proposed research directions on a regular basis.
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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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