Senior Renewable Thermal Energy Systems Researcher

Location

CO – Golden

Position Type

Regular

Hours Per Week

40

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 candidate will contribute to developing technologies for industrial heat decarbonization that may include renewable energy sources such as concentrating solar power (CSP) and thermal energy storage (TES). Responsibilities under this position include leading work on modeling, testing, reporting, publications, leading research and development (R&D), outreaching partners, and pursuing research funding support.

Basic Qualifications

For Researcher 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 . Apply advanced engineering 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 (works independently). Demonstrated management of complex and/or impactful projects. Excellent writing, interpersonal and communication skills.

For Researcher 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 . Applies extensive engineering technical expertise, and has full knowledge of other related disciplines. Considered a technical resource. Demonstrates leadership in several areas of team, task or project lead responsibilities. Demonstrated experience in management of projects. Excellent writing, interpersonal and communication skills.

• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

Researcher Level IV:

• Industrial and/or research experiences in process heat applications [150 C – 600 C] such as usage of steam
• Occupies fundamental knowledge and industrial applications of heat transfer
• Occupies experience in energy integration of industrial processes, e.g., across a range of temperatures and processes
• Recognized national (and/or international) reputation in the areas of industrial process heat and thermal systems
• Occupies research & development experiences leading projects and with frequent publication of considerable impact (papers/reports/patents)
• Possesses knowledge of additional benefits of clean energy choices (e.g., reduction of GHG emissions, increased flexibility of heat sources, reduction of waste products)
• Possesses efficient and effective communication skills- frequently communicating research results with clients, external agencies, governmental senior-level management and general audience.

Researcher Level V

• Industrial and research experiences in process heat applications [150 C – 600 C] such as usage of steam
• Occupies senior scientist level knowledge and industrial applications of heat transfer
• Occupies senior scientist level experience in energy integration of industrial processes, e.g., across a range of temperatures and processes
• Recognized national or international reputation in the areas of industrial process heat and thermal systems
• Occupies research & development experiences leading projects and publication of high-impact (papers/reports/patents)
• Possesses in depth knowledge of additional benefits of clean energy choices (e.g., reduction of GHG emissions, increased flexibility of heat sources, reduction of waste products)
• Possesses efficient and effective communication skills- consistently communicating research results with clients, external agencies, governmental senior-level management and general audience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experiences in renewable energy systems for heat application
• Experiences in industrial process modeling, system operation, optimization and integration
• Experiences in leading team for industrial research, development & deployment projects

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

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.

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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