Posting Title
Postdoctoral Researcher – Reaction Engineering for Lignin Valorization
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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, youll 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, youll 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.
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Note: Research suggests that potential job seekers may self-select out of opportunities if they don’t meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who is interested in this opportunity to apply. We seek dedicated people who believe they have the skills and ambition to succeed at NREL to apply for this role.
Job Description
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado, is the nation’s primary laboratory for research, development, and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. The NREL mission is to develop renewable energy and energy efficient technologies and practices, advance related science and engineering, and transfer knowledge and innovation to address the nations energy and environmental goals.
Our group is conducting research to enable realistic, cost effective, and sustainable conversion of biomass to renewable fuels and chemicals, including in the critical area of lignin valorization. This position focuses on reaction engineering and heterogeneous catalysis for the depolymerization of lignin. This will involve reaction engineering efforts to enable facile downstream separations of the solvent, catalyst, and products, lignin model compound experiments where necessary to examine fundamental chemistries occurring during lignin-first biorefining, and design, synthesis, characterization, and application of heterogeneous catalysts for these purposes. Candidates will collaborate with a large, multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional team. The initial appointment is for one year, with possible renewal up to three years.
The successful candidate will be able to:
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Work safely and independently in a laboratory setting
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Learn new techniques and protocols
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Plan and execute research in collaboration with other researchers
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Perform lignin oxidation catalysis, reaction engineering, and catalyst and process design
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Communicate scientific results effectively, both in written and oral formats
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Author peer-reviewed publications, and
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Work effectively in a large, multidisciplinary team of engineers and chemists
***Please DO NOT attach copies of manuscripts, certificates, or presentation slides in your application. Please only include your resume and a cover letter.***
BEST Directorate
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Basic Qualifications
Must be a recent PhD graduate with Related degree within the last three years.
- Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
Additional Required Qualifications
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Troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
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Attention to detail
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Ability to deliver high-quality results within aggressive timelines
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Strong record of quality peer-reviewed publications
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Strong safety record and ability to follow complex standard operating procedures
Preferred Qualifications
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Familiarity with biomass conversion including lignin
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Expert in reaction engineering and chemical catalysis
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Experience in lignin chemistry and catalytic depolymerization
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Comprehensive analytics capabilities in lignin
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Downstream processing experience
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Demonstrated in-depth experience with analytical measurement techniques (e.g. GC-MS)
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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 candidates 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 employees 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.
EEO is the Law
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Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination
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Reasonable Accommodations
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