Job Description

Posting Title

Postdoctoral Researcher - Instrument Development for Hydrogen Storage Materials

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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 Chemistry & Nanoscience Center at NREL has an opening for a post doctorial researcher to support R&D within the HyMARC consortium that is dedicated to accelerating the discovery of advanced hydrogen storage materials and hydrogen carriers (https://www.hymarc.org/). The position primarily involves Raman spectroscopy to determine ortho:para hydrogen ratios and PCT calorimetry to measure heats of adsorption for hydrogen interacting with hydrogen storage materials.  The development of best practices for equipment use, validation protocols, experimental design, data analysis, and data interpretation will be critical. The successful candidate will have experience with characterization of hydrogen storage/carrier materials as well as experience with modifying equipment for optimum experimental results. Strong communication, interpersonal, and project management skills are required.

Job Duties

• Develop best practices for Raman spectroscopy and calorimetry experiments and data analysis.
• Calibrate and validate equipment.
• Document best practices for instrument use.
• Execute Raman spectroscopy and calorimetry experiments, including in-depth data analysis, for hydrogen storage projects.
• Assist with troubleshooting and repair of equipment.

MCCS Directorate

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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 with calorimetry and/or in situ/in operando Raman spectroscopy measurements.
• Material characterization experience.
• Experience with equipment modification.
• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong self-motivation, ability to work on collaborative projects, ability to prioritize and balance different types of concurrent tasks, strong organization skills, attention to details.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Strong written, verbal, team, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proven research contributions.

Preferred Qualifications

Candidates should have at least two or more of the following:

• Experience with equipment automation regarding integration of hardware and software
• Experience with thermal management for custom equipment
• Proven skills in troubleshooting and repairing complex mechanical and electrical systems
• Ability to program in one or more languages preferably python and LabView
• Experience with cryogenic systems down to 20K
• Experience with designing instruments for use at cryogenic temperatures
• Materials characterization skills such as BET, TEM, XRD, XRF, TPD, and adsorption measurements using a Sieverts apparatus.
• Other significant computer programming experience
• Experience with vacuum systems
• Experience with high pressure systems (200 bar)
• Experience with gas adsorption instruments
• Experience with mass spectroscopy systems
• Machine shop and/or mechanical design experience

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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.

EEO is the Law | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination | Reasonable Accommodations

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