Postdoctoral Researcher – Bio-based, Compostable Polymer Design For Packaging Applications

Posting Title

Postdoctoral Researcher – Bio-based, compostable polymer design for packaging applications

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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 NRELThe 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 though our eight 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.

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 nation’s energy and environmental goals. A postdoctoral researcher role is available in NREL’s Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center.

The successful candidate will work on a project to develop bio-based, compostable polymer materials for more sustainable packing applications. In particular, this position will focus on working with a computational materials design team screening and developing biobased monomers, synthesizing polymer samples, optimizing formulations, and characterizing polymer properties. Candidates will collaborate with a large, multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional team for novel material development to identify and overcome major technical hurdles to advance commercialization.

The successful candidate will be able to:

• Work safely and independently in a laboratory setting
• Plan and execute research in collaboration with other researchers
• Synthesize and characterize polymer precursors and products.
• Communicate scientific results effectively, both in written and oral formats
• Author peer-reviewed publications, and
• Work effectively in a large, multidisciplinary team of engineers and chemists.

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Basic QualificationsMust be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.

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Additional Required Qualifications

• Experience in polymer synthesis and characterization
• In-depth experience with polymer characterization techniques (e.g. FTIR, NMR, TGA, DSC, DMA)
• Troubleshooting and problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Ability to deliver high-quality results within aggressive timelines
• Strong record of quality peer-reviewed publications.
• Strong safety record and ability to follow complex standard operating procedures.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in bio-based polymer development
• Experience in organic synthesis for monomer production

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Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)Annual Salary Range: $68,000 - $112,200

Of fers will typically be made in the bottom half of the listed range. NREL takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, as well as the position's work location, 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 SummaryBenefits 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

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, 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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