Posting Title Research Engineer . Location CO - Golden . Position Type Regular . Hours Per Week 40 . COVID-19 Safety Protocols Employment at NREL is contingent upon your compliance with all NREL and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) safety protocols and mitigation efforts directed at the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 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. Our planet needs us! Learn about NREL’s critical objectives, and see how NREL is focused on saving the planet. 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 NREL has a full-time opening for a Research Engineer to participate in process research and development activities within the Catalytic Carbon Transformation and Scaleup Center by conducting research to develop, improve, integrate, scale up, and demonstrate unit operations involved in converting lignocellulosic biomass (fibrous plant matter) to liquid transportation fuels, chemical intermediates, or bioproducts. The range of unit operations likely to be investigated includes feed/biomass handling equipment and processes; conventional and alternative biomass pretreatment technologies; enzymatic hydrolysis of biomass structural carbohydrates; microbial-based conversion of sugars or other compounds to products, thermochemical conversion processes (e.g., pyrolysis and gasification), and separation processes (e.g., membrane, extractions, distillations, etc.). Duties/Responsibilities Develops plans and executes experimental work at the bench- and pilot-scale either individually or as part of a team exploring various biomass conversion unit operations. Reviews relevant past internal reports and public domain literature and proposes new conversion operating conditions or salient issues to investigate for new projects. Participates in design, installation, and operation of new biomass conversion and product upgrading technologies including work on piping and instrumentation drawings and equipment/systems operating procedures Participates in process risk assessments for new and existing equipment systems. Develops predictive models for flow processes and chemical/mechanical systems. Performs analysis of experimental data to achieve high quality results including use of advanced mathematical and statistical techniques and models to interpret experimental results. Documents work in detailed technical memos and reports, peer-reviewed publications, and presentations at scientific meetings and conferences. . Basic Qualifications Relevant PhD . Or, relevant Master's Degree and 3 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 5 or more years of experience . Demonstrates broad understanding and wide application of engineering technical procedures, principles, theories and concepts in the field. General knowledge of other related disciplines. Demonstrates leadership in one or more areas of team, task or project lead responsibilities. Demonstrated experience in management of projects. Very good writing, interpersonal and communication skills. . Additional Required Qualifications Knowledge/experience working with two or three biomass conversion unit operations as described above. Ability to design and execute experimental work including development and validation of computational models able to predict process performance Able to interpret, critically assess, and document experimental results including generating presentations and manuscripts for publications in technical journals/conference proceedings Proficient on Microsoft Windows software products. Strong verbal and writing abilities. Effective, adaptable learner and good communicator. Ability to function effectively in a team environment interacting with a diverse set of engineers, scientists, and technicians. Able to lead small research projects defining experimental objectives and deliverables and managing individual and team work efforts Experience with computational fluid dynamic models for predicting flow behavior. Promote a safe, supportive working environment and a culture of continuous improvement. Preferred Qualifications Strong experience with one or more biomass conversion unit operations. Demonstrated aptitude for and interest in research and development and producing peer-reviewed publications, as demonstrated through work experience and/or publications. Knowledge of project management and demonstrated ability to lead/manage smaller projects with limited oversight. Experience performing chemical analysis protocols, particularly those involving HPLC methods for measuring sugars and other soluble biomass deconstruction compounds or material characterization techniques including SEM, XRD, etc. Experience applying statistical experimental design and performing analysis of variance (ANOVA). Experience in equipment/systems design and construction including piping and instrumentation drawing development and generation of safe operating procedures. Comprehensive knowledge of computational fluid dynamic models and coupling these models with chemical kinetics. Expertise with relevant software tools and scientific computing/programming languages (such as Python, OpenFOAM, SolidWorks, etc.) and demonstrated versatility working with various tools and approaches. Expertise working with large datasets, leveraging high-performance computing resources, and performing data analysis and visualization. Ability to critically assess experimental results developing relevant conclusions and directions for future investigations. . Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week) Job Profile: Researcher III / Annual Salary Range: $75,500 - $135,900 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 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 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, 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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