Posting Title
Research Process Engineer III-V Materials and Device
Location
CO - Golden
Position Type
Limited Term (Fixed Term)
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.
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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 High Efficiency Crystalline Photovoltaics Group within the Materials, Chemical, and Computational Sciences Directorate has an opening for a research process engineer to operate and maintain a new Dynamic Hydride Vapor Phase Epitaxy deposition tool to grow low-cost, high-efficiency solar cells based on III-V materials (GaAs).
This position will develop III-V materials and devices, including solar cells, using novel epitaxial growth equipment. Primary duties involve the development of state-of-the-art III-V (GaAs and related alloys) materials and devices, including solar cells. The work will involve developing growth capabilities using a first-of-its-kind hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) reactor; understanding the impact of the deposition equipment on the growth of high-quality III-V materials and interfaces; tracking and assessing material and device performance over time; designing and implementing improvements to the deposition process; and producing process understanding. The work will lead to significant additions to the knowledge base of materials and device science and to the dissemination of that work through journal publications.
Basic Qualifications
This position may be filled at Level III or Level II
For Level III
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 complete understanding and wide application of scientific 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 technical writing, interpersonal and communication skills.
For Level II
Relevant Master's Degree . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 2 or more years of experience
Position typically requires a skilled professional who applies, on a broad basis, existing theories, principles, and concepts, and is fully competent in all conventional applications of knowledge common to the specific discipline and function of work assigned. Resolves a wide range of issues in creative ways. May contribute to the production of materials for technical products, reports, documents, presentations, and concept papers, and has the ability to present findings at national technical meetings
* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
Additional Required Qualifications
Experience in the design, operation, and maintenance of complex equipment. Qualified candidates must demonstrate skill in interpreting and assessing the experimental results of their own work and that of others and demonstrate a record of success from graduate and/or post-graduate work in this area. Good interpersonal, oral and written communication skills are essential for success in this role. Teamwork and collaboration define the modern scientific approach, and this position will be expected to collaborate, be open to new ideas, and recognize the contribution of others. Inclusion and diversity are core values, and the Researcher will be expected to support a work environment that maximizes the unique talents and innovative ideas of every employee.
Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated skills and experience in the growth, characterization, and/or processing of III-V materials and devices.
• Experience in characterizing semiconductor materials and devices using, for example, x-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, luminescence techniques, or device-specific characterization.
• Experience in computational fluid dynamic modeling of reactor systems.
• All candidates will be considered whether or not they meet all preferred qualifications.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)
Job Profile: Researcher III / Annual Salary Range: $77,600 - $139,700
Job Profile: Researcher II / Annual Salary Range: $71,300 - $117,600
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
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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