Researcher VI - Chemical Engineering

Posting Title

Researcher VI - Chemical Engineering

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Location

CO - Golden

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Position Type

Regular

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Hours Per Week

40

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Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination 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. At present, NREL requires all employees to be immunized against COVID-19. However, employees may seek an exemption from this requirement as an accommodation for religious or medical reasons. Upon hire, new employees must submit a request for accommodation or be prepared to provide proof of vaccination on your first day of employment.

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.

Job Description

The BioEnergy Science and Technology Directorate is searching for a senior scientist with expertise in carbon dioxide conversion, catalysis, direct air capture and process engineering.

A qualified candidate will have the ability to turn scientific findings into efficient, functioning technologies based on expert engineering knowledge and practical application abilities in their accredited field. The ability to investigate, study, analyze and develop cutting-edge principles, materials, and phenomena in their field of expertise and the ability to successfully attract and execute industrial partnerships will also be required.

Specific duties of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Managing NREL projects and leading a multi-lab BETO funded consortium in the area of carbon dioxide conversion to fuels, chemicals and materials. This includes setting strategic direction, relationship management with DOE and other national labs and ensuring project execution with respect to scope and budget.
• Leading an internally funded LDRD (laboratory directed research and development) program in the area of direct air capture and conversion. This will include setting strategic direction, ensuring project execution and developing a business development plan to ensure future funding from DOE and/or industrial sponsors.
• Teaming with NREL Centers to ensure effective resource (people, equipment and facilities) planning and allocation to accomplish CO2 conversion program objectives and deliverables
• Coordinating NREL’s response to Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) and Lab Calls (Lab RFPs) for which NREL is eligible to submit proposals in the area of CO2 conversion and direct air capture.
• Partnering with relevant centers, NREL Business Development leaders and LPMs to develop impactful industry partnerships that align with NREL priorities and leverage DOE’s investments at NREL and ensure market impact.
• Supporting demonstration, scale-up, and deployment of technologies developed within NREL’s CO2 conversion and direct air capture portfolio
• Providing fiscal responsibility for program financial matters, including disciplined management, execution, and monitoring of internal and subcontracted activities
• Communicating with Electrons to Molecules lead, BETO and FECM LPMs and other BEST leadership team to ensure alignment of program and LDRD strategy and objectives with NREL and BEST missions.
• Supporting NREL senior management, center directors and staff to ensure compliance with NREL health, safety, and environmental policies and procedures in order to maintain a safe work environment

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Basic Qualifications

Relevant PhD and 15 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Master's Degree and 18 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 20 or more years of experience . Exhibits an exceptional degree of ingenuity, creativity and resourcefulness. Apply and/or develop highly advanced technologies, engineering principles, theories and concepts. Viewed as an international expert within the field. Demonstrates leadership of complex technical projects. Project management competence. Demonstrated management of complex and/or high impact projects. Outstanding writing, interpersonal and communication skills.

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Additional Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability and proven track record of sponsor or customer satisfaction in managing one or more technical projects or programs with large annual operating budgets
• Proven ability to grow a program over a short period of time
• Deep specialized knowledge, expertise and experience managing a program related to direct air capture and CO2 conversion along with a broader understanding of general challenges related to carbon abatement
• An established positive reputation with DOE clients, past industrial experience and past experience leading DOE funded consortia or institutes.
• A relevant technical degree, PhD preferred, in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, biology, chemistry or a related applied scientific or engineering discipline
• Experience successfully developing, forming and leading one or more interdisciplinary project team(s) that included national laboratories, industry, and universities

Preferred Qualifications

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Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)

Annual Salary Range: $130,600 - $235,100

Offers 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 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.

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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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