Postdoctoral Researcher - Biorefinery Analysis

Golden, CO, United States

Posting Title Postdoctoral Researcher - Biorefinery Analysis . Location CO - Golden . Position Type Postdoc (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 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 The Catalytic Carbon Transformation and Scale-Up Center at NREL has an opening for a full time Postdoctoral Researcher within the Economic, Sustainability, and Market Analysis (ESMA) group. The initial appointment is for one year, with possible renewal up to three years. The ESMA team is supporting research aimed at quantifying the economic potential for biomass/biorefinery conversion technologies, as well as understanding opportunities and risks for scaling such technologies up to commercial implementation. This position will entail process modeling, techno-economic analysis (TEA), and life-cycle assessment (LCA), spanning a number of potential focus areas that may include biochemical conversion technologies (e.g. biomass deconstruction and fermentation to fuels or products), catalysis technologies (e.g. upgrading of fermentation intermediates to finished fuel products), algae technologies (e.g. algal biomass cultivation and conversion), carbon capture and utilization, integration/optimization analysis of bio-derived intermediates with existing refinery infrastructures, and strategic support including policy, market, and risk analysis. Working with a dynamic, analytical, and modeling team will be a critical component of this position, and analysis will be expected to guide experimental research efforts. The successful candidate will be able to: Assimilate a wide variety of information and data into engineering assessments.

Envision, develop, and optimize process flow diagrams reflecting integrated process operations.

Communicate analysis results effectively, both written and oral

Author peer-reviewed publications and compile literature reviews

. Basic Qualifications Must be a recent, PhD graduate within the last three years in chemical engineering, bioengineering or other related field. Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications Demonstrated experience in process modeling with tools such as Aspen Plus and Aspen Custom Modeler

Research/analysis experience with an emphasis on biochemical conversion, bio-jet, and/or CO2 upgrading process development.

Demonstrated experience in process modeling with tools such as Aspen Plus

Demonstrated experience in life-cycle assessment with tools such as SimaPro/GREET

Demonstrated experience with data acquisition, management and analysis.

Expertise in refinery/petrochemical operations and analysis through linear programming (LP) tools is a plus.

Knowledge of technology risk assessment, risks and uncertainties associated with technology scale-up, and pioneer versus “ nth -plant” operations/economics.

PhD degree in chemical engineering or related field

Preferred Qualifications . Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week) Job Profile: Postdoctoral Researcher / 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-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. . 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 E-Verify www.dhs.gov/E-Verify For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish. E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce.

#J-18808-Ljbffr