Biomass Catalysis Engineering Intern (Year‑Round)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 45,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

403(b) employer match

Sick leave

Relocation assistance

Job summary

National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) in Golden, CO, seeks an Undergraduate/Graduate Intern for year-round research support in chemical engineering and biomass conversion. Responsibilities include reactor operation, polymer synthesis, and analytical measurements under safety guidelines.

The role emphasizes hands-on wet chemistry, scale-up for pilot-scale ideas, and preparation for graduate school or a career in the chemical industries. Quad benefits listed.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a degree program or graduated within 12 months.
• Internship may be up to 12 months post-graduation.
• Minimum 3.0 GPA and full-time enrollment required.
• Strong hands-on wet chemistry and analytical experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Batch and flow reactor operation for algal pretreatment, conversion, chemical production and polymer synthesis.
• Develop renewable polyurethane materials for a broad range of applications.
• Benchtop wet chemistry including sample prep and derivatization.
• Operate and maintain analytical instruments (FTIR, NMR, TGA, DSC, GC-MS).
• Perform separations, including liquid-liquid and solid-liquid extractions.
• Support bioprocessing scale-up.

Skills

wet chemistry

catalytic conversion

process scale-up

polymer synthesis

analytical chemistry

Education

Bachelor's degree (current student)

Bachelor's degree completed within 12 months

Master's degree student

Master's degree completed within 12 months

PhD student

Tools

FTIR

NMR

TGA

DSC

GC-MS

Job description

National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) in Golden, CO, seeks an Undergraduate/Graduate Intern for year-round research support in chemical engineering and biomass conversion. Responsibilities include reactor operation, polymer synthesis, and analytical measurements under safety guidelines.

The role emphasizes hands-on wet chemistry, scale-up for pilot-scale ideas, and preparation for graduate school or a career in the chemical industries. Quad benefits listed.