Graduate Intern – Advanced Building Equipment Research Group

NLR; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 45,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

403(b) matching plan

Sick leave

Job summary

NLR's Advanced Building Equipment Research group in Golden, CO, invites a graduate intern to work on modeling and experimental heat and mass transfer related to HVAC systems and buildings. You will join a team performing cutting-edge laboratory and analytical work to evaluate heat and mass transfer components and systems, including desiccant systems.

Ideal candidates are current graduate students with strong academic and research records in heat transfer, thermodynamics, and mass transfer, with

Qualifications

• Must have strong background in heat and mass transfer
• Experience with HVAC/refrigeration concepts a plus
• Experience in numerical modeling and data analysis
• Familiarity with lab experiments and data acquisition systems
• Programming experience in MATLAB, EES, Python or similar tools
• Exposure to two-phase heat transfer (condensation) is a plus

Responsibilities

• Improve and utilize existing numerical models of heat and mass exchangers
• Design, develop, and analyze new HVAC processes and components
• Perform laboratory experiments on fluid/thermal components
• Publish papers in heat and mass transfer and energy journals

Skills

Heat transfer

Mass transfer

HVAC fundamentals

Numerical modeling

Programming

Desiccants

Lab experiments

MATLAB

Python

EES

SolidWorks

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Master's degree in mechanical engineering or related field

PhD candidate or enrollment

Tools

MATLAB

Python

EES

SolidWorks

Job description

Posting TitleGraduate Intern – Advanced Building Equipment Research Group.LocationCO - Golden.Position TypeIntern (Fixed Term).Hours Per Week40.Working at NLRNLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development.Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth.At NLR, you'll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being.Job DescriptionNLR's Advanced Building Equipment Research group has an immediate opening for a graduate intern position focusing on modeling and experimental heat and mass transfer applied to HVAC systems and buildings. The successful candidate will join team members on cutting-edge laboratory and analytical projects to research, develop, and evaluate heat and mass transfer components and systems, including conventional and non-conventional dehumidification and desiccant systems. The successful candidate should have a strong background and understanding of heat and mass transfer, including theory, numerical modeling, and experiments.Under the general direction of senior staff, the successful candidate will:• Improve and utilize existing numerical models of heat and mass exchangers• Design, develop, and analyze new HVAC processes and components.• Perform laboratory experiments on fluid/thermal components,• Publish papers in heat and mass transfer and energy journals..Basic QualificationsMinimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.Undergraduate: Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a bachelor’s degree program from an accredited institution.Post Undergraduate: Earned a bachelor’s degree within the past 12 months. Eligible for an internship period of up to one year.Graduate: Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a master’s degree program from an accredited institution.Post Graduate: Earned a master’s degree within the past 12 months. Eligible for an internship period of up to one year.Graduate + PhD: Completed master’s degree and enrolled as PhD student from an accredited institution.Please Note:• Applicants are responsible for uploading official or unofficial school transcripts, as part of the application process.• If selected for position, a letter of recommendation will be required as part of the hiring process.• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.Additional Required QualificationsCurrent graduate student with a strong academic and research record in relevant heat transfer, thermodynamics, and mass transfer field with emphasis on modeling and experimental research. Degree in mechanical engineering or relevant research in other engineering or science fields. Strong interpersonal communication skills (oral and written) and demonstrated ability to work independently.Demonstrated experience in some or all of the following:· Heat and mass transfer fundamentals· HVAC fundamentals or refrigeration cycles (vapor compression and non-vapor compression)· Numerical modeling techniques and computer programming· Familiarity with desiccants and absorption processes· Laboratory experiments and data acquisition systems· Experience programming in MATLAB (preferred), Engineering Equation Solver (EES), Python, or similar tools· (Optional but preferred) Familiarity with two-phase heat transfer phenomena (specifically condensation)· (Optional but preferred) Experience with CAD using SolidWorksPreferred Qualifications.Job Application Submission WindowThe anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)Job Profile: / Annual Salary Range: $44,500 - $71,200NLR 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 SummaryBenefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; and sick leave (where required by law). NLR 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. Internships projected to be less than 20 hours per week are not eligible for medical, dental, or vision benefits.* Based on eligibility rulesBadging RequirementNLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation. Intern assignments extending beyond six months will be subject to this requirement.Drug Free WorkplaceNLR 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 NLR, 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 GuidelinesPlease note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NLR 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..Equal Opportunity EmployerAll 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.Reasonable AccommodationsE -Verify www.dhs.gov/E-Verify For information about right to workE-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.