Postdoctoral Researcher – Electrochemical Conversion Device Development

National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Colorado; On-site; USD 77,000 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Pension benefits

401(k) match

Life insurance

PTO & holidays

Job summary

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in electrochemical conversion device development. The project focuses on fabricating and testing CO2 electrolyzers and related devices to understand how electrode and device design influence product selectivity and efficiency.

You will design experiments, conduct in-situ electrochemical testing, and help scale concepts from small lab cells toward larger prototypes while collaborating

Qualifications

• Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.
• Experience in electrode synthesis for electrochemical conversion.
• Experience with electrochemical characterization (incl. EIS).
• Understanding of electrode morphology and processing impacts.

Responsibilities

• Fabricate electrodes and devices for chemical conversion.
• Design experiments and perform in-situ electrochemical testing.
• Interpret electrochemical performance data to guide improvements.
• Collaborate with a team to scale devices from small to larger areas.

Skills

Electrochemistry

Synthesis

Electrochemical testing

EIS

Electrode morphology

Publications

Materials science

Education

PhD in chemistry

PhD in chemical engineering

PhD in materials science

PhD in mechanical engineering

Tools

Microscopy

Scattering

Characterization equipment

Job description

Posting Title Postdoctoral Researcher – Electrochemical Conversion Device Development . Location CO - Golden . Position Type Postdoc (Fixed Term) . Hours Per Week 40 . Working at NLR NLR 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 Description

A Postdoctoral Researcher position is available in NLR’s Chemistry and Nanoscience Center to work on the fabrication and testing of electrochemical conversion devices with a focus on chemical production. Efforts will include evaluation of CO2 electrolyzers that perform gas-phase CO2 reduction at the cathode and alkaline water oxidation at the anode to investigate how device and electrode‑level modifications impact thermodynamic and kinetic levers that control product selectivity. While the primary application is CO2 conversion, the knowledge gleaned from this effort will be translatable to other electrochemical conversion processes like fuel cells, electrolyzers, separation processes, and other chemical production efforts. The candidate will be responsible for the fabrication of electrodes and devices used for chemical conversion, experimental design, in‑situ electrochemical testing, and the interpretation of electrochemical performance. Fundamental knowledge of electrochemistry is required. This candidate will work with a team of experts to scale up novel concepts from 5 and 25 cm2 to 400 cm2 devices, utilizing technoeconomic assessment to establish key performance metrics.

Basic Qualifications

• Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.
• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Experience in synthesis of electrode for electrochemical conversion processes.
• Electrochemical characterization of electrodes and cell properties through diagnostics such as limiting current and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
• An understanding of electrode morphology and impacts of processing and chemical nature on structure, performance and durability of electrodes used in electrochemical conversion devices.
• Experience with performance and durability testing of cells/stack.
• In general, candidates should have a demonstrated track record of success in addressing fundamental and applied science questions and devising solutions to challenging problems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in chemistry, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science & engineering.
• Record of publications/presentations in areas related to polymer electrolytes, electrolyzers, and/or fuel cells.
• Knowledge of supporting physical characterization techniques (microscopy, scattering etc.) is a plus.

Job Application Submission Window

The 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: Postdoctoral Researcher / Annual Salary Range: $76,600 - $126,400 NLR 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

• 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
• paid holidays
• Based on eligibility rules

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.

Badging Requirement

NLR 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.

Drug Free Workplace

NLR 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.

Equal Opportunity 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.

Reasonable Accommodations

E-Verify www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. 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.

Laboratory and Employment Information

The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for critical minerals, energy innovation, and energy security. With locations in Golden and Boulder, Colorado, Fairbanks, Alaska, and a satellite office in Washington, D.C., NLR bridges foundational research with practical applications to develop and bring to scale new energy materials and technologies that lower energy costs, drive economic growth, and deliver abundant and reliable energy.

All candidates must be authorized to access the facility per DOE rules and guidance within a reasonable time frame for the specified position in order to be considered for an interview and for hiring. DOE rules for site access during the interview process depend on whether the candidate is interviewed on‑site, off‑site, or via telephone or videoconference. 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. Additionally, DOE contractor employees are prohibited from participating in certain Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs (FGTRPs). If a candidate is currently participating in an FGTRP, they will be required to disclose their participation after receiving an offer of employment and may be required to disengage from participation in the FGTRP prior to commencing employment. Any offer of employment is conditional on the ability to obtain work authorization and to be granted access to NLR by the Department of Energy (DOE).