Postdoctoral Researcher – Separations science and engineering for biorefining

NREL; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 77,000 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Short-term disability

Pension benefits

403(b) Employee Savings Plan with-em

Life and AD&D insurance

PTO and sick leave

Paid holidays

Job summary

The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) invites applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Researcher in the Separations Science group in Golden, CO. The position focuses on developing and demonstrating innovative separation methods for lignin oil and pulping streams, including membranes and chromatography, to enable cost-effective biorefining technologies.

The initial appointment is one year with potential renewal up to three years.

Qualifications

• Recent PhD in a relevant field completed within the last three years.
• Experience designing, operating, and scaling novel separations processes.
• Strong record of peer‑reviewed publications.
• Ability to follow complex standard operating procedures and maintain safety.

Responsibilities

• Implement innovative separations methods including membranes and chromatography.
• Develop and demonstrate separations technologies for lignin oil and pulping streams.
• Advance solid-liquid separations and dynamic membrane filtration.
• Pursue recovery of pulping chemicals and integrate with process design.

Skills

Separation design

Troubleshooting

Publications

Safety culture

Education

PhD in related field

Tools

Aspen Plus

Python

Job description

Posting Title Postdoctoral Researcher – Separations science and engineering for biorefining . 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

The RRES Center at NLR has an opening for a full-time Postdoctoral Researcher within the Separations Science group. Our group is conducting research to enable cost-effective processes for biorefineries. The initial appointment is for one year, with possible renewal for up to three years. This position focuses on implementing innovative separations methods including advanced / designer membranes (e.g., OSN, OSRO) in dynamic filtration systems (to reduce fouling propensity) for lignin oil and water recovery from pulping streams. This position focuses on development and demonstration of innovative methods in lignocellulosic biorefining, including solid-liquid separations through dynamic membrane filtration, chromatography for separations of complex lignin-derived streams (simulated moving bed chromatography and counter-current chromatography), and recovery of pulping chemicals. We encourage candidates to see the following publications for some context: https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2024/gc/d4gc00765d https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2024/gc/d4gc04533e https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325006107 https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2024/gc/d4gc02772h

Basic Qualifications

• Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.
• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
• Expertise and experience in designing, operating, and scaling novel separations processes.
• Troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong record of quality peer‑reviewed publications.
• Strong safety record and ability to follow complex standard operating procedures.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with membrane materials and processes.
• Experience with chromatography and liquid‑liquid extraction.
• Experience with automated control systems.
• Familiarity with Aspen Plus software, Python, thermodynamics, and general chemical purification techniques.
• Familiarity with fundamentals in material characterization techniques, spectroscopy, thermal analysis techniques, and chemical and elemental analysis techniques.

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

Job Profile: Postdoctoral Researcher / Annual Salary Range: $76,600 - $126,400

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.

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 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.

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.

NLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. 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).