Researcher III - Water and Wastewater Treatment Analysis

National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Golden (CO); Remote; USD 81,000 - 147,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Researcher III to join their innovative team focused on water and wastewater treatment analysis. This role involves developing advanced process models and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to tackle critical energy, water, and food sector challenges. The ideal candidate will possess extensive Python programming skills, a strong background in mathematical modeling, and a passion for research that drives impactful solutions. Join a mission-driven organization that values collaboration and offers a unique work environment aimed at shaping a sustainable energy future.

Benefits

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

403(b) Employee Savings Plan

Tuition Reimbursement

Paid Holidays

Personal Time Off

Short- and Long-term Disability Insurance

Qualifications

• PhD or advanced degree with relevant experience required.
• Experience with data gathering and model development essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute process models for water treatment and solar technologies.
• Collaborate on data collection, analysis, and publication development.

Skills

Python Programming

Mathematical Modeling

Data Analysis

Optimization Methods

Communication Skills

Education

PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Master's Degree in Relevant Field

Bachelor's Degree in Relevant Field

Tools

Pyomo

IDAES

Job description

Researcher III - Water and Wastewater Treatment Analysis

Apply locations CO - Golden Remote time type Full time posted on Posted 6 Days Ago job requisition id R13542

Posting Title

Researcher III - Water and Wastewater Treatment Analysis

Location

CO - Golden

Position Type

Regular

Hours Per Week

40

Working at NREL

Join a team of world-class scientists, engineers, and visionaries dedicated to shaping the world’s energy future through cutting-edge research and innovation. From our vision to our NREL community, we are unique in the research community. We are focused on impact. From our work in basic sciences to systems engineering, analysis, demonstration, and deployment, we are focused on solving market-relevant problems that result in advanced, secure, reliable, and affordable energy systems. We are trusted clean energy leaders, developing cost-saving solutions that make U.S. industries more competitive, and support job creation and economic growth across rural and urban communities.

At NREL, we offer a unique, mission-driven work environment with cutting-edge facilities and multidisciplinary research teams. NREL's environment offers strong partnerships with industry, academia, and other national laboratories, as well as professional development opportunities and a competitive benefits package for employees.

Learn about NREL’s critical objectives: NREL's Mission and Vision.

Job Description

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL’s) Strategic Energy Analysis Center (SEAC; www.nrel.gov/analysis) is seeking a Researcher III to contribute to a growing portfolio of water and wastewater treatment analysis efforts. The researcher will join the Impacts Analysis Group, whose researchers perform objective, technology-neutral analysis at the nexus of the energy, water, and food sectors. In collaboration with researchers across SEAC, the Impacts Analysis group applies advanced modeling and data analysis techniques to increase understanding of energy policies, markets, resources, technologies, and infrastructure to address U.S. economic, security, and environmental priorities.

The Impacts Analysis group is seeking a researcher to develop and execute process models for water treatment and solar energy/thermal technologies, such as pre- and post-treatment technologies for brine management, zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) technologies, desalination technologies, photovoltaics, concentrating solar power, and/or energy storage systems. The researcher will collaborate with other analysts across the laboratory on data collection, analysis, and publication development. Extensive Python programming experience is required, with demonstrated application in developing rigorous steady-state process models, including submodels for physical properties, thermodynamics, and kinetics. Knowledge of water and wastewater treatment systems and technologies—including desalination, brine management, pre-treatment, and post-treatment processes—is also required.

The ideal candidate will have experience using various multi-disciplinary analysis and optimization methods, specifically applied to integrated water treatment and solar energy systems. Demonstrated experience with optimization under uncertainty and more general uncertainty analysis methods are strongly desirable. The candidate should have strong written communication skills; be highly focused and results oriented, with an ability to identify goals, set priorities, and resolve issues independently; be highly motivated and self-directed; and be eager to join a fast-paced, collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment.

Basic Qualifications

Relevant PhD. Or, relevant Master's Degree and 3 or more years of experience. Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 5 or more years of experience. Demonstrates broad understanding and wide application of engineering technical procedures, principles, theories, and concepts in the field. General knowledge of other related disciplines. Demonstrates leadership in one or more areas of team, task, or project lead responsibilities. Demonstrated experience in management of projects. Very good writing, interpersonal, and communication skills.
* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• A PhD in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, biological engineering, chemistry, or an equivalent field.
• Mathematical modeling skills including linear and integer programming, sensitivity analysis, and heuristics.
• Experience in data gathering for model development.
• A publication record in peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
• Demonstrated data processing and interpretation skills.
• Excellent writing, interpersonal, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with the Pyomo and IDAES modeling frameworks.
• Experience with dynamic system modeling.
• Knowledge of technoeconomic systems analysis.
• Knowledge of water energy nexus concepts and global developments.
• Understanding of the water processing industry trends and emerging technological concepts.
• Excellent presentation skills and ability to create compelling visualizations.
• Experience in development and validation of new technological components and systems.

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: Researcher III / Annual Salary Range: $81,500 - $146,700. 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- and long-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; and tuition reimbursement. 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. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.
* Based on eligibility rules

Badging Requirement

NREL 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

NREL 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 NREL, 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 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.

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About Us

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is a leader in the U.S. Department of Energy’s effort to secure an environmentally and economically sustainable energy future. With locations in Golden and Boulder, Colorado, and a satellite office in Washington, D.C., NREL is the primary laboratory for research, development, and deployment of renewable energy technologies in the United States.