Separations Engineering Intern – Year‑Round, On‑Site

National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Colorado; On-site; USD 40,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado is hiring a Post-Undergraduate Intern (Year-Round) in Separations Engineering for on-site work. The role supports the Bioenergy Science and Technology group with benchtop chemistry, purification, chromatography, and development of separation systems.

Ideal candidates are current full-time undergraduates or recent graduates with a strong lab background, safety mindset, and willingness to learn.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
• Undergraduate: Full-time enrollment in a bachelor’s degree program.
• Post Undergraduate: Bachelor’s degree within past 12 months.
• Graduate: Enrolled in a master’s degree program.
• Post Graduate: Master’s degree within past 12 months.
• Graduate + PhD: PhD student enrolled in program.

Responsibilities

• Benchtop wet chemistry and sample preparation.
• Chemical and/or protein purification.
• Multi-scale chromatography.
• Electrochemical separations.
• Assembly and modification of separation systems.
• Exposure to programming (e.g., Python or Rust) and automation of custom separation systems.

Skills

Laboratory experience

Attention to detail

Time management

Team collaboration

Safety procedures

Education

Bachelor’s degree in progress

Master’s degree student or higher

Tools

Aspen Plus

Job description

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado is hiring a Post-Undergraduate Intern (Year-Round) in Separations Engineering for on-site work. The role supports the Bioenergy Science and Technology group with benchtop chemistry, purification, chromatography, and development of separation systems.

Ideal candidates are current full-time undergraduates or recent graduates with a strong lab background, safety mindset, and willingness to learn.