Postdoctoral Researcher – Separations Engineering
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CO - Golden
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Postdoc (Fixed Term)
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40
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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.
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 realistic, cost-effective processes for biomass and waste feedstock conversion and chemical recycling of waste plastics. The initial appointment is for one year, with possible renewal up to three years.
This position focuses on the recovery of bio-based products through in-situ product recovery (ISPR). This position stems from our recent work and will continue to build from our learnings.
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2025/gc/d5gc01813g
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2018/gc/c7gc03747c
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2019/gc/c9gc01844a
The successful candidate will evaluate adsorption resin-based ISPR, electrochemical pH-swing ISPR, and other methods to recover a bio-based carboxylic acid that will contribute to a project focused on integrated process development for bio-based polymers from cellulosic sugars.
The successful candidate will be able to:
- Work safely and independently in a laboratory setting
- Plan and execute research in collaboration with other researchers
- Communicate scientific results effectively, both in written and oral formats
- Author peer-reviewed publications, and
- Work effectively in a large, multidisciplinary team of engineers and chemists.
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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
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- Familiarity with electrochemical, resin, or crystallization separations
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The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.
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 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. 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.
* Based on eligibility rules
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.
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.
Please 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.
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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
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