Posting Title
Postdoctoral Researcher – Recyclable polymer synthesis
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Location
CO - Golden
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Position Type
Postdoc (Fixed Term)
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Hours Per Week
40
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Working at NREL
Join the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NREL 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 NREL, 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.
Learn about NREL’s critical objectives: NREL's Mission and Vision .
Job Description
The successful candidate will work on a project to develop recyclable-by-design thermosets, either composites or elastomers. In particular, a successful candidate will be able to both synthesize composites or elastomers with recyclable linkages, test them for their thermomechanical performance, and ultimately demonstrate circularity at the end of material life. Candidates will collaborate with a large, multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional team for novel material development to identify and overcome major technical hurdles to advance commercialization.
The successful candidate will be able to:
• Work safely and independently in a laboratory setting
• Plan and execute research in collaboration with other researchers
• Synthesize and characterize polymer precursors and products.
• 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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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 polymer synthesis and characterization.
- In-depth experience with polymer characterization techniques (e.g. FTIR, NMR, TGA, DSC, DMA).
- Troubleshooting and problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to deliver high-quality results within aggressive timelines.
- Strong record of quality peer-reviewed publications.
- Strong safety record and ability to follow complex standard operating procedures.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in polymer development.
- Experience in composite and/or elastomer synthesis.
- Experience with covalently adaptable network or vitrimer synthesis.
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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: $74,900 - $123,600
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-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. 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.
* 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.
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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
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