Detalles del empleo
Posting Title
Postdoctoral Researcher - Separations science and engineering for biorefining.
Location
CO - Golden.
Position Type
Postdoc (Fixed Term).
Hours Per Week
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 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
- 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
- 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
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E
xperience with membrane materials and processes
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Experience with chromatography and liquid-liquid extraction
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Experience with automated control systems.
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Familiarity with Aspen Plus software, Python, thermodynamics, and general chemical purification techniques.
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Familiarity with fundamentals in material characterization techniques, spectroscopy, thermal analysis techniques, and chemical and elemental analysis techniques.
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Job Application Submission Window
Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)
Job Profile: Postdoctoral Researcher / Annual Salary Range: $76,600 - $126,400NLR 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. 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
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.
Submission Guidelines
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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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.
E**-Verify [www.dhs.gov/E-Verify**](http://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.
Salario y beneficios
Sobre este empleo
Sobre National Laboratory of the Rockies
Resumen de la Empresa
Laboratorio Nacional de las Rocosas, un laboratorio nacional del Departamento de Energía de EE. UU.
SedeGolden, CO, Estados Unidos
Fundación1977
TamañoAproximadamente 3,700 empleados incluyendo personal, investigadores postdoctorales, pasantes, profesionales visitantes y subcontratistas (fuente: wikipedia.org)
Qué Hacen
El Laboratorio Nacional de las Rocosas es una institución de investigación financiada federalmente que se enfoca en la investigación y desarrollo aplicado en energía a lo largo de todo el sistema energético, incluyendo generación, distribución y uso final (fuente: nlr.gov). Su trabajo abarca una amplia gama de tecnologías energéticas como solar, eólica, combustibles renovables, sistemas vehiculares, edificios, geotermia, ciencias energéticas, ciencias computacionales y análisis energético (fuente: nationallabs.org). El laboratorio también alberga centros especializados como el Centro Nacional de Fotovoltaica, el Centro Nacional de Bioenergía y el Centro Nacional de Tecnología Eólica, que apoyan la investigación e innovación focalizada en sus respectivos campos (fuente: wikipedia.org). Como laboratorio nacional del Departamento de Energía, opera bajo un contrato federal y sirve a socios del sector público e industrial desarrollando tecnología y reduciendo riesgos en sistemas energéticos emergentes (fuente: nlr.gov).
Proyectos y Trayectoria
El laboratorio cuenta con una rica historia de proyectos impactantes, incluyendo el desarrollo de SEA-Stack, una herramienta para el diseño y evaluación de tecnologías de energía undimotriz que ayuda a las empresas a evaluar rápidamente conceptos para reducir tiempo y costos en innovación de energía marina (fuente: nlr.gov). También apoya la plataforma de reciclaje por oxidación química del Consorcio BOTTLE, que busca habilitar el procesamiento escalable de residuos plásticos contaminados, mixtos y multicapa, abordando desafíos críticos en la gestión sostenible de materiales (fuente: nlr.gov). El Laboratorio Nacional de las Rocosas opera el Centro Nacional de Tecnología Eólica en Colorado, una instalación clave para el avance de tecnologías eólicas, y mantiene presencia en Washington, D.C. para apoyar políticas y la participación de interesados (fuente: nlr.gov). Estos proyectos demuestran el liderazgo del laboratorio en investigación de energías renovables y su compromiso con acelerar soluciones de energía limpia a nivel nacional.
Desarrollos Recientes
En diciembre de 2025, el Departamento de Energía renombró oficialmente el Laboratorio Nacional de Energía Renovable como Laboratorio Nacional de las Rocosas, reflejando su misión en evolución e identidad regional (fuente: nlr.gov). Durante 2025 y 2026, el laboratorio se mantuvo activo en investigación avanzada en energía, con anuncios que destacaron avances en tecnologías marinas y de energía undimotriz, innovaciones en reciclaje de plásticos e investigaciones relacionadas con materiales cuánticos (fuente: nlr.gov). Sin embargo, el laboratorio también enfrentó reducciones de personal, despidiendo a 134 empleados en febrero de 2026 tras recortes anteriores de al menos 114 empleados en mayo de 2025, reflejando ajustes organizacionales ante cambios en financiamiento y prioridades de programas (fuente: cpr.org).
Trabajar Allí
El Laboratorio Nacional de las Rocosas ofrece una amplia variedad de roles que abarcan investigación, ciencias computacionales y de software, operaciones de laboratorio, ingeniería, gestión de proyectos, comunicaciones y soporte administrativo, todo dentro de un entorno de I+D financiado federalmente (fuente: techjobsforgood.com). Los empleados disfrutan de cobertura médica, dental y visual integral, planes de ahorro para el retiro 403(b) con aportación del empleador, elegibilidad para pensión, cobertura por discapacidad, reembolso de matrícula y oportunidades de desarrollo profesional (fuente: nlr.gov). El campus en Golden, Colorado, ofrece recursos de bienestar en el lugar, incluyendo un centro de fitness, cafetería, cafetería, espacios para reuniones y senderos al aire libre, fomentando una cultura laboral colaborativa y flexible que apoya el desarrollo profesional temprano y el equilibrio entre vida laboral y personal (fuente: nlr.gov).