Descrição da função
Posting Title
Postdoctoral Researcher - Acoustics of Industrial Equipment in the Energy Sector (Cooling Systems, Fuel Cells, Distributed Wind Turbines).
Location
CO - Boulder.
Position Type
Postdoc (Fixed Term).
Hours Per Week
Job Description
The Flatirons Campus of the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is seeking a qualified candidate to help execute projects on the acoustic emissions of industrial equipment in the energy sector, including cooling systems, fuel cells, and distributed wind turbines. This is a postdoctoral position combining experimental and numerical work.
Experimental activities consist of deploying an existing array of microphones covering the audible and low-frequency ranges at various distances and radial distributions. The first field deployments will happen on site; later deployments may require travel. Once data is collected, the candidate is expected to post-process and analyze it, draw takeaways, and inform future campaigns. Numerical work consists of implementing existing emission and propagation models and developing next-generation ones. The candidate will focus on validating these models against measurements and on investigating and proposing design changes toward quieter energy systems.
The postdoc will work with a wide variety of customers, including the U.S. Department of Energy Integrated Energy Systems Office, the Alternative Fuels and Feedstocks Office, and the Office of Policy. Over time, the postdoc will also collaborate with other national laboratories, industry and academic partners, and the international community to execute projects and promote the energy industry. The postdoc is expected to demonstrate a broad understanding of engineering principles and general knowledge of energy-related disciplines, applications, and challenges.
The postdoc will be expected to publish research results in technical journals/conference proceedings and present work at conferences, symposia, and review meetings. They will also be expected to support project proposal preparation and reviews.
The period of performance is anticipated to be one-year with the opportunity to extend for up to three years.
.
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
- Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in a relevant field prior to beginning assignment.
- Strong coding skills, preferably in Python, proficiency in data analysis using open-source software, and familiarity with agentic AI tools.
- Published research in acoustics, aeroacoustics, mechanical, aerospace, statistics, data science, or similar.
- Excellent writing, interpersonal, and communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with numerical and experimental acoustics
- Proficiency in open-source software, preferably Python
- Familiarity with agentic AI tools
- Research background in the energy sector
- Hands-on experience with field acoustic measurements and microphone arrays, including low-frequency or infrasound.
- Signal processing of acoustic data (spectral analysis, background noise correction.
- Familiarity with relevant standards, such as IEC 61400-11 and ISO 9613-2
- Familiarity with airfoil noise source models: Brooks, Pope, and Marcolini (BPM) and Amiet
- Familiarity with fan and turbomachinery noise models
- Demonstrated ability to organize and clearly present complex concepts and results.
.
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.
.
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.
Salário e benefícios
Sobre esta vaga
Sobre National Laboratory of the Rockies
Visão Geral da Empresa
Laboratório Nacional das Montanhas Rochosas, um laboratório nacional do Departamento de Energia dos EUA
SedeGolden, CO, Estados Unidos
Fundação1977
DimensãoAproximadamente 3.700 colaboradores, incluindo funcionários, pesquisadores de pós-doutorado, estagiários, profissionais visitantes e subcontratados (fonte: wikipedia.org)
O Que Fazem
O Laboratório Nacional das Montanhas Rochosas é uma instituição de pesquisa financiada federalmente, focada em pesquisa e desenvolvimento aplicados à energia em todo o sistema energético, incluindo geração, distribuição e uso final (fonte: nlr.gov). Seu trabalho abrange uma ampla variedade de tecnologias energéticas, como solar, eólica, combustíveis renováveis, sistemas veiculares, edificações, geotermia, ciências energéticas, ciências computacionais e análise energética (fonte: nationallabs.org). O laboratório também abriga centros especializados, incluindo o Centro Nacional de Fotovoltaicos, o Centro Nacional de Bioenergia e o Centro Nacional de Tecnologia Eólica, que apoiam pesquisas e inovações focadas em suas respectivas áreas (fonte: wikipedia.org). Como um laboratório nacional do Departamento de Energia, opera sob contrato federal e atende parceiros do setor público e da indústria, desenvolvendo tecnologia e reduzindo riscos em sistemas energéticos emergentes (fonte: nlr.gov).
Projetos e Histórico
O laboratório possui uma rica trajetória de projetos impactantes, incluindo o desenvolvimento do SEA-Stack, uma ferramenta para triagem e design de tecnologia de energia das ondas que ajuda empresas a avaliar rapidamente conceitos, reduzindo tempo e custos na inovação em energia marinha (fonte: nlr.gov). Também apoia a plataforma de reciclagem por oxidação química do Consórcio BOTTLE, que visa viabilizar o processamento em escala de resíduos plásticos contaminados, mistos e multicamadas, enfrentando desafios críticos na gestão sustentável de materiais (fonte: nlr.gov). O Laboratório Nacional das Montanhas Rochosas opera o Centro Nacional de Tecnologia Eólica no Colorado, uma instalação chave para o avanço das tecnologias de energia eólica, e mantém presença em Washington, D.C., para apoiar políticas e engajamento com stakeholders (fonte: nlr.gov). Esses projetos demonstram a liderança do laboratório em pesquisa de energia renovável e seu compromisso em acelerar soluções limpas de energia em todo o país.
Desenvolvimentos Recentes
Em dezembro de 2025, o Departamento de Energia renomeou oficialmente o Laboratório Nacional de Energia Renovável para Laboratório Nacional das Montanhas Rochosas, refletindo sua missão em evolução e identidade regional (fonte: nlr.gov). Ao longo de 2025 e 2026, o laboratório manteve-se ativo em pesquisas avançadas de energia, com anúncios destacando avanços em tecnologias de energia marinha e das ondas, inovações em reciclagem de plástico e pesquisas relacionadas a materiais quânticos (fonte: nlr.gov). Contudo, o laboratório também passou por reduções de pessoal, demitindo 134 funcionários em fevereiro de 2026 após cortes anteriores de pelo menos 114 colaboradores em maio de 2025, refletindo ajustes organizacionais diante de mudanças no financiamento e prioridades dos programas (fonte: cpr.org).
Trabalhar Lá
O Laboratório Nacional das Montanhas Rochosas oferece uma variedade diversificada de funções que abrangem pesquisa, ciência de software e computacional, operações laboratoriais, engenharia, gestão de projetos, comunicação e suporte administrativo, tudo dentro de um ambiente de P&D financiado federalmente (fonte: techjobsforgood.com). Os colaboradores contam com cobertura médica, odontológica e oftalmológica abrangente, planos de poupança para aposentadoria 403(b) com contrapartida do empregador, elegibilidade para pensão, cobertura por invalidez, reembolso de mensalidades e oportunidades de desenvolvimento profissional (fonte: nlr.gov). O campus em Golden, Colorado, oferece recursos de bem-estar no local, incluindo centro de fitness, cafeteria, cafeteria, espaços para reuniões e trilhas ao ar livre, promovendo uma cultura de trabalho colaborativa e flexível que apoia o desenvolvimento de carreira inicial e o equilíbrio entre vida pessoal e profissional (fonte: nlr.gov).