Materials Science-Thin Film and Manufacturing Sciences Group Manager

Posting Title

Materials Science-Thin Film and Manufacturing Sciences Group Manager

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Location

CO – Golden

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Position Type

Regular

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Hours Per Week

40

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COVID-19 Safety Protocols

Employment at NREL is contingent upon your compliance with all NREL and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) safety protocols and mitigation efforts directed at the COVID-19 pandemic.

Working at NREL
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation’s primary laboratory for research and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

From day one at NREL, you’ll connect with coworkers driven by the same mission to save the planet. By joining an organization that values a supportive, inclusive, and flexible work environment, you’ll have the opportunity to engage through our eight employee resource groups, numerous employee-driven clubs, and learning and professional development classes.

NREL supports inclusive, diverse, and unbiased hiring practices that promote creativity and innovation. By collaborating with organizations that focus on diverse talent pools, reaching out to underrepresented demographics, and providing an inclusive application and interview process, our Talent Acquisition team aims to hear all voices equally. We strive to attract a highly diverse workforce and create a culture where every employee feels welcomed and respected and they can be their authentic selves.

Our planet needs us! Learn about NREL’s critical objectives, and see how NREL is focused on saving the planet.

Note: Research suggests that potential job seekers may self-select out of opportunities if they don’t meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who is interested in this opportunity to apply. We seek dedicated people who believe they have the skills and ambition to succeed at NREL to apply for this role.

Job Description

A Group Manager position is available in NREL’s Materials Science Center to lead the Thin Film and Manufacturing Sciences Group. The group is involved with a wide range of materials science and film-deposition techniques for developing energy-related device applications such as photovoltaics, fuel cells, electrolyzers, and batteries.  These devices are then characterized for material and device-performance properties.

The successful candidate will provide dynamic leadership for the future.  NREL anticipates an increasing emphasis on advanced high-throughput manufacturing techniques to lower the cost of renewable energy deployment. The group manager will participate in and help grow this effort, working collaboratively across the laboratory and positioning NREL for continued success to advance its energy transformation goals.

The candidate will provide scientific and strategic leadership and mentoring to a research group consisting of scientists, engineers, technical staff and postdoctoral researchers and students.  Qualified candidates must demonstrate the ability to provide a high level of technical expertise and vision to build on and advance the Group’s reputation for leadership in film-deposition techniques, device fabrication, scale up, and advanced characterization and analysis for renewable energy technologies.  Strong interpersonal and communication skills are required for success in this role at NREL.

Key knowledge includes expertise in a range of film-deposition techniques including physical and chemical vapor deposition and ink or slurry-based deposition technologies such as spray, inkjet, gravure or slot-die coating including for roll-to-roll manufacturing.  It is expected that this experience will be leveraged to lead the group and contribute to programs in photovoltaics, battery materials, membranes, fuel cells, and electrolysis especially with respect to advanced manufacturing techniques. Strengths are required in interpreting and assessing the experimental results and connecting materials growth and deposition, characterization, and device performance and reliability.

Candidates must demonstrate a track record of successful independent research, project management and strategic planning experience and will be responsible for advancing and maintaining a safe and secure work environment.  Successful applicants will demonstrate the ability to recruit and retain outstanding talent, support a diverse workforce, provide strategic direction for business development, and oversee proposal activity for a large range of sponsors, particularly the Department of Energy/EERE but also industry and university partners. 

The successful candidate will work closely with the Materials Science Center and Materials and Chemical Sciences Directorate leadership to identify and develop new capabilities and steward existing infrastructure.  The group manager will be responsible for continuing and advancing the Thin Films and Manufacturing Sciences group as a key contributor to the broader NREL S&T strategy through strategic interactions throughout the Directorate and with other Directorates at NREL.

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Basic Qualifications
This position may be hired as a Level III or Level II.
Group Research Manager III
Bachelor’s Degree in Materials Science, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or other related discipline and 14 years experience; Or, Master’s Degree in Materials Science, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or other related discipline and 12 years experience; Or, PhD in Materials Science, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or related discipline and 9 years experience. Previous management, budget development and/or significant leadership of a large portfolio of impacts analysis and complex research projects involving multi-disciplinary, cross-organizational teams.
Group Research Manager II
Bachelor’s Degree in Materials Science, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or related discipline and 9 years experience; Or Master’s Degree in Materials Science, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or related discipline and 7 years experience; Or, PhD in Materials Science, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or related discipline and 4 years experience. Previous management, budget development and/or significant leadership of a large portfolio of impacts analysis and complex research projects involving multi-disciplinary, cross-organizational teams.

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Additional Required Qualifications

Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and direct personnel with diverse skills, work styles and values, both directly and through subordinate management. 

Extensive scientific technical expertise and full knowledge of other related disciplines. Considered a technical resource. Demonstrates leadership in several areas of team, task or project lead responsibilities. Demonstrated experience in management of projects. Excellent technical writing, interpersonal and communication skills.

Awareness of relevant legal and ethical management issues and practices in the workplace.

Ability to collaborate with individuals at all levels of the organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous leadership, budget development and/or management experience in a principal investigator or small group leadership role.

• Knowledge of the principles underlying electronic, thermal, and structural properties of materials. 

• Demonstrated ability to mentor staff, postdoctoral scientists, and students. 

• Demonstrated ability to advance energy technologies and collaborate with industry and other partners.

• Strong record of publications/presentations in areas relevant to NREL projects.

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Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)
Job Profile: Group Research Manager III / Annual Salary Range: $130,600 – $235,100

Job Profile: Group Research Manager II / Annual Salary Range: $108,600 – $195,500

NREL takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, as well as the position’s work location, 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*- and long-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; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement*. 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. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.

* Based on eligibility rules

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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EEO Policy

NREL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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, 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.

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