Postdoctoral Researcher – Thermomagnetic Generators for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion

Posting Title
Postdoctoral Researcher – Thermomagnetic Generators for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion

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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
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 ten 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

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is the nation’s primary laboratory for research, development, and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. The candidate will support research and development conducted at NREL and work with an enthusiastic team developing a novel technology based on thermomagnetic effect for ocean thermal energy conversion.

General Duties and Responsibilities:

The successful candidate should have a strong background in heat transfer, thermal design, modeling, and experimentation. Experience in multi-physics modeling using MATLAB, Python, ANSYS, and/or COMSOL is desired. Knowledge of thermomagnetic/magnetocaloric materials and components would be a strong plus. The candidate is expected to document work/results in technical reports and presentations.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform modeling and simulation on thermomagnetic generators to estimate its performance and optimize the design.
• Fabricate and experimentally characterize a miniature-scale thermomagnetic generator for low-grade thermal to electrical energy conversion.
• Assist in project management, including report writing, paper publications, and presentations in program review or conferences.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The researcher has the opportunity to get involved in multifaceted disciplines and in-depth tasks in mechanical, thermal, and ocean engineering. The candidate should demonstrate expertise in the areas of thermal science, energy conversion, finite difference/element modeling, and experimentation.

• Strong background in thermal science (i.e., thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer) theory, modeling, and experimental validation.
• Knowledge of caloric effects, materials, and components/systems.
• Experience in thermomagnetic devices and energy modeling using MATLAB, COMSOL or any other commercial code.
• Knowledge of programming for data analysis (i.e., MATLAB, Python)
• Demonstrated research capability and creativity to solve challenging problems, as well as the ability to work well in a team.

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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

• Candidate should have a strong aptitude to learn and explore the field needed for development, to be motivated and dedicated, and to deliver research results on time and on budget. Excellent interpersonal, communication, documentation skills, oral and writing proficiency in English.
• We would not expect a candidate holding all the skills listed above but able to illustrate the opportunity for learning, and with great professional growth potential. We are looking for a motivated, quick learning, and self-starting graduate to join the team.

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated experience in some or all the following:

• Thermal design, heat and mass transfer
• Finite element modeling
• Prototype fabrication and experiments

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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: $73,200 – $120,800

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

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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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, 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.

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