Researcher II – Engineering Electrochemical Conversion Devices

Posting Title

Researcher II – Engineering Electrochemical Conversion Devices

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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 Researcher II position is available in the Materials, Chemical, and Computational Sciences Directorate to support cell integration, capability development, and electrochemical testing research on electrochemical conversion devices. NREL is a leading institution for fuel cell and electrolyzer research and development with activities in materials research, electrochemical method and capability development, and manufacturing process development. You will be part of a team of scientists, engineers, postdoctoral researchers, and students. You will work in a collaborative team and interact with project partners at other national laboratories, universities, and industry.

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Basic Qualifications
Related Master’s Degree . Or, related Bachelor’s Degree and 2 or more years of experience.

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Additional Required Qualifications

• Working independently under the direction of NREL research staff
• Assembling and testing electrochemical conversion devices
• Perform electrochemical diagnostics including cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy, and polarization curves
• Determining products form the electrochemical conversion of molecules
• Maintaining and troubleshooting analytical instruments, test stands, and related equipment and tools
• Keeping accurate and detailed laboratory records
• Processing and analyzing data and reporting to team members
• Assisting technical staff with setting up and conducting experiments
• Turn scientific findings into efficient, functioning technology based on expert engineering knowledge and practical application abilities in their accredited field
• Investigate, study, analyze and develop cutting-edge principles, materials, and phenomena in their discipline or field of expertise
• Performing equipment validation and calibration activities to ensure that laboratory equipment is operating within standard performance guidelines
• Assist NREL researchers in designing, fabricating and installing specialty equipment related to fuel cell and electrolysis research
• Assisting NREL researchers in keeping laboratories organized in a safe and clean fashion
• Understanding all NREL safety policies relevant to operating equipment and performing work safely
• General knowledge and application of scientific technical standards, principles, theories, concepts and techniques. Training in team, task or project leadership responsibilities. Intermediate abilities and knowledge of practices and techniques. Beginning experience in project management. Good technical writing, interpersonal and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• BS degree plus 2+ years related experience or MS degree. Relevant experience or certification of comparable scope may be substituted for education
• Experience with operating electrochemical testing equipment and subsequent data processing and analysis. Examples include potentiostats/galvanostats,
  frequency response analyzers, fuel cell test stands, electrolysis test stands or relevant electrochemical conversion device technology.
• Basic understanding of laboratory electronics such as power supplies, multimeters, source meters, and electronic loads.
• Possesses general research laboratory skills, such as the ability to set-up and operate lab equipment and instrumentation, handle chemicals in a safe manner, and perform laboratory experiment record-keeping and data entry
• Good ability to work with computers and spreadsheet and word processing software such as Microsoft Excel™ and Word™
• Solid communication, interpersonal, project management and customer relations skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of basic flow, electrical, temperature, pressure, and humidity control devices, such as digital and analog mass flow controllers, thermocouples and heating tapes/pads, solenoid and other valves, pressure gauges and transducers, and PID controllers
• Experience in the development of new/novel electrochemical testing capabilities and/or platforms
• Experience in trouble shooting equipment for electrical issues such as interrupted supplied power or signal flow, and mechanical issues such as gas leaks.
• Experience working in a research and development environment
• Experience programming (in Matlab, Python, LabView, etc.) to automate data acquisition and processing, and control instruments
• Additional experience in mechanical design, the use of computer-aided design software (AutoCAD, Solid Works), and machining is a plus, but not required.

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Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)
Job Profile: Researcher II / Annual Salary Range: $69,400 – $114,500

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.

EEO is the Law Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Reasonable Accommodations

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