Director’s Fellowship Postdoctoral Researcher

NREL • Golden, CO

3d

About The Position

NLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development. Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth. At NLR, you'll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being. The NLR Director's Fellowship attracts the next generation of exceptionally qualified scientists and engineers with outstanding talent and credentials in renewable energy research and related disciplines. Candidates are selected based on eligibility, program expectations, and research proposals. Overriding consideration, when evaluating the application, will be the quality of the candidate. Successful candidates will serve a two-year term, with a possible third-year renewal paid with program funding (maximum three-year appointments). The Director's Fellowship includes a premium salary rate, additional funding for conferences/presentations, competitive benefits package, and relocation assistance (for moves greater than 50 miles from NLR).

Requirements

• Cover page (please include: name, title of proposal and NLR mentor)
• Curriculum Vitae
• A letter of recommendation from your current supervisor or academic advisor
• Research proposal addressing the long-term engineering, scientific, or analysis needs which would support the laboratory's mission and goals: focus on the proposed research and identify an appropriate area within the laboratory to host the research; clearly state the research challenges; identify the scientific or technological questions that are associated with the challenge; define the strategy to address these questions; and define an approach. Please download and complete the proposal template for FY2026 and submit with you application to the Director’s Fellowship proposal template . Note you should develop this proposal with your mentor, see Research to find potential mentors. Please review eligibility requirements of mentors before selecting a mentor.
• NLR mentor's letter of intent to support the candidate Note please review the eligibility requirements for potential mentors.
• Names and contact information of two additional individuals from nationally known faculty or scientists in relevant disciplines who are knowledgeable about the candidate's capabilities and research
• Proof of PhD degree prior to assignment start date
• For current PhD students: All Ph.D. requirements completed prior to appointment and be at an early point in a promising career of world-class research and leadership in the appropriate discipline.
• For PhD graduates: Must have received your PhD in Applied Engineering, Fundamental Science, Engineering or Science Technology with substantial work in analysis within two years of the application deadline.
• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Nice To Haves

• Additional Required Qualifications
• Preferred Qualifications

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees