Post-Undergraduate Intern (Year-Round) - Separations Engineering

National Laboratory of the Rockies • Golden, CO

21h • Onsite

About The Position

The Bioenergy Science and Technology (BEST) directorate within the National Renewable Energy Lab (NLR) performs a full range of research from exploring biomass at the molecular level through biorefinery process optimization to bring biofuels and bio-products to market. The directorate’s research encompasses multiple areas including biochemical processes, synthesis, processing, separations, analysis, and characterization. The Separations Science and Engineering Group focuses on developing and scaling separation technologies for a wide range of molecules, from bio-derived and chemically synthesized products, through to critical minerals including rare-earth elements from domestic waste feedstocks. Our goal is to improve process efficiency, selectivity, and techno-economic viability and our work is conducted in close collaboration with fermentation, catalysis, polymer synthesis, and techno-economic analysis teams. The group emphasizes translating fundamental separation science into practical, scalable solutions. This internship position is hiring for full-time work on-site with NLR’s Separations Science and Engineering group. The successful candidate will support research efforts by contributing to laboratory-based separation experiments and custom separation equipment development including: benchtop wet chemistry and sample preparation, chemical and/or protein purification, multi-scale chromatography, electrochemical separations, assembly and modification of separation systems, and exposure to programming (e.g., python or rust) and support automation of custom separation systems. The ability to conduct laboratory experiments with minimal supervision, with the utmost regard to safety is required. Adaptability and an aptitude for learning are critical in this role. This is an excellent opportunity for a student invested in the NLR mission who desires relevant laboratory experience in preparation for graduate school or a career in the chemical industry.

Requirements

• Minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.
• Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a bachelor’s degree program from an accredited institution OR have earned a bachelor’s degree within the past 12 months and be eligible for an internship period of up to one year.
• Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a master’s degree program from an accredited institution OR have earned a master’s degree within the past 12 months and be eligible for an internship period of up to one year.
• Completed master’s degree and enrolled as PhD student from an accredited institution.
• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
• Demonstrated general laboratory experience and exposure to analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, and/or biochemistry
• Attention to detail, a fast learner, and have excellent time management skills
• Work well with a variety of personality types with various levels of technical backgrounds
• Demonstrated experience following Standard Lab Safety Procedures and setting a safe example
• Be willing to take direction and work independently to support team goals

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with general separations techniques, TLC, flash chromatography, distillation, liquid-liquid extraction, analytical methods (GC and HPLC) and chemical synthesis techniques is desirable but not required.
• Any experience with modeling in Aspen plus or any programming language is also preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support research efforts by contributing to laboratory-based separation experiments
• Support custom separation equipment development including benchtop wet chemistry and sample preparation
• Support chemical and/or protein purification
• Support multi-scale chromatography
• Support electrochemical separations
• Support assembly and modification of separation systems
• Support automation of custom separation systems
• Conduct laboratory experiments with minimal supervision, with the utmost regard to safety

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match
• Sick leave (where required by law)
• Performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component (not guaranteed)
• Relocation expense reimbursement (some positions may be eligible)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern