Postdoctoral Researcher - Polymer Science

NREL • Golden, CO

11d

About The Position

A postdoctoral researcher role is available in NLR’s RRES Center. The successful candidate will work on a project to develop performance-advantaged bioproducts that exhibit advantaged performance attributes in manufacturability, in-life performance, and / or end-of-life options. In particular, this position will focus on working with a computational materials design team screening and developing biobased monomers, synthesizing samples, optimizing formulations, and characterizing properties. Candidates will collaborate with a large, multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional team for novel material development to identify and overcome major technical hurdles to advance commercialization. The successful candidate will be able to: Work safely and independently in a laboratory setting Plan and execute research in collaboration with other researchers Synthesize and characterize polymer precursors and products Communicate scientific results effectively, both in written and oral formats Author peer-reviewed publications, and Work effectively in a large, multidisciplinary team of engineers and chemists.

Requirements

• Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.
• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
• Experience in polymer synthesis and characterization.
• In-depth experience with polymer characterization techniques (e.g. FTIR, NMR, TGA, DSC, DMA).
• Troubleshooting and problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong record of quality peer-reviewed publications.
• Strong safety record and ability to follow complex standard operating procedures.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in bio-based polymer development.
• Experience in organic synthesis for monomer production.
• Teamworking skills, a collaborative spirit and curiosity.

Responsibilities

• Work safely and independently in a laboratory setting
• Plan and execute research in collaboration with other researchers
• Synthesize and characterize polymer precursors and products
• Communicate scientific results effectively, both in written and oral formats
• Author peer-reviewed publications
• Work effectively in a large, multidisciplinary team of engineers and chemists

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