Posting Title
Researcher - Energy Storage Technology
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Location
CO - Golden
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Position Type
Limited Term (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 energy systems research and development.
Join the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NREL 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 NREL, 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.
Job Description
The candidate will contribute to develop energy storage technologies including thermal energy storage (TES) and hydrogen technologies integrating with concentrating solar power (CSP). Responsibilities under this position include leading research work on modeling, testing, reporting, and publications. Work includes:
Design and analyze solar receiver, TES, and test prototypes. Develop and perform laboratory testing on component prototypes with instrumentation and control implementations. Write technical reports and contribute to project review meetings. Publish research results in peer-reviewed conferences and high-impact scientific journals.
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Basic Qualifications

Relevant PhD . Or, relevant Master’s Degree and 3 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Bachelor’s Degree and 5 or more years of experience . Demonstrates broad understanding and wide application of engineering technical procedures, principles, theories and concepts in the field. General knowledge of other related disciplines. Demonstrates leadership in one or more areas of team, task or project lead responsibilities. Demonstrated experience in management of projects. Very good writing, interpersonal and communication skills.

• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:

• Ph.D. graduate in mechanical or chemical engineering, or relevant technical disciplines, with 3.0 or higher GPA.
• Familiar with thermal system and component modeling and testing.

Knowledge or classwork related to energy systems with design and computational model analysis using engineering software will be necessary. Demonstrated research capability and initiation in the following areas are helpful:

• Strong background on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and design software using ANSYS and SolidWorks. Experience on high performance computing is desirable.
• Knowledge on multiphase (gas-particle two phase system), thermal energy storage, and/or renewable hydrogen technologies.
• Familiar with application of machine learning and deep learning algorithms to fluid and thermal systems.
• Experience on thermal system performance and technoeconomic analysis.

Familiar with laboratory works, testing instrumentation, and software such as LabView for data acquisition and control.
Preferred Qualifications

The candidate will work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team, should possess excellent engineering analytical and experimental skills, and have strong interpersonal and communication abilities and independent-working attitude towards achieving research goals.

• Research focus on energy storage technology with solar energy, thermal energy storage, and hydrogen systems. The candidate should indicate demonstrated interest in energy storage and have strong modeling and experimental experiences on thermal systems and components.
• Problem solving skills by design, testing, modeling, and analysis using engineering software and tools for component and system development and laboratory prototype testing.
• Creativity, adaptability, motivation, independence, excellent oral and writing communication skills, and working well in a research team.
• Strong interpersonal abilities and team work aptitudes.

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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: Researcher III / Annual Salary Range: $81,500 - $146,700
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- 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

Badging Requirement
NREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation.
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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Equal Opportunity 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.
Reasonable Accommodations
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• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date