Postdoctoral Researcher – Heterogeneous catalysis for biomass conversion and plastics recycling

Posting TitlePostdoctoral Researcher – Heterogeneous catalysis for biomass conversion and plastics recycling

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LocationCO - Golden

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Position TypePostdoc (Fixed Term)

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Hours Per Week40

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Working at NLRNLR 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.

Job Description

The RRES Center at NLR has an opening for a full time Postdoctoral Researcher within the Chemical Catalysis and Reaction Engineering group. Our group is conducting research to enable cost-effective processes for biomass and waste feedstock conversion and chemical recycling of waste plastics. The initial appointment is for one year, with possible renewal up to three years.

The successful candidate will work on projects focused on research and development of heterogeneous catalysts for conversion of multiple feedstocks, including bio-derived substrates and plastics into value-added target products. Key to this position is a fundamentally driven ability to design new heterogeneous catalysts and use spectroscopic characterization tools to be able to understand how they function. The ideal candidate will also have experience in flow chemistry. Interested candidates should read the following papers:

www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0926337324012669

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41570-025-00765-9

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41563-024-02024-6

The successful candidate will be able to:

•    Design, characterize, and evaluate heterogeneous catalysts using authentic bio- and waste-derived feedstocks
•    Work safely and independently in a laboratory setting
•    Learn new techniques and protocols
•    Plan and execute research in collaboration with other researchers
•    Communicate scientific results effectively, both in written and oral formats
•    Author peer-reviewed publications, and
•    Work effectively in a large, multidisciplinary team of engineers, biologists, and chemists.
 

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Basic QualificationsMust be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

•    Experience in heterogeneous catalysis design and characterization
•    Ability to conduct reactions in continuous flow reactors
•    Familiarity with mass transfer effects in reacting systems
•    Experience with heterogeneous catalysis characterization methods (e.g., TPD/TPR, XRD, BET, Raman spectroscopy)
•    Troubleshooting and problem-solving skills, and attention to detail
•    Ability to deliver high-quality results within aggressive timelines
•    Strong record of quality peer-reviewed publications
•    Strong safety record and ability to follow complex standard operating procedures
 

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with relevant analytical methods (e.g., HPLC, GC-MS, NMR spectroscopy)

• Experience with bio-derived or waste-derived authentic feedstocks

• Experience with continuous stirred tank reactors

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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: Postdoctoral Researcher / Annual Salary Range: $76,600 - $126,400

NLR 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 SummaryBenefits 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.

* Based on eligibility rules

Badging RequirementNLR 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

NLR 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 NLR, 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 NLR 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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