Post Undergraduate (Year-Round) Intern – Polymers, Chemical Engineering, and Biomass Conversion

Full Job Description

Posting Title Post Undergraduate (Year-Round) Intern – Polymers, Chemical Engineering, and Biomass Conversion

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Location CO - Golden

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Position Type Intern (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 research and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

From day one at NREL, you’ll connect with coworkers driven by the same mission to save the planet. By joining an organization that values a supportive, inclusive, and flexible work environment, you’ll have the opportunity to engage through our ten employee resource groups, numerous employee-driven clubs, and learning and professional development classes.

NREL supports inclusive, diverse, and unbiased hiring practices that promote creativity and innovation. By collaborating with organizations that focus on diverse talent pools, reaching out to underrepresented demographics, and providing an inclusive application and interview process, our Talent Acquisition team aims to hear all voices equally. We strive to attract a highly diverse workforce and create a culture where every employee feels welcomed and respected and they can be their authentic selves.

Our planet needs us! Learn about NREL’s critical objectives, and see how NREL is focused on saving the planet.

Job Description

The Bioenergy Science and Technology (BEST) directorate within the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) 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 analysis & characterization, biochemical processes, bioenergetics, and thermochemical processes.

Our research group is focused on developing biofuels and value-added polymers from algal biomass. Our team brings together a wide range of technical expertise and global experience unified by a passionate drive to increase the technoeconomic feasibility and global adoption of biorefineries. Interdisciplinary collaboration and a relentless pursuit of advancing understanding at the intersection of fundamental science and industrial application is paramount to every member of our team.

The BEST Directorate is seeking a full-time post-undergraduate year-round intern to provide researchers within our group the support necessary to achieve their cutting-edge research safely. The successful candidate will perform hands-on tasks and experimentation in a laboratory setting including the following:

• Batch and flow reactor operation for algae pretreatment, conversion, and polymer synthesis
• Develop renewable polyurethane materials for a broad range of applications. 
• Benchtop wet chemistry, including sample preparation and derivatization,
• Operation and maintenance of analytical instrumentation, (e.g. FTIR, NMR, TGA, DSC, GC-MS, etc.)
• Separations, including solid-liquid separations and solid-liquid extractions.

This role requires the ability to conduct laboratory experiments and follow written procedures, with minimal supervision and with the utmost regard to safety. Self-motivation, adaptability, and an aptitude for learning are critical for this role.

This is an excellent opportunity for a student invested in the NREL mission who desires relevant laboratory experience in preparation for graduate school or a career in the biofuels or chemical industries.

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Basic Qualifications Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a Bachelor's, Master's or PhD degree program, or graduated in the past 12 months from an accredited institution. Candidates who have earned a degree may work for a period not to exceed 12 months. Must have a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.

Please Note:
•You will need to upload official or unofficial school transcripts as part of the application process.
•If selected for position, a letter of recommendation will be required as part of the hiring process.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

Degree in Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

Hands on experience in wet chemistry, polymer synthesis and characterization, catalytic conversion, experience on advanced analytic chemistry (FTIR, NMR, GC-MS, etc).

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Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week) Job Profile: Undergraduate II / Annual Salary Range: $33,200 - $53,100

Benefits Summary Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; and sick leave (where required by law). 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. Internships projected to be less than 20 hours per week are not eligible for medical, dental, or vision benefits.

* Based on eligibility rules

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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EEO Policy

NREL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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.

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