Posting Title

Graduate (Fall Semester) Intern – Chemical Looping

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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 NLR

NLR 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

NLR is seeking a graduate intern to contribute to research conducted by the Thermal Energy Science & Technologies Group within NLR’s Center for Energy Conversion and Storage Systems (ECaSS). This person will join a growing research team that includes expertise in high-temperature thermochemical processes, thermal energy storage, hybrid energy systems, industrial energy innovation, system modeling, technoeconomic analysis, and regulatory and market analysis.

The candidate will work on an NLR-led DOE-funded project that aims to develop and demonstrate a novel process for solar thermochemical fuel production. The candidate will have the opportunity for internal collaboration with researchers and engineers at NLR, as well as collaborating with external partners at academia and industry. The candidate will develop and use Python and/or MATLAB for various modeling and data analysis activities.

The candidate will conduct research work that includes:

• Supporting the design and commissioning of a pilot chemical reactor system for syngas production.
• Perform redox-active material synthesis and characterization.
• Performing chemical looping experimental work in NLR’s benchtop experimental setup.
• Support system modeling and technoeconomic analysis activities.
• Working in a collaborative coding environment (GitHub).
• Participate in regular project meetings.
• Writing technical reports and contributing to project review meetings.
• Publishing research results in peer-reviewed conferences and high-impact scientific journals.

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Basic Qualifications

Minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.

Undergraduate: Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a bachelor’s degree program from an accredited institution.
Post Undergraduate: Earned a bachelor’s degree within the past 12 months. Eligible for an internship period of up to one year.

Graduate: Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a master’s degree program from an accredited institution.
Post Graduate: Earned a master’s degree within the past 12 months. Eligible for an internship period of up to one year.
Graduate + PhD: Completed master’s degree and enrolled as PhD student from an accredited institution.

Please Note:
• Applicants are responsible for uploading 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.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

In addition, the successful candidate must have demonstrated ability/experience in the following areas:

• Expertise in thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, thermochemistry, and chemical looping.
• Knowledge/experience in one or more systems: solar thermal, thermal energy storage, chemical reactors.
• Programming in either MATLAB or Python.
• Demonstrate a capability to solve challenging research problems.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, writing and documentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in redox-active material synthesis methods: modified Pechini method

• Expertise in material characterization methods: TGA, XRD

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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: / Annual Salary Range: $44,500 - $71,200

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 Summary

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

* Based on eligibility rules

Badging Requirement

NLR 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. Intern assignments extending beyond six months will be subject to this requirement.

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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