Postdoctoral Researcher – Reaction Engineering for Biorefining

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Working at NLR

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.

This position focuses on reaction engineering for the fractionation of biomass into polysaccharide-rich pulps and lignin- and extractives-rich oils, with an aim to improve the atom economy of existing pulping infrastructure through new process technology development. This position will involve reaction engineering efforts to enable facile biomass fractionation processes, ideally in existing or retrofitted kraft pulping systems, and downstream fractionation of the solid and liquid products. Candidates will collaborate with a large, multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional team. The initial appointment is for one year, with possible renewal up to three years.

We encourage interested candidates to see the following papers:

https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2021/ee/d0ee02870c

https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2021/ee/d1ee01642c

https://www.cell.com/joule/fulltext/S2542-4351(22)00290-2

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c04089

https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2024/gc/d4gc04533e

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acssuschemeng.5c0419

The successful candidate will be able to:

• Work safely and independently in a laboratory setting
• Learn new techniques and protocols
• Plan and execute research in collaboration with other researchers
• Perform lignin oxidation catalysis, reaction engineering, and catalyst and process design
• 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

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Basic Qualifications

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in reaction engineering
• Understanding of transport phenomena in complex reactor systems
• Ability to design, build, and safely operate novel reactor systems
• Troubleshooting and problem-solving skills, and attention to detail
• 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 biomass conversion including lignin

• Expert in reaction engineering related to biorefining or processes containing complex solids

• Experience in lignin chemistry and catalytic depolymerization

• Downstream processing / separations experience

• Demonstrated in-depth experience with analytical measurement techniques (e.g. GC-MS)

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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)

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

* Based on eligibility rules

Badging 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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