Posting Title

Postdoctoral Researcher – Separations Engineering

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Location

CO - Golden

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Position Type

Postdoc (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

The RRES Center at NLR has an opening for a full time Postdoctoral Researcher within the Separations Science group. Our group is conducting research to enable realistic, 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.

This position focuses on the recovery of bio-based products through in-situ product recovery (ISPR). This position stems from our recent work and will continue to build from our learnings.

https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2025/gc/d5gc01813g

https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2018/gc/c7gc03747c

https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2019/gc/c9gc01844a

The successful candidate will evaluate adsorption resin-based ISPR, electrochemical pH-swing ISPR, and other methods to recover a bio-based carboxylic acid that will contribute to a project focused on integrated process development for bio-based polymers from cellulosic sugars.

The successful candidate will be able to:

•    Work safely and independently in a laboratory setting
•    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 and chemists.
 

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Basic Qualifications

Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Expertise and experience in designing, operating, and scaling novel separations processes
• Troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• Strong record of quality peer-reviewed publications
• Strong safety record and ability to follow complex standard operating procedures
   

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with electrochemical, resin, or crystallization separations

• Experience with ISPR

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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: $74,900 - $123,600

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