Posting Title

Post-Undergraduate/Graduate Intern – Biomass Upcycling for Building Materials Development

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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

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 Building Thermal Energy Science group of the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is seeking an intern to support research and development for bio-based, building materials and their relation to waste products. We are developing and synthesizing these materials and determining mechanical properties and methods for manufacture. The candidate will contribute to new research in lignin-based building materials that are an effective alternative to cement/concrete and wood products.

The intern will get the opportunity to be involved in detailed experimental research and linking knowledge to several other aspects of systems engineering. Moreover, the candidate will be able to learn different techniques and measurement equipment utilized for thermal, mass transfer, mechanical, and chemical measurements.

Job duties include but may not be limited to:

• Performing chemical modifications and characterization of lignin to form high-strength materials
• Characterizing chemical and thermal properties of materials using tools like nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)
• Characterizing mechanical properties of materials using tools like dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), tensile testing, 3-point bending testing, freeze-thaw testing, accelerated UV/heat/moisture aging tests, and compression strength testing
• Scaling up synthesis and troubleshoot manufacturing issues
• Assisting in project management, including writing reports, journal articles, and presentations for program review or conferences

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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

• Must have completed a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, chemistry, or related fields (candidates may also be enrolled in or recently graduated from a master’s program, or enrolled in a PhD program in these fields)
• Demonstrated experience conducting mechanical characterizations of polymers
• Demonstrated knowledge or experience with polymer synthesis
• Demonstrated knowledge or experience in heat and mass transfer
• Must be able to work onsite a