Posting Title

　　Postdoctoral Researcher – Fermentation and Bioprocess Development

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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 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.

　　Note: Research suggests that potential job seekers may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who is interested in this opportunity to apply. We seek dedicated people who believe they have the skills and ambition to succeed at NREL to apply for this role.

　　Job Description

　　The Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center at NREL has an opening for a full time Postdoctoral Researcher within the Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing Sciences Group. The initial appointment is for one year, with possible renewal up to three years.

　　The successful candidate will work to conduct bioprocess development in bioreactors in a large multi-laboratory team for the production of renewable fuels and chemicals from biomass-derived sugars and lignin. Potential projects include work within the Agile BioFoundry and/or the Biological Valorization of Lignin. The specific role will require aerobic and anaerobic cultivations with various bacterial strains from 1 mL to 150-L scales, integrated with systems biology studies, to improve titer, rate, yield, and other relevant bioprocess parameters. Certain experimental campaigns will be designed in close collaboration with molecular biologists and computational biologists to maximize to the useful output from each bioreactor cultivation campaign.

　　The successful candidate will have the ability to conduct laboratory experiments with minimal supervision and with the utmost regard to safety, as well as the ability to learn new techniques and protocols.

　　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, multi-institutional team of engineers, chemists, and biologists

　　Please DO NOT attach copies of manuscripts, certificates, or presentation slides in your application. Please only include your resume and a cover letter.

　　BEST Directorate

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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

　　Research experience in microbiology and bioreactor cultivations including batch, fed-batch, and continuous operation modes

　　Experience with non-model bacterial cultivations

　　Takes initiative to set direction and goals for assigned tasks

　　A skilled researcher who applies, on a broad basis, existing theories, principles, and concepts, and is fully competent in all conventional applications of knowledge common to microbiology, fermentation and function of work assigned

　　Troubleshooting and problem-solving skills

　　Ability to deliver high-quality results within aggressive timelines

　　Strong record of quality peer-reviewed publications

　　Strong safety record

　　Demonstrated ability to follow complex standard operating procedures with attention to detail

　　Preferred Qualifications

　　Experience with multi-omics sample collection and data analysis

　　Experience working with metabolic engineers to design, build, and test strain performance

　　Analytical chemistry experience with HPLC, GC-FID, GC-MS, and/or LC-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)

　　Job Profile: Postdoctoral Researcher / Annual Salary Range: $73,200 - $120,800

　　NREL 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; short-term disability insurance; pension benefits; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; and paid holidays. 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.

　　* 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.

　　EEO is the Law (http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/ofccpost.htm) | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination (https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp_English_unformattedESQA508c.pdf) | Reasonable Accommodations (http://www.nrel.gov/careers/employment-policies.html)

　　E -Verify www.dhs.gov/E-Verify For information about right to work, click here (http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/crt/legacy/2013/08/13/FinalOSCPosterEN08_01_2013.pdf) for English or here (http://www.justice.gov/crt/file/813271/download) for Spanish.

　　E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce.

　　The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is a leader in the U.S. Department of Energy’s effort to secure an environmentally and economically sustainable energy future. With locations in Golden and Boulder, Colorado, and a satellite office in Washington, D.C., NREL is the primary laboratory for research, development, and deployment of renewable energy technologies in the United States.

　　NREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All candidates must be authorized to access the facility per DOE rules and guidance within a reasonable time frame for the specified position in order to be considered for an interview. DOE rules for site access during the interview process are the same regardless of whether the candidate is interviewed on-site, off-site, or via telephone or videoconference. Additionally, DOE contractor employees are prohibited from participating in certain Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs (FGTRPs). If a candidate is currently participating in an FGTRP, they will be required to disclose their participation after receiving an offer of employment and may be required to disengage from participation in the FGTRP prior to commencing employment. Any offer of employment is conditional on the ability to obtain work authorization and to be granted access to NREL by the Department of Energy (DOE).

　　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.

　　Please review the information on our Hiring Process (https://www.nrel.gov/careers/hiring-process.html) website before you create an account and apply for a job. We also hope you will learn more about NREL (https://www.nrel.gov/about/) , visit our Careers site (https://www.nrel.gov/careers/) , and continue to search for job opportunities (https://nrel.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/NREL) at the lab.