Posting Title

Post-doctoral Researcher – Materials Science for Photovoltaics

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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 NREL Materials, Chemical and Computational Science (MCCS) directorate has an immediate opening for a full time (40 hours per week) Postdoctoral Researcher for work conducting innovative experimental research in in renewable energy and energy efficiency. MCCS’ research portfolio spans photovoltaics and solar energy conversion; solar fuels; hydrogen production, storage, and utilization; fundamental materials science and chemistry; materials discovery, synthesis, and development; advanced characterization, spectroscopy, microscopy, and imaging; energy storage; and reliability/durability.

Publication of results in scientific journals and conference proceedings and presentation of work at scientific conferences and program review meetings are expected. Complying with NREL’s environmental, safety, and health policies and procedures, working safely at all times, maintaining showpiece laboratories, and continuously promoting a safe working environment.

MCCS Directorate

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Basic Qualifications

Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or relevant field.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Candidates must have a solid background in materials science and/or photovoltaic device physics.
• Strong scientific writing skills demonstrated by first authorship of quality scientific papers
• Proven communications skills and the ability to work collaboratively as part of a research team are also required.
• Experience with experimental materials science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or another relevant field.
• Scientific background allowing interpretation of results using physical principles.
• Excellent oral and written presentation skills.
• A willingness and curiosity to learn work on a variety of projects.
• Ability to learn new techniques quickly and multi-task efficiently.

Preferred Qualifications

The following is a list of preferred skills we would like the candidate to have. We do not expect them to have all these skills/experiences, but just a few. The successful candidate will be selected based on how their skills in these areas will best compliment the team composition.

• Hands on experience with fracture mechanics, mechanical testing, microscopy, or metallography.
• Experience with photovoltaic cell metallization, silicon cell processing, module interconnects, or other metal-semiconductor interfaces.
• An understanding of PV device physics.
• Experience with crystalline Si, CdTe, III/IV, perovskite, or any other PV technology.
• Understanding of PV performance and energy yield modeling.
• Knowledge of photovoltaic cell fabrication, processing, and packaging.
• Experience with modeling mechanics of materials and thermomechanical reliability.
• Experience with accelerated stress testing of materials or devices.
• Experience extrapolating laboratory degradation to field performance.
• Understanding of polymer science and degradation.

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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 | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination | Reasonable Accommodations

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