Postdoctoral Researcher – Nondestructive Testing for In-line Quality Monitoring of High-volume, Roll-to-roll Fabrication Processes

Posting Title
Postdoctoral Researcher – Nondestructive Testing for In-line Quality Monitoring of High-volume, Roll-to-roll Fabrication Processes

.

Location
CO - Golden

.

Position Type
Postdoc (Fixed Term)

.

Hours Per Week
40

.

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

A postdoctoral researcher position is available in the Thin Film and Manufacturing Science Group to conduct research on developing real-time, non-destructive inspection techniques for materials utilized in hydrogen fuel-cell and electrolyzer applications. Techniques will be developed and validated using specimens from industry partners or fabricated in-house. Understanding the effect of technique parameters, components, and configuration on detection of defects and sample uniformity is a key aspect of the work. More specifically, activities will focus on designing, prototyping, building, executing, and troubleshooting in-line, fast-rate characterization experiments for materials transported through a roll-to-roll web-line. The experimental work will be followed by data analysis, and results reporting. Basic principles of laboratory safety must be adhered to and specific procedures for safe operation of equipment must be followed.

Please see more about our Postdoc experience in the Materials, Chemical and Computational Science Directorate and NREL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmE7-M723oo

.

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

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Hands-on experience performing advanced optical, thermal or X-ray spectroscopy or imaging experiments.
• Strong background in topics related to experimental error analysis, Gauge R&R, Six-Sigma or Statistical Process Control.
• Ability to design algorithms for automatic processing for large amounts of imaging and experimental data.
• Practical knowledge of spectroscopy, 2D imaging or hyperspectral sensors capturing ultraviolet, visible, or infrared radiation signals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Scripting using Wolfram Mathematica, R, python or other data processing systems
• Familiar with parallel GPU and CPU processing
• Experience developing nondestructive quality monitoring systems for large scale manufacturing
• Familiar with structure and operation of hydrogen fuel-cells and electrolyzers and their fabrication technology
• Basic knowledge of imaging techniques in the context of roll-to-roll quality monitoring.
• PhD in Materials Science, Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering or other related fields

.

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.

.

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

E-Verify www.dhs.gov/E-Verify For information about right to work, click here for English or here 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.