Posting TitleEarly Career Researcher – Solar for Industrial Decarbonization Software Developer

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LocationCO - Golden

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Position TypeLimited Term (Fixed Term)

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Hours Per Week40

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Working at NRELThe 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.

We invite all interested candidates to apply for this opportunity. While we recognize that job seekers may hesitate if they don’t meet every requirement, we encourage dedicated individuals who meet all the basic and additional required qualifications of the role to submit an application. We value the opportunity to consider those who believe they have the necessary skills and ambition to succeed at NREL.

Job Description

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the world’s leading research and development laboratory for renewable energy technologies, is seeking to hire a full-time researcher for a limited term position to participate in research and development (R&D) of solar thermal energy technologies using software development and data analysis skills. The candidate will work with other engineers and scientists in the Thermal Systems R&D Group, within the Energy Conversion and Storage Systems (ECaSS) Center. Obtained an undergraduate degree in engineering and/or computer science.

The candidate will participate in a project that is developing a new solar+storage deployment decision tool as well as a nationwide analysis task. The new, open-source tool will evaluate the economics of using solar+storage the decarbonization of industrial process heat and power emissions (representing a quarter of US greenhouse gas emissions). The analysis part of the project will examine the national level economic opportunity for solar+storage systems to decarbonize industrial sector emissions using the tool as an impactful output and demonstration of the tool. The expected duration of this limited term position is 1 year.

Responsibilities under this position includes:

Development of an open-source web tool through integration of technical, economic, and decision modulesCreate a web-based application graphical user interface. Work to launch public-facing app alongside NREL DevOps teams.Create useful user guides, examples, and documentation to complement the new tool.Create callable data of industrial demand profiles from existing public and NREL databases.Create visualizations of nationwide analysis results.

A researcher II is expected to perform the above job duties with limited oversight and should be self sufficient in the expected job duties. A researcher II should have general knowledge and application of engineering technical standards, principles, theories, concepts and techniques.

A researcher I is expected to assist with the above job duties requiring a large amount of oversight and guidance and should be self sufficient in some, if not all the expected job duties, and have the capability to learn the job duties they are unfamiliar with.

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Basic QualificationsFor Researcher II Level

Relevant Master's Degree . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 2 or more years of experience.

For Researcher I Level
Relevant Bachelor's Degree

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required QualificationsExtensive experience with Python and web application developmentExposure to Julia, Docker, and Azure hosting platformExtensive computer science experience and skillsA researcher II is expected to have a existing proficiency and experience in the above additional qualifications.A researcher I is expected to have some knowledge and exposure in the above additional qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications

Ability to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team and collaborate with a wide range of internal and external teams.

Have strong communication skills, and independent-working attitude towards achieving project goals.

Motivated about solving the climate crisis.

Knowledge of solar (photovoltaic and concentrated solar) and storage (batteries and thermal energy storage) technologies

Technoeconomic analysis skills

Technical writing skills

A researcher II is expected to have knowledge and experience in all of the above preferred qualifications.A researcher I is expected to have some knowledge and experience in all the above preferred qualifications.

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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: Researcher II / Annual Salary Range: $73,200 - $120,800

Job Profile: Researcher I / Annual Salary Range: $63,600 - $104,900

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 SummaryBenefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short*- and long-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; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement*. 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. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.

* Based on eligibility rules

Badging RequirementNREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation.

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.

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