Posting TitleExtreme Environments Geothermal Researcher Anchorage, AK

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LocationAK - Fairbanks

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Position TypeRegular

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Hours Per Week40

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Working at NRELNREL’s Alaska Campus in Fairbanks, Alaska is one of the farthest-north LEED Platinum buildings in the world. Using a mix of solar, geothermal, biomass, and thermal storage, it is a living laboratory for clean energy technologies in the subarctic. NREL's Alaska Campus is in the heart of Interior Alaska, surrounded by mountains, trails, and rivers, as well as vibrant music, culture, and community. With 22 hours of sunlight in the summer and cold, snowy winters, Fairbanks is an outdoor-lovers' paradise.

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) is a leader in the U.S. Department of Energy’s effort to secure an energy future that is both environmentally and economically sustainable. With locations in Golden, Boulder, Washington D.C., and Alaska, NREL is the primary laboratory for research, development, and deployment of energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies in the United States. The NREL mission is to develop renewable energy and energy efficient technologies and practices, advance related science and engineering, and transfer knowledge and innovation to address the nation’s energy and environmental goals.

NREL is seeking to hire a Geothermal Researcher for our Anchorage office focusing on modeling and experimental heat and mass transfer applied to heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems and building energy systems with advanced knowledge of ground source (geothermal) heat pump systems, and campus or district thermal energy networks and systems for its Applied Research for Communities in Extreme Environments team within the Mechanical, and Thermal Energy Sciences (MTES) directorate.

The successful candidate will join team members on cutting-edge laboratory and analytical projects to research, develop, and evaluate heat and mass transfer components and systems.  This includes next-generation standalone and district geothermal heating and cooling systems, conventional and innovative HVAC solutions, thermal storage mechanisms, and various building energy technologies. A strong foundation in heat and mass transfer principles, encompassing theory, modeling, and experimental proficiency especially in the context of geothermal heat pumps, and building and/or district energy technologies is a fundamental requirement for this role.

For a Researcher III:

The individual will support efforts related to analysis & design, technical assistance, and R&D of geothermal heat pump systems and district thermal energy network systems. Improve, develop, and use first-principles numerical modeling tools of heat and mass exchangers and other thermal components and systems for building envelopes and HVAC systems such as heat pumpsMust have experience developing, designing, and analyzing new HVAC processes and componentsMust have experience performing laboratory experiments on materials and fluid/thermal components at NREL’s laboratoriesMust have experience developing and deploying instrumentation and data collection plansWork with and develop energy modeling capabilities in Modelica, OpenStudio/EnergyPlusShould have publishing papers experience in heat and mass transfer, energy, or other similar journals

Under the general direction of senior staff, the successful candidate will the Researcher III/II will:

Support efforts related to analysis & design, technical assistance, and R&D of geothermal heat pump systems and district thermal energy network systems. Improve, develop, and use first-principles numerical modeling tools of heat and mass exchangers and other thermal components and systems for building envelopes and HVAC systems such as heat pumpsDevelop, design, and analyze new HVAC processes and componentsPerform laboratory experiments on materials and fluid/thermal components at NREL’s laboratoriesDevelop and deploy instrumentation and data collection plansWork with and develop energy modeling capabilities in Modelica, OpenStudio/EnergyPlusPublish papers in heat and mass transfer, energy, or other similar journals

Our planet needs us! Learn about NREL’s critical objectives, and see how NREL is focused on saving the planet.

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Candidates at the Researcher II level will receive long- range directions on new assignments and receive occasional oversight on complex features or problems. Work will be evaluated upon completion to ensure objectives have been met. Provides technical coordination and/or guidance to others as needed.

Candidates at the Researcher III Level will work under nominal supervision and provides technical direction to multiple teams for organizational or business unit initiatives and/or new technology product line strategies. Coordinates and monitors the work of others. Has the ability to develop into a role model for effective and creative technical leadership within a center or directorate.

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Basic QualificationsFor a Researcher III:

Relevant PhD . Or, relevant Master's Degree and 3 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 5 or more years of experience . Demonstrates broad understanding and wide application of engineering technical procedures, principles, theories and concepts in the field. General knowledge of other related disciplines. Demonstrates leadership in one or more areas of team, task or project lead responsibilities. Demonstrated experience in management of projects. Very good writing, interpersonal and communication skills.

For a Researcher II:

Job Profile Summary
Relevant Master's Degree . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 2 or more years of experience . General knowledge and application of engineering technical standards, principles, theories, concepts and techniques. Training in team, task or project leadership responsibilities. Intermediate abilities and knowledge of practices and techniques. Beginning experience in project management. Good writing, interpersonal and communication skills.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

Preferred QualificationsDistrict energy modelingBuilding energy modeling and software (OpenStudio, EnergyPlus, TRNSYS, IES etc.)Cold climate heat pumps and other HVAC technologiesDesigning and constructing campus- and community-scale developments, especially those pursuing energy-efficiency or zero-energy goalsLaboratory experiments and data acquisition systemsAlaska location Preference

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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 III / Annual Salary Range: $71,600 - $128,800

Job Profile: Researcher II / Annual Salary Range: $65,800 - $108,700

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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