Posting Title

Researcher III – Materials Science: Cryogenic Electron Microscopy

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Location

CO - Golden

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Position Type

Regular

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Hours Per Week

40

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COVID-19 Safety Protocols

Employment at NREL is contingent upon your compliance with all NREL and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) safety protocols and mitigation efforts directed at the COVID-19 pandemic.

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 eight 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 Advanced Microscopy and Imaging Sciences Group at NREL is building multiscale, multimodal capabilities and unique techniques in the fields of electron microscopy [transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), focused ion beam, electron beam backscattered diffraction (EBSD)], scanning probe microscopy (atomic force microscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy, Kelvin probe force microscopy), and optical microscopy (near-filed scanning optical microscopy, cathodoluminescence, photoluminescence) for characterizing energy materials. Internal groups that we collaborate with are in photovoltaics, energy storage, hydrogen storage, biofuels, catalysts, and wind energy. We are currently seeking a research scientist to develop cryogenic electron microscopy techniques in the areas of SEM, TEM, and high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) with electrical characterization.

Projects will require standard characterization of beam sensitive materials, with a future focus on in-situ characterization and multi-modal approaches to measure chemical, structural, morphological, electrical, and interfacial properties of energy materials. Job duties will include the characterization of beam sensitive materials including perovskites, polymer membranes, and solid-liquid interfaces using cryogenic freezing, cryogenic SEM with focused ion beam (FIB) lift-out of cross-sectional samples, and cryogenic structural/compositional mapping with S/TEM. Our group is investing in new tools to enable characterization of materials with dose control in S/TEM characterization, therefore the candidate will advance these capabilities by determining the ideal imaging/spectroscopy (energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy) conditions for various beam sensitive materials. The candidate will also be supporting efforts to develop new areas of research and identifying research implications for community impact and applications.

The successful candidate will support current projects within the group and develop their own projects and laboratory-wide collaborations to explore advanced characterization approaches, specifically in using new cryo SEM/FIB, cryo plunge freezer, cryo S/TEM holders in dose-controlled imaging and spectroscopy.

MCCS Directorate

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Basic Qualifications

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 complete understanding and wide application of scientific 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 technical writing, interpersonal and communication skills.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

A Ph. D. in materials science, physics, chemistry, or a related subject and a strong background in characterization and electron microscopy techniques are required. Prior experience in cryogenic electron microscopy with demonstrated success in dose-controlled imaging.

Preferred Qualifications

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Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)

Job Profile: Researcher III / Annual Salary Range: $77,600 - $139,700

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 Summary

Benefits 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

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, 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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