Posting Title
Postdoctoral Researcher - CSP System Analysis

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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 eight employee resource groups, numerous employee-driven clubs, and learning and professional development classes.

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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

NREL is seeking to hire a postdoctoral researcher to conduct cutting-edge research in the areas of concentrating solar power (CSP) under the heliostat consortium (HelioCon).  More details on HelioCon can be found at HelioCon.org.  The candidate will work with other engineers and scientists in the Thermal Energy Systems Group, within the Energy Conversion and Storage Systems Center (ECaSS) Center. The thermal energy systems group is focused on concentrating solar thermal technologies, thermal energy hybridization systems, and thermal energy storage systems.

The candidate will contribute to develop optimization models and technoeconomic analyses of concentrating solar thermal (CST) systems and subcomponents, with a focus on heliostats and heliostat field. Responsibilities under this position include leading research work on modeling, testing, reporting, and publications. The candidate is required to have fundamental understandings on CSP systems and solar collectors.

Work includes:

• Develop optimization studies using non-convex, black-box objective functions to determine the design of some system components within a larger power-generating framework.
• Develop O&M and forecasting models for system performance, incorporating uncertainty in exogenous factors (such as irradiance) and decision-dependent factors (such as component reliability).
• Conduct primary research on component and subcomponent costs (primarily heliostats and heliostat field) for the CSP industry.
• Ray-trace modeling for heliostat fields.
• Write technical reports and contribute to project review meetings.
• Publish research results in peer-reviewed conferences and high-impact scientific journals.

The candidate will work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, should possess excellent engineering analytical and modeling skills, and have strong interpersonal and communication abilities and independent-working attitude towards achieving research goals.

Experience working in either energy systems or manufacturing systems is preferred.

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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

Preferred Qualifications

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Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)
Job Profile: Postdoctoral Researcher / Annual Salary Range: $71,300 - $117,600

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.

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