Post Undergraduate (Year-Round) Intern - Critical Materials Separations

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Posting Title
Post Undergraduate (Year-Round) Intern – Critical Materials Separations
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Location
CO - Golden
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Position Type
Intern (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 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) in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for research, development and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. The Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center at NREL has an opportunity available for a full-time post-graduate intern who will be supporting research and development activities related to the recovery of critical materials from unconventional liquid streams.
Our research group is conducting research to develop environmentally friendly processes for the separation and recovery of lithium from unconventional resources. The successful candidate will help in scaling a novel chromatographic technology for the separation of lithium from geothermal brines, formation waters, and produced water. Our team brings together a wide range of technical expertise and global experience unified by a drive to increase the technoeconomic feasibility of global adoption of a circular economy. This is an excellent opportunity for a recent bachelors graduate who desires to obtain relevant laboratory experience in preparation for graduate school or a career in critical materials, mining, or biochemical industries.
The successful candidate will perform hands-on tasks and experimentation in a laboratory setting including:
  • Operation and maintenance of analytical instrumentation,
  • Batch and flow separations
  • Chemical synthesis
The ability to conduct laboratory experiments with minimal supervision, with the utmost regard to safety and attention to detail is required. Adaptability and an aptitude for learning are critical in this role.
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Basic Qualifications
Minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.

Undergraduate: Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a bachelor’s degree program from an accredited institution.
Post Undergraduate: Earned a bachelor’s degree within the past 12 months. Eligible for an internship period of up to one year.
Graduate: Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a master’s degree program from an accredited institution.
Post Graduate: Earned a master’s degree within the past 12 months. Eligible for an internship period of up to one year.
Graduate + PhD: Completed master’s degree and enrolled as PhD student from an accredited institution.
Please Note:
  • Applicants are responsible for uploading official or unofficial school transcripts, as part of the application process.
  • If selected for position, a letter of recommendation will be required as part of the hiring process.
  • Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
  • Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
Additional Required Qualifications
  • Demonstrated general laboratory experience and exposure to analytical chemistry
  • Familiarity with general separations techniques including thin layer chromatography, flash chromatography, distillation, and liquid-liquid extraction.
  • Attention to detail, a fast learner, and excellent time management skills
  • Ability to work with a variety of personality types with various backgrounds
  • Demonstrated experience following Standard Lab Safety Procedures and setting a safe example
  • Willingness to take direction and work independently to support team goals
Preferred Qualifications
Familiarity with:
  • Thin-layer chromatography
  • Flash chromatography
  • Distillation
  • Liquid-liquid extraction
  • Analytical methods (GC and HPLC)
  • Chemical synthesis techniques
  • Aspen Plus
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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: / Annual Salary Range: $38,300 - $61,300
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; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; and sick leave (where required by law). 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. Internships projected to be less than 20 hours per week are not eligible for medical, dental, or vision benefits.
  • Based on eligibility rules
Badging Requirement
NREL 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. Intern assignments extending beyond six months will be subject to this requirement.
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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