Job Description

The Building Thermal Energy Science Group of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is seeking a graduate intern. NREL is the nation's primary laboratory for research, development, and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. This position will support research and development at NREL for bio-based, sustainable building materials and their relation to upcycling waste products. We are developing and synthesizing these materials and determining mechanical properties.

General Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate should have a strong background in (1) polymer synthesis and characterization, (2) an understanding of heat and mass transfer, and/or (3) familiarity with handling concrete. The candidate will contribute to new research in a lignin-based sustainable building materials that are an effective alternative to cement/concrete. The candidate is expected to demonstrate good communication skills and the ability to document the research in the form of journal articles and presentations.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform chemical modifications and characterization of lignin to form high-strength materials.
• Characterize the chemical and thermal properties of materials using tools like nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).
• Characterize the mechanical properties using tools like dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), tensile testing, 3-point bending testing, freeze-thaw testing, accelerated UV/heat/moisture aging tests, and compression strength testing.
• Scale up synthesis and troubleshoot manufacturing issues.
• Assist in project management, including writing reports, journal articles, and presentations for program review or conferences.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The candidate will get the opportunity to be involved in detailed experimental research and linking the knowledge to several other aspects of systems engineering. Moreover, the candidate will be able to learn different techniques and measurement equipment utilized for thermal, mass transfer, mechanical, and chemical measurements.

The ideal candidate will have several or all of the following:

• Strong background in polymer synthesis, lignin chemistry, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, and/or a related field
• Experience in experimental work synthesizing lignin and/or polymer networks and completing their characterization.
• Demonstrated research capability and creativity to solve challenging problems, as well as the ability to work well in a team.
• Experience with cement/concrete characterization tools (e.g. freeze-thaw chambers, rheometers)
• Experience with synthesis and characterization of engineered wood products.

We do not expect a candidate to hold all the skills listed above but the candidate should illustrate the eagerness to learn and potential for professional growth.

The intern(s) in this position should be prepared to work onsite at NREL's South Table Mountain campus for a minimum of 3 months. Availability beyond 3 months is preferred.

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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

• Candidate should have a strong aptitude to learn and explore the field needed for development, to be motivated and dedicated, and to deliver research results on time and on budget.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, documentation skills, oral and writing proficiency in English.

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated experience in some or all of the following:

• Experience in synthesizing polymers
• Experience with lignin chemistry
• Experience in cement/concrete characterization
• Experience in engineered wood products
• Knowledge of mechanical properties of polymers

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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: $34,800 - $55,700

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; 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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Equal Opportunity 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.

Reasonable Accommodations

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