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Posting Title
Senior Geothermal Research Scientist
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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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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 energy systems research and development.
Join the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NREL stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth.
At NREL, you’ll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being.
Job Description
NREL has an opportunity for one or more Senior Geothermal Research Scientist(s) to lead one or more subprograms for its geothermal R&D program based at the NREL Golden Campus.The successful candidate(s) will be responsible for establishing and advancing geothermal research, development, demonstration and deployment capability and supporting research initiatives across NREL’s Campuses and externally.

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 reliable, secure, and affordable. With locations in Golden, Boulder, Washington D.C., and Alaska, NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy’s primary national laboratory for energy systems.
The candidate will also be responsible for applying their expertise and project leadership skills to ensure safe and successful project execution of projects to meet DOE and NREL’s research mission. Additionally, the candidate will be expected to coordinate and communicate effectively with a wide range of technical stakeholders, including research engineers, scientists, principal investigators, NREL leadership, DOE clients, and industry research partners.

Responsibilities:
  • Work collaboratively with NREL’s Laboratory Program Manager (LPM) for the Geothermal Technology Office and other DOE national laboratories.
  • Establish subprogram strategy, goals, milestones and deliverables for one or more geothermal subprograms (EGS and/or Low-Temperature and Coproduced Resources) as defined with the LPM.
  • Lead teams of individuals to successfully plan and execute projects.
  • Manage a diverse portfolio of projects/assignments in parallel.
  • Develop and lead successful proposals for laboratory and field experimentation on geothermal technologies and resources (e.g., power production, co-production, ground-source heat pumps, geologic storage systems). This includes developing external partnerships that lead to industry funded research.
  • Develop conceptual designs for validation and evaluation facilities for geothermal science and technology R&D and assist the execution and installation of such facilities.
  • Communicate project plans, status, schedule, and budget effectively in a timely and proactive manner.
  • Follow all Environment, Safety, and Health policies and procedures to ensure and maintain a safe working environment.
  • Lead, contribute to, and review high-quality publications.
  • Mentor staff and anticipate and address potential issues proactively to ensure continued success of the subprogram.
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Basic Qualifications
For Researcher V Level
Relevant PhD and 9 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Master's Degree and 12 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 14 or more years of experience .

For Researcher IV
Relevant PhD and 4 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Master's Degree and 7 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 9 or more years of experience .
  • Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
Additional Required Qualifications
  • Demonstrated track record of establishing and advancing laboratory capabilities supporting cutting-edge subsurface and geothermal research.
  • Existing track record of producing high-quality publications.
  • Outstanding interpersonal, conflict resolution, teaming, and communication skills.
  • Demonstrated experience with laboratory and field experimentation on geothermal energy, subsurface resources, and/or subsurface energy storage systems.
  • Demonstrated experience writing funding opportunity proposals from DOE or other related federal funding sources.
A researcher V applies advanced scientific technical principles, theories and concepts and leads contributions to the development of new principles and concepts. They are considered a national subject matter expert with extensive demonstrated leadership in a number of areas, including all team, task and/or project lead responsibilities. They have advanced experience and expertise in the management of complex and/or impactful projects with excellent proficiency in technical writing, interpersonal and communication skills.
A researcher IV applies extensive scientific technical expertise, and has full knowledge of other related disciplines and is considered a technical resource with demonstrated leadership in several areas of team, task or project lead responsibilities. They will also have excellent technical writing, interpersonal and communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience working at, or in partnership with, a DOE Laboratory.
  • Demonstrated experience working directly with the Geothermal Technology Office.
  • Demonstrated experience working in collaboration with other DOE national laboratories.
  • Experience running multi-disciplinary teams of domain specialists for targeted solutions.
A researcher V will have advanced expertise and experience working with DOE, other national laboratories and relevant partners. They will have also a substantial experience running multidisciplinary teams of domain specialists for targeted and ground breaking solutions and concepts.
A researcher IV will have some expertise and experience working with the DOE, other national laboratories and relevant partners. They will have experience running multidisciplinary teams of domain specialists and ability to contribute to novel and ground breaking concepts.
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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 V / Annual Salary Range: $117,200 - $211,000
Job Profile: Researcher IV / Annual Salary Range: $97,800 - $176,000
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
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.
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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