12 Jan
Postdoctoral Researcher – Enzyme Engineering for Deconstructing Plastic Waste
Colorado, Golden , 80401 Golden USA

Vacancy expired!

Posting TitlePostdoctoral Researcher – Enzyme Engineering for Deconstructing Plastic Waste.LocationCO - Golden.Position TypePostdoc (Fixed Term).Hours Per Week40.Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)Annual Salary Range: $68,000 - $112,200Offers will typically be made in the bottom half of the listed range. NREL takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, as well as the position's work location, 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.Job DescriptionThe 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 NREL mission is to develop renewable energy and energy efficient technologies and practices, advance related science and engineering, and transfer knowledge and innovation to address the nation’s energy and environmental goals. The Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center at NREL has an opening for a full time Postdoctoral Researcher within the Synthetic Biology and Bioconversion Group.The successful candidate will work in the DOE-funded Hybrid Approach to Repurpose Plastics Using Novel Engineered Processes (HARNESS) project to use enzymes to deconstruct polyurethane foams into high value end products. The specific role will require identifying, expressing, purifying, and assaying thermophilic enzyme candidates to the project, developing facile enzymatic assays for enzymatic PU depolymerization, and testing optimized enzymes in solid-state assays. The project will be in collaboration done in close connection with industrial partners and analytical chemists at NREL for assay development.The successful candidate will utilize biochemical assays to measure degradation of synthetic plastics, conduct directed evolution or structure-guided protein engineering studies to improve plastics-degrading enzymes, and conduct enzyme kinetics assays for interfacial biocatalysis. The ability to conduct laboratory experiments with minimal supervision with the utmost regard to safety is required, as well as the ability to learn new techniques and protocols.The successful candidate will be able to:Work safely and independently in a laboratory setting

Plan and execute research in collaboration with other researchers

Communicate scientific results effectively, both in written and oral formats

Author peer-reviewed publications, and

Work effectively in a large, multidisciplinary, multi-institutional team of engineers and scientists.

Basic QualificationsMust be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years in Biochemistry, Biological Engineering, Chemistry, or a closely related fieldBasic QualificationsMust be a recent PhD graduate within the last three yearsAdditional Required QualificationsCloning, expression, and purification of proteins

Demonstrated experience in enzyme engineering

Takes initiative to set direction and goals for assigned tasks

A skilled researcher who applies, on a broad basis, existing theories, principles, and concepts, and is fully competent in all conventional applications of knowledge common to bioengineering and function of work assigned

Troubleshooting and problem-solving skills

Ability to deliver high-quality results within aggressive timelines

Strong record of quality peer-reviewed publications

Strong safety record

Demonstrated ability to follow complex standard operating procedures with attention to detail

Preferred QualificationsDemonstrated experience in enzyme engineering related to plastics degradation

Analytical chemistry experience with HPLC, GC-FID, GC-MS, and/or LC-MS

.Benefits SummaryBenefits 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 rulesSubmission GuidelinesPlease 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 applicationEEO PolicyNREL 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.EEO is the Law at http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/ofccpost.htm | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination at https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/pdf/pay-transpEnglishunformattedESQA508c.pdf | Reasonable Accommodations at http://www.nrel.gov/careers/employment-policies.htmlE -Verify www.dhs.gov/E-Verify |For information about right to work, click here at http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/crt/legacy/2013/08/13/FinalOSCPosterEN08012013.pdf for English or here at http://www.justice.gov/crt/file/813271/download for Spanish.E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce.The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is a leader in the U.S. Department of Energy’s effort to secure an environmentally and economically sustainable energy future. With locations in Golden and Boulder, Colorado, and a satellite office in Washington, D.C., NREL is the primary laboratory for research, development, and deployment of renewable energy technologies in the United States.NREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All candidates must be authorized to access the facility per DOE rules and guidance within a reasonable time frame for the specified position in order to be considered for an interview. DOE rules for site access during the interview process are the same regardless of whether the candidate is interviewed on-site, off-site, or via telephone or videoconference. Additionally, DOE contractor employees are prohibited from participating in certain Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs (FGTRPs). If a candidate is currently participating in an FGTRP, they will be required to disclose their participation after receiving an offer of employment and may be required to disengage from participation in the FGTRP prior to commencing employment. Any offer of employment is conditional on the ability to obtain work authorization and to be granted access to NREL by the Department of Energy (DOE). We understand that COVID-19 may have caused delays or closures at offices, consulates, and embassies. However, NREL cannot make exceptions to work authorization and access requirements, and exceptions to these requirements are not being made for COVID-19 related delays.Please review the information on our Hiring Process at https://www.nrel.gov/careers/hiring-process.html website before you create an account and apply for a job. We also hope you will learn more about NREL at https://www.nrel.gov/about/ , visit our Careers site at https://www.nrel.gov/careers/ , and continue to search for job opportunities at https://nrel.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/NREL at the lab.

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