Postdoctoral Researcher – Reaction Engineering Biorefining

Posting Title

Postdoctoral Researcher – Reaction Engineering for Biorefining

CO - Golden

Postdoc (Fixed Term)

40

NLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado and is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development. Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world‑class scientists, engineers, and experts accelerate energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From mission to collaborative culture, NLR stands out for its commitment to an affordable, 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 NLR, 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.

The RRES Center at NLR has an opening for a full‑time Postdoctoral Researcher within the Chemical Catalysis and Reaction Engineering group. Our group is conducting research to enable cost‑effective processes for biomass and waste feedstock conversion and chemical recycling of waste plastics. This position focuses on reaction engineering for the fractionation of biomass into polysaccharide‑rich pulps and lignin‑ and extractives‑rich oils, with an aim to improve the atom economy of existing pulping infrastructure through new process technology development.

This position will involve reaction engineering efforts to enable facile biomass fractionation processes, ideally in existing or retrofitted kraft pulping systems, and downstream fractionation of the solid and liquid products. Candidates will collaborate with a large, multi‑disciplinary, multi‑institutional team. The initial appointment is for one year, with possible renewal up to three years.

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• Work safely and independently in a laboratory setting
• Learn new techniques and protocols
• Plan and execute research in collaboration with other researchers
• Perform lignin oxidation catalysis, reaction engineering, and catalyst and process design
• Communicate scientific results effectively, both in written and oral formats
• Author peer‑reviewed publications
• Work effectively in a large, multidisciplinary team of engineers and chemists

• Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.
• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

• Demonstrated experience in reaction engineering
• Understanding of transport phenomena in complex reactor systems
• Ability to design, build, and safely operate novel reactor systems
• Troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills, and attention to detail
• Ability to deliver high‑quality results within aggressive timelines
  
  Strong record of quality peer‑reviewed publications
• Strong safety record and ability to follow complex standard operating procedures

• Familiarity with biomass conversion including lignin
• Expert in reaction engineering related to biorefining or processes containing complex solids
• Experience in lignin chemistry and catalytic depolymerization
• Downstream processing / separations experience
• Demonstrated in‑depth experience with analytical measurement techniques (e.g. GC‑MS)

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range: $76,600 –…