Posting Title

Postdoctoral Researcher - Techno-economic Modelling of Thermal Energy Systems

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Location

CO - Golden

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Position Type

Postdoc (Fixed Term)

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Hours Per Week

40

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Working at NLR

NLR is 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 Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR 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 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.

Job Description

The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is seeking to hire a postdoctoral candidate in mechanical engineering or a closely related field of study. The candidate will work with other engineers and scientists in the Thermal Energy Sciences Group within the Energy Conversion and Storage Center. The candidate will join a team of engineers and scientists studying thermal systems, including geothermal power, solar thermal power, and Underground Thermal Energy Storage (UTES). Research will involve collaboration with other NLR centers, other national laboratories, universities, and industry.

This position requires advanced knowledge of simulation and optimization of engineered systems, with preference given to previous experience in the area of thermal systems such as geothermal, solar thermal, and thermal energy storage technologies. Research activities may include:

• Developing technical and cost models of individual components, such as compressors, turbines, chillers, heat exchangers, liquid storage tanks, reservoir thermal energy storage, borehole thermal energy storage
• Developing system models, such as power cycles, heat pumps, data center energy systems, combined heat and power systems
• Developing methods to assess system value
• Write technical reports, contribute to project review meeting, publish research results in peer-reviewed conferences and high-impact scientific journals.

The successful candidate will have completed coursework or have demonstrated experience related to heat transfer, thermodynamics, energy storage, computer programming, and thermal energy systems. Relevant experience can include thermodynamic power cycles, heat pumps or refrigeration, building energy modeling, or simulation of power systems.

Assumed responsibilities include close attention to documenting work in detailed technical records, maintaining clean and safe work conditions, conducting work with the highest professional standards, and presenting and publishing research in technical forums.

For more information on the types of projects performed by the group as well as a recent publication please review the following links.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s44435-026-00008-3

https://www.nlr.gov/news/detail/program/2025/reducing-data-center-peak-cooling-demand-and-energy-costs-with-underground-thermal-energy-storage.

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Basic Qualifications

Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or closely related field of study. 
• Demonstrated experience in thermodynamic and heat transfer modeling is required.
• Proficiency with programming languages such as Python, Matlab, C++. Proficiency with version control systems such as Subversion and Git.
• The successful candidate will have a track record of research and publications in thermal systems, energy storage, and/or power cycle research.
• The candidate must demonstrate a research capability to solve challenging problems, and have excellent interpersonal, communication, writing and documentation skills. This position requires creativity, independence, innovation, and adaptability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency with energy modeling tools such as System Advisor Model or REopt.
• Experience with software such as IPSEpro (or other process simulation tools) or Engineering Equation Solver.
• Modeling experience with power generation and energy storage is desired. Knowledge of geothermal energy, solar thermal, and/or thermal energy storage principles and technologies is beneficial, as is familiarity with software development tools and practices.

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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: Postdoctoral Researcher / Annual Salary Range: $76,600 - $126,400

NLR 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-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. NLR 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 rules

Badging Requirement

NLR 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

NLR 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 NLR, 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 NLR 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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