Researcher : Human Dimensions of Integrated Energy Systems

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Working at NLR

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

NLR’s National Wind Technology Center located at the Flatirons Campus between Golden and Boulder, CO has an immediate opening for a researcher to support the human dimensions of integrated energy research portfolio. The role will focus on research and analysis to increase understanding of energy-related perceptions, challenges, and opportunities in rural communities and the agricultural sector, as well as on strong engagement with intermediary partner organizations to enhance research, analysis, and practical, on-the-ground outcomes.

This position will work with an internal team to support a variety of customers, including the US Department of Energy Integrated Energy Systems Office. The successful candidate may also work collaboratively with other National Laboratories, other federal agencies, communities, intermediary partner organizations, and industry representatives.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Supporting the design and delivery of research and engagement tasks across a set of related projects, bringing strong coordination, communication, and project management skills to strengthen connections between initiatives, find efficiencies, track and report on progress at the project and portfolio levels, and think strategically on how enhance the impact of the work.
• Utilizing research, analysis, and engagement skills to increase understanding of community interactions with utility and distributed scale wind and solar energy projects, with a focus on on-farm energy use, end of service, and recycling topics.
• Collaborating with external partner organizations and subcontractors to enable bi-directional learning between NLR and local stakeholders, build capacity in new areas, and position local insights to inform the design, execution and dissemination of research initiatives.
• Supporting efforts to build the visibility of project work internally and externally through contributions to interviews, reporting, publications, presentations, and events.

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Basic Qualifications

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Demonstrate a broad understanding of social science, policy, planning, community and economic development, and engagement, ideally in rural and agricultural contexts, as well as general knowledge of wind energy and/or energy systems more broadly.
• Proven ability to build, onboard, and manage partnerships and stakeholder relationships to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Experience communicating results of work to a wide range of audiences and ability to prepare professional project communications that are appropriate for internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to work well within a team and independently with guidance from senior staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• Research and/or engagement experience in rural and/or agricultural contexts.

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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)

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

* Based on eligibility rules

Badging Requirement

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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About Us

The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for critical minerals, energy innovation, and energy security. With locations in Golden and Boulder, Colorado, Fairbanks, Alaska, and a satellite office in Washington, D.C., NLR bridges foundational research with practical applications to develop and bring to scale new energy materials and technologies that lower energy costs, drive economic growth, and deliver abundant and reliable energy.

NLR 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 and for hiring. DOE rules for site access during the interview process depend on whether the candidate is interviewed on-site, off-site, or via telephone or videoconference. 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. 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 NLR by the Department of Energy (DOE).

Drug Free Workplace

NLR is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with 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.