Undergraduate​/Post-Undergraduate; Year-Round Intern - Chemist​/Chemical Engineering

Position: Undergraduate/Post-Undergraduate (Year-Round) Intern - Chemist/Chemical Engineering
Posting Title

Undergraduate/Post-Undergraduate (Year-Round) Intern - Chemist/Chemical Engineering

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Location

CO - Golden

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Position Type

Intern (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 Bioenergy Science and Technology (BEST) directorate within NLR performs a full range of research from exploring biomass at the molecular level through biorefinery process optimization to bring bio-products to market. The directorate has recently expanded its research focus to include analysis, characterization, biochemical processes, bioenergetics, thermochemical processes, polymer science/synthesis, and plastic recycling and upcycling.

The RRES center within the BEST directorate is a talented team of scientists and technicians working in biological, chemical, and catalytic research approaches to renewable energy and materials for a circular economy. The center has strong thrusts in polymer design and upcycling, separations, synthetic biology and bioconversion, analytical sciences, computational modeling, and lignocellulosic chemistry and catalysis.

Our group is conducting research to investigate the catalytic upgrading of furfurals to hydrocarbons for blending into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from a variety of feed stocks included but not limited to nonrecyclable municipal solid waste and corn stover.

Our team brings together a wide range of technical expertise with a passionate drive to increase the technoeconomic feasibility of producing advanced drop-in fuels with particular emphasis on the aviation sector. This internship position is hiring for full time/part time work on-site with NLR's Separations Group starting in February 2026. As a year-round internship, the ideal candidate will be available for a one-year internship commitment.

This intern will provide researchers with the support necessary to safely achieve their cutting-edge research-homogenous/ heterogeneous chemical catalysts for dehydration, condensation and hydrodeoxygenation reactions. This will involve the synthesis, testing, and characterization of heterogeneous catalysts leading to production of hydrocarbons with boiling points and other properties that make them suitable as jet fuels. Candidates will collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team.

The successful candidate will perform hands-on tasks and experimentation in a laboratory setting including:

* Operation and maintenance of analytical instrumentation

* Batch and flow reactor operation

* Benchtop wet chemistry

* Separations

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Basic Qualifications

Minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.

Undergraduate:
Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a bachelor's degree program from an accredited institution.

Post Undergraduate:
Earned a bachelor's degree within the past 12 months. Eligible for an internship period of up to one year.

Graduate:
Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a master's degree program from an accredited institution.

Post Graduate:
Earned a master's degree within the past 12 months. Eligible for an internship period of up to one year.

Graduate + PhD:
Completed master's degree and enrolled as PhD student from an accredited institution.

Please Note:

* Applicants are responsible for uploading official or unofficial school transcripts, as part of the application process.

* If selected for position, a letter of recommendation will be required as part of the hiring process.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional

Required Qualifications

The successful candidate will be able to:

* Work safely and independently in a laboratory setting

* Learn new techniques and protocols

* Plan and execute research in collaboration with other researchers

* Perform catalysts studies, reaction engineering, and catalyst and process design Communicate scientific results effectively,…