Jobs for People with MS: National MS Society

Posting Title

Research Technologist - Focused Ion Beam and Scanning Electron Microscopy

.

Location

CO - Golden

.

Position Type

Regular

.

Hours Per Week

40

.

Working at NREL

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for research and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

From day one at NREL, you’ll connect with coworkers driven by the same mission to save the planet. By joining an organization that values a supportive, inclusive, and flexible work environment, you’ll have the opportunity to engage through our ten employee resource groups, numerous employee-driven clubs, and learning and professional development classes.

NREL supports inclusive, diverse, and unbiased hiring practices that promote creativity and innovation. By collaborating with organizations that focus on diverse talent pools, reaching out to underrepresented demographics, and providing an inclusive application and interview process, our Talent Acquisition team aims to hear all voices equally. We strive to attract a highly diverse workforce and create a culture where every employee feels welcomed and respected and they can be their authentic selves.

Our planet needs us! Learn about NREL’s critical objectives, and see how NREL is focused on saving the planet.

Note: Research suggests that potential job seekers may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who is interested in this opportunity to apply. We seek dedicated people who believe they have the skills and ambition to succeed at NREL to apply for this role.

Job Description

The Analytical Microscopy and Imaging Sciences group at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is seeking a new research specialist to oversee the operations of two scanning electron microscopes (SEM) and two brand new focused ion beam / SEMs. The role will encompass equivalent responsibilities for collaborative clean energy materials science research and effective operations support of the SEM and dual beam microscopes. Clean energy systems of interest include photovoltaics (Si, CdTe, and metal halide perovskites), energy storage (thermal and electrochemical), polymer membranes (catalysis, separation, and electrolysis), biocomposites (molecular to biosafety level 1 materials), thin films for power electronics (oxides, nitrides, and doped films), and various clean building materials (electrochromic glass and cements). The facilities include a Hitachi 4800 SEM and Thermo Fisher Nova 630 SEM with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The two dual beam systems are the Thermo Fisher Helios 5 laser plasma FIB and a TESCAN Solaris Ga-ion FIB. The additional capabilities on the Helios 5 PFIB include inert transfer, cryo stage and cryo lift-out, multi-ion sources (Xe, Ar, O, N), multi-chemistry gas injection system (C, W, Pt/C), high efficiency EDS and EBSD detection, slice-n-view for 3D reconstructions, and a femtosecond laser for milling 10 – 4,000 um cross-sections in diameter and depth. The additional capabilities on the TESCAN Nova 630 include cryo with inert transfer, cryo stage and cryo lift out, EDS mapping, routine scripting, and a rocking polishing stage. The SEM and dual beam tools currently have over 100 users on the Hitachi 4800 SEM with the other three tools rapidly gaining user access for researchers across NREL.

The candidate must have experience in training researchers new to electron microscopy and dual beam systems for cross-sectional imaging/mapping and lift-out procedures for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) sample preparation on both Ga-ion and plasma FIBs. The successful candidate will ideally have over 2 years of experience in SEM and FIB/SEM stewardship to support a variety of materials (polymers, semiconductor devices, thin-films, and heterogeneous composite materials). Experience with cryogenic methods, in situ (MEMS chip) preparation, and preparation of very thin samples for analytical electron microscopy of materials is highly desired. Experience in automation and scripting, as well as customization of instruments in partnership with vendors is also a plus. The candidate characteristics highly desired for this role include a highly collaborative and engaging researcher that can communicate heavily with students, postdocs, early career and senior scientists on deeply technical and detailed operations topics. Coordination of resources, group members, maintenance, calibrations/alignments, and future planning will be critical aspects of this role. The role will include the support of two technicians in the group, who currently maintain the facilities, provide microscope trainings, and technical output for a range of technical projects. The successful candidate will not be expected to write proposals for funding or serve as a primary investigator on new research projects, although there will be opportunities for career development, advanced training, and mentorship.

The Analytical Microscopy and Imaging Sciences group resides within the Materials, Chemical, and Computational Sciences (MCCS) directorate within NREL. The group has capabilities in electron microscopy, electro-optical imaging, and scanning probe microscopy. These characterization expertise and capabilities encourage collaboration with a wide range of topics active within NREL, with various degrees of engagement from directed data collection by our group members, to training and independent research of users working on the instruments. The tool model is a fee recovery mechanism to pay for the tool maintenance, service, and repairs to keep optimal performance on the instruments as they age. The successful candidate will be responsible for oversight of this system to balance tool usage with hourly rates for SEMs and dual beams.

.

Basic Qualifications

Relevant PhD. Or, relevant Master's Degree and 3 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 5 or more years of experience . Applies extensive scientific technical expertise, and has full knowledge of other related disciplines. Considered a technical resource. Demonstrates leadership in several areas of team, task or project lead responsibilities. Demonstrated experience in management of projects. Excellent technical writing, interpersonal and communication skills.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Demonstration of advanced focused ion beam sample preparation (Ga-ion and Xe-ion) for scanning and transmission electron microscopy

Experience in managing a scanning electron microscope and training others to a high competency

Ability to process data for publication in scientific journals

Experience in sample preparation for electron microscopy for thin films, bulk composite materials, 2D materials, nanoparticles, and microelectromechanical devices

Preferred Qualifications

.

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: Research Technologist IV / Annual Salary Range: $79,600 - $143,300

NREL 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- and long-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; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement. 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. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.

* Based on eligibility rules

Drug Free Workplace

NREL 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 NREL, 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 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 application.

.

EEO Policy

NREL 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, 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.

EEO is the Law (http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/ofccpost.htm) | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination (https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp_English_unformattedESQA508c.pdf) | Reasonable Accommodations (http://www.nrel.gov/careers/employment-policies.html)

E -Verify www.dhs.gov/E-Verify For information about right to work, click here (http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/crt/legacy/2013/08/13/FinalOSCPosterEN08_01_2013.pdf) for English or here (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).

Drug Free Workplace

NREL 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 NREL, 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.

Please review the information on our Hiring Process (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 (https://www.nrel.gov/about/) , visit our Careers site (https://www.nrel.gov/careers/) , and continue to search for job opportunities (https://nrel.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/NREL) at the lab.