Undergraduate or Graduate Internship for Critical Material Enabling Analysis

Posting Title Undergraduate or Graduate Internship for Critical Material Enabling Analysis Location CO - Golden Position Type Intern (Fixed Term) Hours Per Week 40 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) in Golden, Colorado, is the nation's primary laboratory for research, development, and deployment of energy and energy‑efficiency technologies, critical material production technologies, as well as research and developments on chemicals. This position is part of the Integrated Modeling and Economic Analysis (IMEA) team within NLR's Strategic Energy Analysis and Decision Science (SEADS) Directorate. Primary responsibilities of team members include the development of conceptual process designs and the economic and sustainability analyses of conversion technologies for critical materials to address national security in producing domestic critical materials. Life cycle assessment (LCA) knowledge is desirable, with specific experience in accessing and retrieving data from LCI databases (US Federal Data Commons, Ecoinvent, etc.). Additional responsibilities involve collecting supply‑chain data and incorporating insights into the analysis of critical minerals and manufacturing locations. The Minerals to Materials Supply Chain Facility (METALLIC) project enabling activity team is seeking a graduate or post‑graduate intern for a one‑year appointment, providing support in these activities. Basic Qualifications Must be enrolled as a full‑time student in a Bachelor's, Master's or PhD degree program, or graduated in the past 12 months from an accredited institution. Candidates who have earned a degree may work for a period not to exceed 12 months. Must have a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. Please Note You will need to upload 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. Additional Required Qualifications Python coding knowledge. Knowledge and application of process simulation software, such as Aspen Plus or PrOMMiS, for developing conceptual process models. Remote work is an option, with the intent to be on NLR campus during the summer. Preferred Qualifications Demonstrated experience in process and design engineering, scale‑up, costing, and TEA methodologies, including process considerations for equipment design optimization. Knowledge of LCI databases (US Federal Commons, Ecoinvent, etc.). Knowledge of supply‑chain analysis. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in chemical, environmental, mechanical or process engineering. 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: / Annual Salary Range: $51,200 - $81,900. 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; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match; and sick leave (where required by law). 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. Internships projected to be less than 20 hours per week are not eligible for medical, dental, or vision benefits. 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. Intern assignments extending beyond six months will be subject to this 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. 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. E‑Verify E‑Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish. #J-18808-Ljbffr National Laboratory of the Rockies