Posting TitleGraduate (Year-Round) Intern for Flexible Water Treatment Process Modeling

.

LocationCO - Boulder

.

Position TypeIntern (Fixed Term)

.

Hours Per Week40

.

Working at NREL

Join NREL, where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NREL 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 NREL, 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

NREL’s Water Power Technology Validation team has an immediate opening for a full-time (40 hours per week) graduate engineering intern with experience in python and process systems modeling and optimization of flexibly operated water treatment systems. This is a 9–12-month position.

NREL's integrated water systems research focuses on the nexus of the energy, water, land, atmospheric, and urban sectors. This research includes the following capabilities:

Developing advanced multisector and multiscale models to support planning and operations at the energy-water-land nexusEvaluating synergies between energy and water systems to improve integration, reliability, and resilienceInnovating water treatment technologies and manufacturing to enhance efficiency and reduce costs at multiple scalesProviding expertise in technology development, validation, demonstration, and deployment of practical water solutionsDelivering technology-neutral decision support to address technical, policy, social, and economic barriers for optimized system integration

The job duties for the successful candidate will include but may not be limited to:

Conducting techno-economic analysis and performance modeling of water treatment processes using WaterTAPPerforming model simulations to lower operating costs of water treatment systems via flexible operational strategiesIdentifying key parameters and operational constraints to build and refine water treatment models in WaterTAPAnalyzing simulation results to optimize system performanceDocumenting and communicating results with project lead and collaboratorsContribute to the writing of technical papers and research publications

.

Basic QualificationsMinimum 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 QualificationsMust have completed an undergraduate degree and be currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a master’s program, or currently enrolled in a PhD program in Mechanical, Chemical, Environmental Engineering, or a related fieldDemonstrated knowledge and experience using pythonExperience conducting technoeconomic analysis and process modelingExperience with model scaling, initialization, and optimizationExperience with transient/dynamic modeling of water treatment systemsExcellent communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge or experience with PySAM, Pyomo, IDAES, and WaterTAP Python packages

Experience modeling solar energy systems and grid interactions with PySAM

Academic specialty in water and wastewater treatment systems preferred

Knowledge or experience with flexible water treatment strategies

.

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: $43,700 - $69,900

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 SummaryBenefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; and sick leave (where required by law). 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. Internships projected to be less than 20 hours per week are not eligible for medical, dental, or vision benefits.

* Based on eligibility rules

Badging RequirementNREL 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

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.

.

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

E-Verify www.dhs.gov/E-Verify For information about right to work, click here for English or here 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.