NREL'S RESEARCH PARTICIPANT PROGRAM (for temporary full- and part-time appointments)

INTRODUCTION economic and policy analysis also contributing to the transfer of of renewable technologies, the technology resulting from that The National Renewable Energy advanced vehicle technologies, research. Laboratory (NREL) is the nation's program management, and tech- primary laboratory for the Appointments to the program nology transfer. These research research and development of provide the opportunity for quali- activities support the U.S. renewable energy technologies. fied university faculty, students, Department of Energy (DOE) Established in 1977 as the Solar and professional scientists and Office of Energy Efficiency and Energy Research Institute, NREL engineers to participate in the Renewable Energy. In recent gained national laboratory status Laboratory's research and devel- years, the Laboratory has played and was renamed in 1991 by opment programs, initiate new an increasing role in the inter- President George Bush Sr. to areas of research, and establish national development of reflect its expanded mission and a base for ongoing collabora- renewable energy. importance. NREL has a staff of tions. Participants develop approximately 1,000 people and expertise in disciplines related PURPOSE an annual operating budget of to renewable energy research roughly $185 million. NREL's NREL is committed to interacting for application at their home research programs include basic with educational institutions, institutions or in their future energy research, photovoltaics, industry, and other research career pursuits. organizations through the Lab’s wind energy, building technolo- Appointments to the program are Research Participant Program. gies, biomass power, biofuels, available in the categories The program enables people with fuels utilization, solar industrial described on the next page. new ideas and talents to con- technologies, solar thermal Appointment periods, application tribute to research of mutual electric, hydrogen, geothermal procedures, and funding options interest at the Laboratory while power, superconductivity, vary with the type of category. Salary rates are competitive on undergraduate students, and generally with 4-12 years experi- a national scale. Participants 30 hours per week for graduate ence, opportunities to apply their are paid according to their job cat- students during the academic year. training or specialized background egory, discipline, and experience. U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent to topics of research in the science Student compensation rates are residency is required. and technology of renewable determined by their major and energy. Initial appointments range number of credit hours completed Postdoctoral from one month to one year. in the semester ending prior to Researchers However, these positions may employment. This category is designed to pro- be extended to a maximum of vide recent (generally within three three years. TYPES OF or fewer years) Ph.D. graduates with practical training in science Sabbaticals APPOINTMENTS and engineering. The qualified The sabbatical category is Student Internships graduate will have demonstrated designed for senior scientists or This category is designed for superior abilities and interest in engineers with established records undergraduate and graduate research and development areas of research productivity and students who are enrolled full time related to NREL's mission. Initial accomplishments who are on in a U.S. college or university, have appointments are generally for one leave from an academic, business, successfully completed at least the year. However, extensions to these or governmental institution. The sophomore year of school by June appointments may be granted participants must meet NREL's of the current year, and plan to based on programmatic need and conflict-of-interest requirement. continue full-time education the funding availability to a maximum Participants’ employers will pay all following fall term. Students can of three years. or partial expenses. Appointments do not generally extend beyond work 40 hours per week during Research Associates the summer and breaks, a maxi- one year in duration. This category provides scientists, mum of 25 hours per week for engineers, and other professionals, Senior Research National Bioenergy Electric & Hydrogen Associates Center: Technologies & Biochemical engineering, Systems Center: This category is designed for microbiology, molecular biology, Chemical engineering and the senior scientist or engineer chemistry, and chemical engi- systems analysis. with more than 12 years of neering related to biomass experience and with an estab- Renewable Energy and derived products. lished record of research pro- Resources: ductivity and accomplishments. National Wind Radiometry, atmospheric Appointments range from one Technology Center: science, meteorology, climatol- month to one year. Aerospace, mechanical, and ogy, remote sensing, metrology, electrical engineering; and and Geographic Information Note: Other types of appointments meteorology. Systems (GIS). may be available. Contact NREL's Human Resources Office for Buildings and Transportation additional information. Thermal Systems: Technologies and Physics, mechanical engineering Systems: NREL's Research (emphasis on heat transfer), and Mechanical and chemical Programs and General architectural engineering. engineering. Degree Requirements Center for Basic Research Support: Participants in the program Sciences: Some appointments available for generally pursue studies in Physics, materials science, finance; accounting; computer the following fields: chemistry, electrical engineering, science; environment, safety, National Center for and biological sciences. and health; program manage- ment; technology transfer; Photovoltaics: Computational Physics; chemistry; materials Sciences Center: environmental and energy appli- science; and electrical and Computer science, mathematics, cations; and energy analysis. chemical engineering. physics, computational biophysics, and bioinformatics. For more detailed information Distributed Energy: on NREL's research programs, Powers systems engineering, visit our Web site: electrical engineering, and http://www.nrel.gov/hr/ mechanical engineering. employment/rpp REFERENCE TABLE

Submission Category Eligibility Transportation Application and Housing Deadline Requirements

Undergraduate Must be enrolled in a May be eligible for round- April of the same Resume, cover letter and Graduate minimum of 12 credit trip transportation for year for summer stating areas of Student hours as an under- participant only. employment. interest, and prior Internships graduate and 9 credit semester school hours as a graduate Not eligible for a housing Also accept transcripts (do not student. allowance. applications for need to be official). academic year Must be U.S. citizen as positions Include requisition or U.S. permanent become number on resume if resident. available. applying for a specific open position. Preferred minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last completed semester.

Postdoctoral Must be a recent Ph.D. May be eligible for one- Accepted all Resume with list Researcher graduate. way transportation for year for possible of publications participant and family placement and a cover letter (if applicable). and for specific stating areas of open positions. interest. May be eligible for benefits. Include requisition number on resume if applying for a specific open position.

Research Senior scientist, May be eligible for round- Accepted all Resume with a list Associate engineer or other trip transportation for year for possible of publications (if professional with participant and family placement and applicable) and a 4Ð12 years of (if applicable). for specific open cover letter stating experience. positions. areas of interest. May be eligible for a housing allowance. Include requisition number on resume if applying for a specific open position.

Sabbatical Senior scientist, May be eligible for round- Accepted all Resume, cover letter engineer or other trip transportation for year for stating areas of professional who is on participant and family possible interest, and letter leave from their home (if applicable). placement. of financial support institution. Participant’s from home institution. home institution will pay May be eligible for a all or partial expenses. housing allowance.

Senior Distinguished scientist, May be eligible for round- Accepted all Resume with a list Research engineer or other trip transportation for year for possible of publications and Associate professional with more participant and family placement. cover letter stating than 12 years of (if applicable). areas of interest. experience. May be eligible for a housing allowance. JOB OFFER TRANSPORTATION LIVING INFORMATION AND HOUSING ACCOMMODATIONS Once selected, participants Depending on the type of Research participants are will be extended a job offer by appointment (see table for responsible for finding their NREL’s Human Resources eligibility), participants may own housing during the length Office. When the job offer is be reimbursed for the lesser of their appointment. NREL's accepted, details (such as the of airfare or mileage to NREL. Human Resources Office can start date) are confirmed and Transportation and housing provide information on apart- a formal job offer packet with allowance do not apply to ments and rooms for rent in additional information is sent participants in the local area the local area to assist in the to the participant. (within 50 miles of NREL). search. Relocation costs are not Applications are accepted Visit http://www.nrel.gov/hr/ reimbursed. Transportation until April of the same year for employment/rpp for open costs for foreign national summer internships, and con- positions and temporary appointments are eligible for tinuously throughout the year housing information. partial reimbursement. for all other categories.

Mail Applications/Resumes to: NREL is an Equal Opportunity NREL — Human Resources Office Employer and is proud of its Research Participant Program commitment to diversity. 1617 Cole Boulevard Participation in the Research Golden, CO 80401-3393 Participant Program does not create an obligation to NREL or participants with regard to subsequent regular employment.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory 1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, Colorado 80401-3393 303-275-3000 ¥ www.nrel.gov Operated for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy by Midwest Research Institute ¥ Battelle NREL/BR-340-35421 ¥ March 2004

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