Posting Title

Research Group Manager-Biochemistry and Bioconversion

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Location

CO - Golden

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Position Type

Regular

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Hours Per Week

40

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COVID-19 Safety Protocols

Employment at NREL is contingent upon your compliance with all NREL and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) safety protocols and mitigation efforts directed at the COVID-19 pandemic.

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 eight 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

This Group Manager (GM) position will lead the Biochemistry and Bioconversion Group within NREL's Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center (RRES) of the BioEnergy Science and Technology (BEST) directorate. This group primarily focuses on (1) discovery, biochemical characterization and optimization on microbial enzymes useful in bioconversion processes and (2) and in developing and optimizing bioconversion processes involving fermentation of biomass derivatives and other waste carbon sources to valuable fuels and chemicals.

The GM will lead a group of 15- 25 individuals including scienti?c and engineering research professionals, administrative support, postdoctoral researchers, student interns and visiting scientists. Candidates must have demonstrated independent research during their career broadly within the biological sciences but preferably specific in the fields of  biochemistry, and bioconversion processes, and a demonstrated broad knowledge of related scientific disciplines. The candidate’s experience should be backed by high-quality peer-reviewed publications, successful research proposals, and experience or training in personnel management. The GM will be expected to apply these skills to technical and project management, strategic planning, and the advancement of a safe and secure work environment. In their role, the GM will recruit and retain outstanding talent, provide mentorship, guidance, and career development to group members, support a diverse workforce, provide strategic direction for business and capability development, and contribute to proposal development for a large range of sponsors, particularly the Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s (EERE) BioEnergy Technologies Office (BETO) and other EERE programs, DOE-Of?ce of Science, Department of Defense, and industry.

The GM will lead and maintain a culture of safety as a core value in their group. This will require the prompt establishment of a deep knowledge of all relevant NREL safety procedures and processes as well as an awareness of all hazards to which their direct reports are exposed. The successful candidate will work closely with the RRES Center leadership and the leadership in the BEST Directorate to identify and develop new capabilities and to steward existing capabilities. The GM will ensure that the research group remains at the leading edge of research and relevant to the activities of the RRES center and other Directorates at NREL.

It is estimated that managerial responsibilities will require approximately 35% of a full-time position.  The remaining 65% will need to be filled by managing or engaging in research projects.  Accordingly, the successful candidate will have a demonstrated track record of obtaining funding and proven expertise in demonstrating research innovation in the broad realm of biological sciences but preferably in the fields of biochemistry and/or bioconversion processes.  Additionally, the successful candidate will have demonstrated previous success as a principal investigator and collaborating on diverse research projects.

Speci?c required skills are :

• Previous experience in project or personnel management including budget development and demonstrated leadership in an individual contributor role.
• Bachelor’s degree relevant to biochemistry and/or fermentation sciences (biochemistry, molecular genetics, molecular biology, microbiology).
• Advanced M.S. or Ph.D degree preferred in related fields. Demonstrated ability to write compelling scienti?c research proposals.
• Demonstrated ability to write high impact peer reviewed scienti?c manuscripts.
• Ability and desire to manage legal and ethical issues within a team of professionals.
• Ability to mentor and coach regular staff, postdoctoral scientists, and interns.
• Current and in-depth knowledge of the newest technologies for enzymatic characterization and improvement, biomass and waste carbon transformation and/or fermentation processes.
• Excellent organization, project management, budgeting, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proven problem-solving and negotiation skills.
• Ability to collaborate with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and direct personnel with diverse skills, work styles and values, both directly and through subordinate management.
• Demonstrated skill in interpreting and assessing the experimental results of their own work and that of others.
• Will manage the group at 35% effort and participate in research at 65% effort, thus will be expected to actively lead and conduct research and pursue funding opportunities in their area of expertise.

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Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree and 9-years’ experience in technically related research discipline; Or, Master’s Degree and 7-years’ experience in technically related research discipline; Or, PhD and 4-years’ experience in technically related research discipline.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

Group Manager II Level Requirements :

• Previous experience in project or personnel management including budget development and/or demonstrated leadership in an individual contributor role.
• Research background and foundation in microbiology, bioconversion and/or biochemistry.
• Demonstrated independent research during their scientific career in biochemistry or bioconversion processes
• Strong track record of high-quality peer-reviewed publications, successful research proposals, and time spent in project and personnel management.
• Demonstrated ability to write compelling scienti?c research proposals. Ability to manage legal and ethical issues within a team of professionals. Ability to mentor and coach regular staff, postdoctoral scientists, and interns.
• Current and in-depth knowledge of the newest technologies for biomass and waste carbon process development.
• Demonstrated skill in interpreting and assessing the experimental results of their own work and that of others.
• Excellent organization, project management, budgeting, interpersonal and communication skills. Proven problem-solving and negotiation skills.
• Ability to collaborate with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and direct personnel with diverse skills, work styles and values, both directly and through subordinate management.
• Demonstrated ability to make appropriate decisions regarding work activities and projects. Proven track record of business development and healthy pipeline of projects, and funding.
• Desire to engage with industry partners and build strategic external relationships for future R&D opportunities.
• Proven ability to leverage internal resources - ?nance department, communications team, HR members and support staff.

Group Manager III Level Requirements :

• All the above, plus...
• Advanced Master’s or PhD degree.
• Significant formal personnel management experience with direct reports.
• Full knowledge of other disciplines related to the circular economy from a biotechnological perspective.
• Known in the research community as a technical resource and expert both internally and externally, especially in biochemical and fermentation process development and the recycling of carbon.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Quali?cations

• PhD in biochemistry, microbiology or related field.
• Strong background in microbial enzymes and/or bioconversion processes.
• Experience managing and leading a research group.
• Demonstrated success in obtaining funding for research projects.
• Experience collaborating with industry partners, academic institutions, national laboratories and government agencies.
• Knowledge of safety procedures and hazards associated with biological research.

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Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)
Job Profile: Group Research Manager II / Annual Salary Range: $111,600 - $200,900

Job Profile: Group Research Manager III / Annual Salary Range: $134,100 - $241,400

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

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.

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EEO Policy

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