Biomass Processing Researcher

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Biomass Process Researcher to work on our Thermal Preprocessing team. Our team works a 9x80 schedule in Idaho Falls, Idaho with every other Friday off.

As a Biomass Processing Researcher, you will lead cutting-edge research to optimize biomass engineering to meet the quality specifications of various downstream thermochemical processes like gasification, pyrolysis, and hydrothermal liquefaction. Techniques used will involve size reduction using hammer mills, knife mills and other size reduction equipment alongside thermal processes like torrefaction or biochemical processes like storage with enzymes. A strong understanding of bulk solids flow and an ability to innovate in pathways outside biofuels, like using biomass dust for composites production will be part of the daily research activities. Additionally, analysis of supply chains, processing energy, and mass throughputs will be used to support technoeconomic and life cycle assessments. Researchers will collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, analyze data, design experiments, and publish impactful findings to support INL's mission of promoting sustainability and energy independence.

Responsibilities Include:

Decompose project objectives into defined and controlled design requirements.

Use design methodologies, technologies, and processes which are best practice for the technical discipline to

develop and define a design, and to validate that the design meets defined requirements.

Develop physics-based mathematical models of mechanical, chemical, and electrical systems to support and

verify design.

Maintain familiarity with and technical understanding of codes and standards applicable to the discipline.

Document the design (controlled and approved models, drawings, specifications, design descriptions) to

establish conformance with design requirements and applicable codes and standards.

Establish testing, inspection, and quality requirements to ensure technical features important to design functions

are maintained.

Oversee or otherwise ensure that fabrication, construction, assembly, and procurement are done in accordance

with the design.

Develop and maintain the assigned systems/equipment. Perform calculations related to the specifications of

project, including analysis and evaluation of location, material resources, and mechanical design.

Provide solutions to technical problems and recommendations for improvements in production activities. This

may include planning, design, and constructing manufacturing facilities and similar structures or production

processes.

Apply engineering principles to monitor and evaluate condition and operational performance of plant systems

related to mechanical engineering; recommend maintenance and repair standards and procedures, identify

vendor data, replacement, and spare parts; coordinate resources and priorities necessary to attain or maintain the

appropriate system condition.

Support and lead the development of new projects at the INL in area of specialty, including the development of

proposals and business plans.

Ensure any design modification meets the technical baseline requirements and applicable codes and regulations.

Recommend and initiate modifications to support programmatic missions and operational goals and lead

preparation of design efforts.

Develop, ensure adequacy of, and maintain configuration management of the technical baseline. Establish and

maintain configuration management of assigned system. Maintain cognizance of system/equipment status and

performance through review of operating logs and observation of operations.

Ensure consistency in operation characteristics among applicable documents such as drawings, technical manuals, operating instructions, emergency operating procedures.

Enhance technical/professional skills of junior engineering staff through mentoring and training.

Work with other designers, customers, and analysts to develop experiment requirements, perform conceptual and

final designs, follow all fabrication and inspection activities, lead experiment assembly activities, support

installation and testing of experiments, and support development of integrated analyses in order to ensure that

facility safety bases are met.

Lead the development of project specific documentation, such as checked and signed drawings. Check drawings

developed by others.

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

Level 1: Bachelor's degree from an ABET-accredited institution in Mechanical, Chemical, Environmental, Food, or Industrial Engineering and 0 years of experience

Level 2: Bachelor's degree from an ABET-accredited institution in Mechanical, Chemical, Environmental, Food, or Industrial Engineering and 2 years of experience.

Master's degree from an ABET-accredited institution in Mechanical, Chemical, Environmental, or Industrial Engineering and 0 years of experience.

PhD from an ABET-accredited institution in Mechanical, Chemical, Environmental, Food, or Industrial Engineering and 0 years of experience.

Job Information:

The pay range for this position is: Level 1 ($65,064 - $133,416) / Level 2 ($77,628 - $159,228). At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.

Multi-Level: This is a multi-level posting and you will be placed at the appropriate level dependent on depth and breadth of proven experience and skills.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel,

bend and work in an office and field/laboratory environment. The job requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type,

handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms. The job requires operation of job-related equipment

and driving a vehicle. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds without assistance. Sufficient

visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with the public is required. Reasonable

accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Benefits and Relocation

Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts

401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match

Paid time off (personal leave)

Employee Education Program (tuition assistance)

Comprehensive Relocation Package

Benefit eligibility subject multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.

INL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy’s mission in nuclear energy research, science, and national defense. With more than 5,000 scientists, researchers, and support staff, the laboratory works with national and international governments, universities and industry partners to discover new science and development technologies that underpin the nation’s nuclear and renewable energy, national security, and environmental missions.

INL Mission

Our mission is to discover, demonstrate and secure innovative nuclear energy solutions, other clean energy options and critical infrastructure.

INL Vision

Our vision is to change the world’s energy future and secure our nation’s critical infrastructure.

Selective Service Requirements

To be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). For more information see

Equal Employment Opportunity

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodation

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Other Information

When applying to positions please provide a resume and answer all questions on the following screens. Applicants, who fail to provide a resume or answer the questions, may be deemed ineligible for consideration.

INL does not accept resumes from third party vendors unsolicited.

Schedule: Full-time

Shift:

Travel: