Protein Engineering Internship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Posting TitlePost-Undergraduate Intern (Year-Round) Chemist / Biochemist

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LocationCO - Golden

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Position TypeIntern (Fixed Term)

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Hours Per Week40

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Working at NLRNLR 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 Bioenergy Science and Technology (BEST) directorate within the National Renewable Energy Lab (NLR) performs a full range of research from exploring biomass at the molecular level through biorefinery process optimization to bring biofuels and bio-products to market. The directorate's research encompasses multiple areas including biochemical processes, synthesis, processing, separations, analysis, and characterization.

The Separation Sciences and Engineering Group focuses on developing and scaling separation technologies for a wide range of molecules, from bio-derived and chemically synthesized products, through to critical minerals including rare-earth elements from domestic waste feedstocks. Our goal is to improve process efficiency, selectivity, and techno-economic viability and our work is conducted in close collaboration with fermentation, catalysis, polymer synthesis, and techno-economic analysis teams. The group emphasizes translating fundamental separation science into practical, scalable solutions.

This internship position is hiring for full-time work on-site with NLR's Separation Science and Engineering group starting in June or July of 2026. As a year-round internship, the ideal candidate will be available for a one-year internship commitment, immediately post-undergraduate or Masters completion. The successful candidate will support research efforts by contributing to laboratory-based separation experiments and custom separation equipment development including:

• benchtop wet chemistry and sample preparation
• chemical and/or protein purification
• multi-scale chromatography
• electrochemical separations
• assembly and modification of separation systems
• exposure to programming (e.g., python or rust) and support automation of custom separation systems

The ability to conduct laboratory experiments with minimal supervision, with the utmost regard to safety is required. Adaptability and an aptitude for learning are critical in this role. This is an excellent opportunity for a student invested in the NLR mission who desires relevant laboratory experience in preparation for graduate school or a career in the chemical industry.

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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 Qualifications

Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a Bachelor's degree program or have graduated within the past 12 months. Internship period cannot exceed 12 months past graduation. 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.

Demonstrated general laboratory experience and exposure to analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, and/or biochemistry

Attention to detail, a fast learner, and have excellent time management skills

Work well with a variety of personality types with various levels of technical backgrounds

Demonstrated experience following Standard Lab Safety Procedures and setting a safe example

Be willing to take direction and work independently to support team goals

Preferred Qualifications

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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: $39,600 - $63,400

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 SummaryBenefits 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.

* Based on eligibility rules

Badging RequirementNLR 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.

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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

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