Employment
Employment Opportunities
At WRI, you’ll find an environment where career achievement is paired with the best of Rocky Mountain living. Laramie is a relaxed college town with unmatched access to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the West.
Our current job openings are below.
R&D Process Engineer - Sustainable Emerging Technologies
Western Research Institute (WRI), a leading research and technology development company located in Laramie, Wyoming, seeks a creative and enthusiastic individual to join the research and development team at the Sustainable Emerging Technology (SET) center. A team devoted to safe technology development with specialization in advancing emerging technologies from bench scale through pilot scale studies for deployment at the commercial demonstration scale..
Brief Description of Duties: Position requires an interest in process development studies, as well as chemical/hydrocarbon processing and analysis. The candidate will be required to cross train in both process development and chemical analysis disciplines. The candidate will be a member of a research and development team and will work closely with both team members and industrial clients. Must be willing to learn as well as interact with team members to solve problems as they are encountered. Occasional shift work is required.
The candidate is responsible to the Program Director at SET and will be an active participant in the execution of pilot plant processing experiments; research equipment maintenance, modification, and design of pilot scale processing equipment, as well as product/feedstock chemical analysis. The candidate will assist in operation of process equipment, the collection and evaluation of experimental data, providing the results in a useable form to other members of the research team, and conducting laboratory analysis of feedstocks and products. The candidate will be encouraged to generate new ideas, processing concepts, and processing upgrades within a team environment. The candidate may also be asked to explore new concepts under the potential of future work projects.
Minimum Qualifications: Position requires a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or closely related discipline with an understanding of organic and analytical chemistries. One or more year’s job related experience in chemical engineering or closely related discipline is a plus. Position requires a demonstrated level of understanding of physical and engineering science skills, mechanical skills, good written and oral communication skills, proficiency with the English language, and aptitude with computer applications including; Microsoft Office and other graphic display and data treatment programs. A valid US driver’s license is required. Candidate must also be creative, enthusiastic, exude a positive attitude, and work well in a team culture.
The salary range for the position is $50,000-$80,000, depending on qualifications and experience.
Submit resume and cover letter to Michelle D. Holmes, Human Resources Manager at mholmes1@uwyo.edu.
Position is open until filled.
Technician/Senior Technician - Sustainable Emerging Technologies
Western Research Institute (WRI), a leading research and technology development company located in Laramie, Wyoming, seeks a motivated and skilled individual with good mechanical aptitude. The current opening is a full-time position with benefits. The team at the Sustainable Emerging Technology (SET) center is devoted to safe technology development with specialization in advancing emerging technologies from bench scale through pilot scale studies for deployment at the commercial demonstration scale.
Brief Description of Duties: Position will entail analyses of hydrocarbon samples collected from the pilot plant using ASTM standard procedures and in-house developed methods. Skills with both instrumental and wet chemical procedures are desirable. The employee will be required to conduct the analysis of samples, record the result, report the results to the professional staff, and maintain a clean and safe laboratory environment. Individual needs to have a strong work ethic, which is supported with hard work and self-motivation.
Minimum Qualifications: A two-year associate degree from a post-secondary education institution in a physical or biological sciences discipline and one or more years of experience demonstrating laboratory skills or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired is necessary. Must be available for shift work. Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel is required.
The starting salary is $18 to $22 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience.
Submit resume to Michelle D. Holmes, Human Resources Manager at mholmes1@uwyo.edu.
Position is open until filled.
Lead Technician - Asphalt & Petroleum Technologies
Western Research Institute (WRI), a leading research and technology development company located in Laramie, Wyoming, seeks an organized, detail-oriented and responsive individual to join the Asphalt & Petroleum Technologies Business Unit.
Brief Description of Duties: Candidate will be required to perform proper cataloguing, preserving, and shipping of samples, mixing and pouring of hot asphalt, high shear mixing of hot asphalt and other blending, loading reactors, using a fluidized sand bath, use high temperature and high pressure equipment, lift reactors up to 50 lbs, cleaning of reactors and other equipment, working with pumps, performing distillations, performing filtrations, solvent removal with a rotary evaporator, working with liquid nitrogen and dry ice, perform organic synthesis, operate other analytical testing and mechanical testing equipment. Maintenance and troubleshooting of experimental apparatuses and laboratory equipment is required as necessary. Responsible for recording observations, maintaining a well-organized laboratory notebook, data analysis and reporting, and cleaning. A strong chemistry and analytical aptitude, and ability to routinely work with flammable solvents, is necessary. Primary analytical duties consist of running thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry on a wide range of materials for a variety of projects.
Under the direction of the project manager or designee, the technician will perform experiments, sample testing and assist in data analysis for reporting requirements. Will also participate with other team members in assessing solutions to experimental designs and testing issues.
Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, chemistry or closely related discipline. Laboratory research and working with high temperature experiments is preferred. Exceptional candidates with an associate degree and relevant lab experience may also be considered. Strong verbal and written communication skills with fluency in Word and Excel are necessary. Candidate must work well in a team culture, be willing to work with a variety of toxic and flammable solvents, easily lift 50 pounds, and wear personal protective equipment (gloves and safety glasses).
The minimum starting pay is $20.50 per hour and will be determined based on experience.
Submit resume and cover letter to Michelle D. Holmes, Human Resources Manager at mholmes1@uwyo.edu.
Deadline: November 19, 2021
WRI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.