What Your Job Will Be Like:

Are you passionate about hands-on physics and materials science research? If so, we invite you to apply to join Sandia’s Ceramics and Materials Physics department as an Undergraduate Intern. In this role, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams of scientists and engineers to tackle unique research challenges. As a department, we synthesize and characterize new materials and evaluate performance and reliability of electronic devices. Outstanding undergraduate students in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, and related fields of study are encouraged to apply.

You will have an opportunity to learn from and work with a diverse group of Sandia staff, technologists, postdocs, and fellow student interns. Sandia, and our department, highly value supporting interns in their professional and academic growth.

Our team has an opportunity for a summer undergraduate intern focused on processing of ceramic and composite materials for energy conversion, storage, and harvesting. Job responsibilities include performing synthesis of materials and forming composites; characterizing material properties such as viscosity, particle size, thermal analysis, phase identification with X-ray diffraction, microstructural analysis with optical and scanning electron microscopy; and compiling these results into presentations, memos, and publications for scientific journals. This internship is for hands-on laboratory work.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

Synthesize a new ceramic material

Create a new ceramic part using slurry casting and high temperature sintering

Collect and analyze data using advanced characterization techniques

Compile results into presentations, posters, memos, and publications for scientific journals

Support general laboratory needs

Required: Must be able to work on-site at Sandia NM

Salary Range:

At Sandia, we value the important work done by our interns and its contribution to National Security. Because of this, our interns earn competitive pay rates. Our pay structure is based on earned credit hours, classification, and degree level. Your pay rate will be determined during the hire process and included in your offer package. You can view the Intern Pay Rate chart here .

Qualifications We Require:

You bring the confidence and skills to be eligible for the job by meeting these minimum requirements:

Currently attending and enrolled full time in the spring term immediately preceding the internship (or scheduled to graduate in the spring) in an accredited undergraduate program

Pursuing a science, engineering, or math major

Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0

Ability to work up to 40 hours per week during the summer

U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, asylees or refugees in the U.S.

Note: If you have not earned a HS diploma or equivalent, please apply to a high school intern position.

Qualifications We Desire:

Pursuing an undergraduate degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or related field of study

Working knowledge and understanding of an engineering or science-related field as listed in the required section

Time management and organizational skills

Prior work experience. This prior experience need not be in a research environment; experience in service-oriented entry jobs is welcome as well

Introductory classes in materials, mechanics, and/or chemistry and/or experience with scientific instrumentation

Computer skills including Microsoft office, data analysis, reporting, and programming

Experience documenting and presenting work in reports, memos, and presentations

Hands-on mechanical and materials processing/synthesis skills

Posting Duration:

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the ‘posting date’. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

About Our Team:

The Ceramics Materials Physics Department provides innovation in the design, synthesis and development of advanced, multifunctional materials to satisfy unique needs in electronic, electrochemical, thermochemical, optical, catalytic, and structural applications. We control chemical and structural characteristics, from the nanoscale to the macroscale, in organic, inorganic and hybrid systems to explore new material constructs and strategies aimed at enhancing material performance. The multidisciplinary department conducts research and development for national security, energy climate, and nuclear deterrence, partnering with government, industry, and academic institutions. We work closely with component design and production groups to ensure electronic materials and devices function as intended. Research thrusts include passive and active materials for electronic, electromechanical, and photonic systems; materials for extreme environments (thermal, radiation, electric field, shock); and materials for renewable energy processes.

About Sandia:

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide

Extraordinary co-workers

Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world

Career advancement and enrichment opportunities

Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)

Generous vacations, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov*These benefits vary by job classification.

Security Clearance:

This position does not currently require a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance.

Sandia will conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Furthermore, employees in New Mexico need to pass a U.S. Air Force background screen for access to Kirtland Air Force Base. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause access to be denied or terminated, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

If hired without a clearance and it subsequently becomes necessary to obtain and maintain one for the position, or you bid on positions that require a clearance, a pre-processing background review may be conducted prior to a required federal background investigation. Applicants for a DOE security clearance need to be U.S. citizens. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Members of the workforce (MOWs) hired at Sandia who require uncleared access for greater than 179 days during their employment, are required to go through the Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) process. Access includes physical and/or cyber (logical) access, as well as remote access to any NNSA information technology (IT) systems. UPIV requirements are not applicable to individuals who require a DOE personnel security clearance for the performance of their SNL employment or to foreign nationals. The UPIV process will include the completion of a USAccess Enrollment, SF-85 (Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions) and OF-306 (Declaration of for Federal Employment). An unfavorable UPIV determination will result in immediate retrieval of the SNL issued badge, removal of cyber (logical) access and/or removal from SNL subcontract. All MOWs may appeal the unfavorable UPIV determination to DOE/NNSA immediately. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the MOW may try to go through the UPIV process one year after the decision date.

EEO:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs:

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.

Job ID: 694688

Job Family: 91

Regular/Temporary Position: T

Full/Part-Time Status: P