EEIP PhD Intern - Energy Processes & Materials at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Wayne State University; Richland (WA); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development opportunities

Networking with scientists

Job summary

A research laboratory in sustainable energy is offering a paid summer internship for PhD candidates. Interns will engage in high-impact research, contribute to energy sustainability projects, and benefit from professional development opportunities. Candidates with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and relevant STEM degrees are encouraged to apply. The internship offers hands-on experience and professional networking aimed at accelerating careers in science and engineering.

Qualifications

• Candidates must be currently enrolled/matriculated in a PhD program at an accredited college.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.
• Preferred education in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or Chemistry.

Responsibilities

• Join a research team to contribute to high-impact projects.
• Participate in professional development and networking throughout the summer.
• Engage in various focus areas in energy and environment.

Skills

Research experience

Problem-solving

Collaboration

Education

Currently enrolled in a PhD program

STEM degree

Job description

Responsibilities

Are you interested in making the world a better place while gaining valuable research experience to launch your career?

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is seeking undergraduate students passionate about creating a sustainable energy future through science and engineering to join us for a 10 week paid summer internship as part of the Energy and Environment Internship Program (EEIP).

Participants will begin in cohort sessions and must be available to start on May 26, 2026 or June 16, 2026 as part of the Summer 2026 cohort.

If your background or interests align with chemistry, materials science, nuclear engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or computer science, this internship places you at the center of high-impact research.

Research Focus Areas

Interns will contribute to projects within one of the following areas:

• Experimental and Computational Engineering
  Multiphase fluid dynamics, heat transport, structural and safety analysis, nuclear radiation modeling, reactive transport, and nuclear material storage and transportation
• Irradiation Sciences
  Irradiated materials characterization, dosimetry, and radiation effects
• Nuclear Chemistry and Engineering
  Radiochemical process engineering, separations, and conversion technologies
• Radiological Materials
  Waste‑form development, vitrification and immobilization, glass and materials science, cementitious materials, process development, and off‑gas capture and immobilization
• Reactor Materials and Mechanical Design
  Stress corrosion cracking, post‑irradiation and non‑destructive examination, advanced materials characterization, computational materials science and data analytics, and electro‑mechanical hardware design

The Internship Experience

PNNL interns are fully integrated into research teams and supported through The Gold Experience, a summer‑long program that includes professional development, networking with scientists and engineers across the lab, and exposure to the full breadth of PNNL’s research mission.

This internship is designed to accelerate your growth as a researcher and help you envision long‑term career paths in national laboratory science. Many students return for multiple summers, and a number successfully transition into full‑time roles at PNNL after graduation.

Why Apply?

• Gain hands‑on research experience in a national laboratory setting.
• Collaborate with top scientists and engineers in cutting‑edge research fields.
• Build professional connections that can support future career opportunities.

Positions are based in Richland and Seattle, WA. Work is primarily on‑site, with remote arrangements considered only in rare circumstances and strictly based on business need.

If you’re motivated to apply your skills to real‑world problems and gain hands‑on research experience that can shape your career, we encourage you to apply.

How to Apply

To have a complete application package, the (2) listed items below are required and must be uploaded correctly per the steps below for consideration:

Step 1:

Upload Resume or CV in "Resume" section only (note: If applying to multiple positions, the most recent resume uploaded will be used for all positions an applicant applies to).

Step 2:

Upload aCover Letter separately in "Additional Documents" section of the application titled " PhD Energy Processes & Materials EEIP Cover Letter".

• Cover letter should include: Statement of interest, reference relevant college courses, and relevant experience that may include extracurricular activities that have prepared you for this career.

If any of the components (resume and cover letter) are not uploaded per the instructions above, applications will be rejected and will no longer be considered. Electronic applications will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. (PST) on the posting close date.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Candidates must be currently enrolled/matriculated in a PhD program at an accredited college.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working toward a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) degree.
• Preferred education in Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering or
• Chemistry, Computational Science or Data Science.
• Preference will be given to candidates from programs with an emphasis on energy storage, catalysis, sustainable biofuel, carbon dioxide capture and conversion, or advanced manufacturing.