Intern, R&D Undergraduate Year Round - Materials Chemistry Lab, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; California; On-site; USD 21,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories seeks a year‑round R&D Undergraduate Intern in the Materials Chemistry Lab. You will contribute to chemical synthesis/characterization for energy applications, maintain the lab, manage chemicals, and assist with sample prep for spectroscopy, diffraction and electron microscopy at Sandia and DOE user facilities.

The role requires onsite work. During the academic year, focus is on lab maintenance and chemical management; in summer, shift to synthesis/characterization

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled full-time in an accredited undergraduate program
• Pursuing a science, engineering, or math major
• Minimum GPA 3.0/4.0

Responsibilities

• Perform synthesis and characterization of air-sensitive materials and composites
• Review literature data for databases
• Perform peroxide testing
• Assist with sample preparation for spectroscopy, diffraction and electron microscopy experiments
• Provide general laboratory support and maintenance

Skills

Lab maintenance

Chemical management

Synthesis

Characterization

Data presentation

Education

Undergraduate student

Science/Engineering/Math major

Tools

MS Office

Spectroscopy equipment

Job description

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Intern, R&D Undergraduate Year Round - Materials Chemistry Lab, Onsite

We are seeking a year-round intern for laboratory maintenance, chemical management, and to support a project on chemical synthesis/characterization for energy applications. During the academic year, the intern will focus primarily on lab maintenance and chemical management, while during the summer, the role will shift to primarily synthesis, characterization, and R&D-focused work. Comprehensive training will be provided on safe handling and protocols for various classes of chemicals, including specialized techniques for air-sensitive materials.

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

Perform synthesis and characterization of air-sensitive materials and composites, review and assessment of literature data for incorporation in databases

Perform peroxide testing

Perform experiments and general laboratory support functions

Assist with sample preparation for spectroscopy, diffraction, and electron microscopy experiments at Sandia and at DOE User Facilities.

Due to the nature of this work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

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 (https://www.sandia.gov/app/uploads/sites/51/2024/12/Student-Rate-Sheet-2025.docx) .

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 an accredited undergraduate program

Pursuing a science, engineering, or math major

Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0

Ability to work up to 25 hours per week during the academic year, and 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:

Enrolled in an engineering, mathematics or physical sciences program

Familiarity with MS Office software and graphical presentation of data

Experience with chemical synthesis procedures or characterization of materials

Self-motivated and able to carefully follow directions and work independently.

Posting Duration:

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

About Our Team:

The Energy Materials Physics Department at Sandia is a multidisciplinary research organization specializing in the synthesis and characterization of novel materials for energy and national security applications. Projects in the department's research portfolio seek to understand and engineer materials that enable advanced energy technologies by linking atomic-scale structure, defects, and interfaces to macroscopic transport and performance in extreme environments. It encompasses discovery and optimization of materials for hydrogen storage and separations, including metal hydrides, high-entropy alloys, porous media, and getter materials for hydrogen isotopes, as well as development of plasma-facing and containment materials for next-generation fusion and fission reactors. Researchers also study plasma-materials interactions and employ surface-sensitive techniques, including low energy ion scattering, to probe composition and structure in the outermost atomic layers, and use ion implantation to tailor near-surface chemistry and defect populations.

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 vacation, 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. Under federal law, citizens and agents of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation are generally prohibited from accessing Sandia National Laboratories. Accordingly, such individuals will not be considered for employment unless they are also a citizen of the United States.

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.

• Close proximity to first-tier universities, Silicon Valley companies, and other top research laboratories and facilities
• Access to California’s finest public and private schools
• At Sandia, recruiters manually review resumes on each job posting instead of using a resume screening software program
• By following the best practices outlined, this ensures that recruiters can accurately determine your qualifications for the position