Intern, R&D Undergraduate Year-Round - Photovoltaics and Materials Technology (PMT), Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; New Mexico; On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM, is seeking an undergraduate intern for the Photovoltaics and Materials Technology (PMT) group onsite. You will assist in characterizing materials used in battery applications, focusing on surface area, porosity, and thermal properties and how they affect performance over time.

From day to day you will plan, design and run materials characterization, organize samples, collect data with instruments, and summarize results in Excel, Word and

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled full-time in an accredited undergraduate program.
• Pursuing a science, engineering, or math major.
• Minimum 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 in summer.
• U.S. citizenship eligibility for security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with staff to plan, design, set-up, and perform materials characterization.
• Organize and prioritize samples.
• Collect data using instruments such as surface area analyzers, DSC, and TGA.
• Process data in MS Excel and summarize in MS Word/PowerPoint.
• Maintain a clean, safe workspace and follow ES&H procedures.
• Work onsite as required by the position.

Skills

Microsoft Excel

Teamwork

Communication

Data analysis

Education

Undergraduate student in science/engineering/math

Tools

Surface area analyzer

DSC

TGA

Job description

Search for job title, job req id, military title, keywords

Search for City, State, Country, Zip Code

Intern, R&D Undergraduate Year-Round - Photovoltaics and Materials Technology (PMT), Onsite

We are seeking an undergraduate level student intern to assist in the characterization of materials used in battery applications. The work focuses on how changes in materials properties, mainly changes in surface area, porosity, and thermal properties, impact battery performance over time. The position would best suit a student with an interest in chemical engineering, chemistry, or materials science.

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

Collaborate with staff members to plan, design, set-up, and perform materials characterization.

Organize and prioritize samples.

Collect data using various scientific instruments (Surface area and pore size analyzer, differential scanning calorimeter, thermogravimetric analyzer, etc.)

Data processing/interpretation in MS Excel and summarizing data in MS Word and MS PowerPoint.

Maintain a clean/safe workspace

Perform weekly checks of safety equipment and following various corporate processes/procedures (e.g. hazardous waste disposal, reapplication requests, ES&H, etc.).

Due to the nature of the 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

Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship

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

Qualifications We Desire:

Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Microsoft Excel.

Chemistry, Materials Science, or Chemical Engineering major enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program.

Experience in a laboratory environment which might include operation and maintenance of laboratory instrumentation and/or maintaining a laboratory notebook.

Able to work in a team as well as independently with minimal supervision.

Good communication skills both written and oral.

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 Photovoltaics and Materials Technology (PMT) department develops and validates materials and technologies that improve the performance, reliability, and safety of photovoltaic and energy storage systems for energy and national security applications. Sandia focuses on emerging technologies and collaborates with dozens of companies and universities to develop and test new module architectures, tracking systems, integrated power electronics, encapsulants, and specialized coatings. We also develop materials, such as thermally stable polymers, electrodes, and electrolytes for advanced batteries and other applications. Our team applies HPC modeling and advanced indoor and outdoor testing capabilities to evaluate and predict system performance, degradation, and failure mechanisms.

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:

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. 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.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

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.

• Affordable housing, reasonable cost of living
• Minimal traffic congestion compared to larger cities
• 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