Intern, R&D Undergraduate Year Round - Photovoltaics & Materials Tech, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 24,797,000 - 35,818,000; Part time

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM, is seeking an undergraduate intern to support battery and materials research within the Photovoltaics & Materials Tech Department. The role involves synthesis, purification, characterization, and electrochemical testing of advanced materials, with regular lab documentation and training completion.

Onsite work is required. The internship emphasizes chemistry, materials science or chemical engineering, and offers flexible hours (up to 25/wk in the

Qualifications

• Currently attending and 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 during the summer.
• U.S. citizens, permanent residents, asylees or refugees in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Synthesize new organic, inorganic, and/or organic/inorganic materials.
• Purify and characterize materials by various analytical techniques.
• Assemble electrodes into batteries and test performance using electrochemical methods.
• Document all preparations in the SNL Lab Notebook.
• Assist in lab setup, maintenance, inventory, and day-to-day tasks.
• Complete required training as directed by SNL.
• Present/report results as required.

Education

Science, Engineering, or Math major

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

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Job assignments vary upon organization, discipline preference, and specific job requirements as defined in the job specification.

Duties may include assisting technical staff with developmental research, analysis of technology and engineering options, project design, testing, formulating conclusions, data collection, and analyzing experimental data.

Job Specifications:

This internship involves the synthesis and characterization of organic, inorganic and organic/inorganic composites to be utilized in a number of battery and materials efforts underway of relevance to Sandia. Analysis of synthesized materials for their performance as electrocatalysts and/or battery electrodes will also be performed. Specific tasks include:

Syntheses of new organic, inorganic and/or inorganic molecules/materials

Purification and characterization of these materials by a variety of analytical techniques

The assembly of electrodes into batteries and testing the performance using electrochemical methods.

Documentation of all preparations using approved record keeping methods (i.e. SNL Lab Notebook)

Assistance in lab setup, general lab maintenance, inventory, dishes, cleaning, ordering etc. as needed

Completion and compliance with all required training as directed by SNL

Present/Report results as required. The position would best suit a student with an interest in chemical engineering, chemistry or materials science.

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

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:

Currently pursuing a degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field

Experience using Microsoft Excel for data organization, analysis, and reporting

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 & Materials Tech Department, part of Sandia's Renewable Energy Technologies Group, conducts research and development and applies real world solutions to increase the viability of sustainable and clean energy systems. Research focuses on solar energy photovoltaics (PV), materials chemistry, and device integration for energy generation and energy efficiency. We apply PV and materials research to the following areas: PV cell technologies including Si, CdTe and CIGS thin films, and emerging technologies (i.e., perovskites), advanced PV module designs (i.e., bifacial, split cells conformable), and PV + Storage.

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.

• 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