Materials Scientist Intern: Fusion Ceramics & Breeder Materials

Type One Energy Group; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Type One Energy Group in Knoxville, TN is seeking a Materials Scientist Summer Intern to support the development and manufacturing of advanced ceramic breeder materials for fusion energy systems. You will fabricate, characterize, and test lithium-containing ceramics, gaining hands-on lab experience from powder processing to high-temperature treatments.

You'll work with scientists and engineers on scalable manufacturing methods for ceramic breeder pebbles and components, contributing to fusion

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a degree in materials science and engineering, ceramic engineering, mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering, or related field.
• Rising juniors, seniors, graduate, and PhD students are encouraged to apply.
• Interest in ceramics, powder processing, manufacturing, and experimental materials development.
• Familiarity with phase transformations, diffusion, microstructure, and mechanical behavior.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Desire to work in a fast-paced startup R&D environment.
• Ability to work safely in a laboratory environment and follow established procedures.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Prior laboratory, undergraduate research, or internship experience involving ceramics, powders, metallurgy, or advanced materials.
• Experience with powder processing, pressing, extrusion, drop-tower fabrication, granulation, or sintering methods.
• Familiarity with SEM, optical microscopy, XRD, particle size analysis, or density measurements.
• Experience performing mechanical testing or thermo-mechanical characterization of materials.
• Experience using data analysis tools such as Python, MATLAB, Origin, or Excel.
• Interest in fusion energy, nuclear materials, advanced manufacturing, or clean energy technologies.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the fabrication of experimental lithium-containing ceramic breeder materials through powder processing, mixing, forming, sintering, and other ceramic processing operations.
• Participate in the production of ceramic breeder pebbles and other ceramic components using laboratory-scale manufacturing techniques.
• Operate and maintain high-temperature furnaces and thermal processing equipment used for calcination, sintering, and heat treatment.
• Support safe handling and processing of lithium-containing materials and associated laboratory chemicals.
• Perform materials characterization using density measurements, particle size analysis, optical and electron microscopy, XRD, and mechanical property testing.
• Conduct thermo-mechanical testing to evaluate material performance under conditions relevant to fusion energy applications.
• Build and operate high-vacuum equipment to fabricate and characterize new materials
• Collect, analyze, and interpret experimental data to assess processing-property relationships and identify opportunities for process improvement.
• Assist in developing and documenting standard operating procedures, experimental plans, and technical reports.
• Maintain organized laboratory records and contribute to a safe, clean, and efficient working environment.
• Present technical findings and project updates to the broader materials development team.

Job description

Type One Energy Group in Knoxville, TN is seeking a Materials Scientist Summer Intern to support the development and manufacturing of advanced ceramic breeder materials for fusion energy systems. You will fabricate, characterize, and test lithium-containing ceramics, gaining hands-on lab experience from powder processing to high-temperature treatments.

You'll work with scientists and engineers on scalable manufacturing methods for ceramic breeder pebbles and components, contributing to fusion