Microwave Properties and Modeling
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) offers a student researcher internship hosted by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) at the Morgantown, WV campus. Work includes microwave-material studies, property measurements, and SOP development under mentorship.
Open to undergraduates, recent Bachelor's, and Master's graduates. Participants gain hands-on experience, contribute to publications, and interact with world-class scientists while developing data-quality
Qualifications
- Currently pursuing or recently completed an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or related field.
- Experience with data analysis and experimental methodology.
- Experience with dielectric and/or thermal property measurements is preferred.
Responsibilities
- Investigate microwave–material interactions and microwave heating principles.
- Measure dielectric properties, thermal conductivity, specific heat, density, and porosity of diverse materials.
- Develop and document SOPs for material characterization and measurement systems.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL)
National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL)
NETL-PIP-2026-Shekhawat
12/31/2026 11:59:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
The National Energy Technology Laboratory's (NETL's) record of success has been built on understanding the future of energy and the technologies required to make that future possible. We’ve long touted our success in developing the technologies that took on acid rain in the 1970s and mercury in the early 2000s.
The Professional Internship Program is designed to introduce undergraduate students and recent Bachelor's graduates to the challenges of conducting energy research, and enable graduate students and recent Master's graduates to further build off their studies and experience as they join the scientific community. Participants interact daily with assigned mentors who guide research and project activities during the internship, while they become integral members of project teams.
The program goals include providing the opportunity to participants to:
- Develop skills and knowledge in their field of study
- Engage with new areas of basic and applied research
- Transition classroom theory into hands‑on experience
- Network with world‑class scientists
- Exchange ideas and skills with the Laboratory community
- Use state‑of‑the‑art equipment
- Contribute to answers for today’s pressing scientific questions
- Collaborate with the broader scientific and technical communities
Through the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), this posting seeks a student researcher, recent Bachelor's graduate, or recent Master's graduate to engage in projects with the Research Innovation Center (RIC) at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) in the area of Coal Conversion & Products under the mentorship of Dushyant Shekhawat. This project will be hosted at the NETL Morgantown, WV campus.
The Center for Microwave Chemistry is developing state‑of‑the‑art microwave‑based processes for a wide range of chemical and process applications, including catalysis, hydrocarbon conversion, fuels and chemical synthesis, and critical mineral extraction. The development of accurate models for process design and scale‑up requires reliable characterization of material properties relevant to microwave heating. NETL is equipped with advanced materials characterization capabilities, and the participant will investigate microwave‑relevant properties of a diverse range of materials, including, but not limited to, catalysts, ceramics, semiconductors, ores, solvents, and newly synthesized materials. The research will include measuring dielectric properties at elevated temperatures, thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity, density, porosity, and other relevant material properties. The participant will also analyze and interpret characterization data to identify trends, evaluate reproducibility and measurement reliability, and develop a fundamental understanding of material behavior under relevant conditions. An additional component of the research will be collaborating on the development and documentation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the various material characterization and measurement systems to ensure consistent, reliable, and reproducible measurements.
- Gain a fundamental understanding of microwave–material interactions and the principles governing microwave heating, providing a foundation for understanding the design and development of microwave‑assisted processes.
- The research is expected to generate opportunities for peer‑reviewed publications and presentations at national and international technical conferences.
Participants receive a biweekly stipend based on their educational level. Stipend payments are taxable as an educational benefit. Stipends for full‑time participation are:
- $788 per week for undergraduate students
- $1225.50 per week for recent Bachelor's graduates
- $1499 per week for graduate students and recent Master's graduates
To document the effectiveness of the program, participants are required to submit a pre‑appointment and post‑appointment survey, as well as a reflection on their appointment experience when they renew or end their appointment. The reflection should summarize their project(s), additional activities, and overall experience. Details are provided as the appointment end date approaches.
Participants may also have the opportunity to contribute to manuscripts, journal articles, book chapters, conference presentations, posters, patents, and other publications as a part of their appointment. Such achievements should also be reported to ORISE; additional details are provided after an offer has been accepted.
The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory system, is owned and operated by the DOE. NETL supports the DOE mission to advance the energy security of the United States. This is an educational opportunity offered by NETL and administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education. Participants in the program are not considered employees of NETL, DOE, the program administrator, or any other office or agency.
- Currently pursuing or recently received an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or a related field.
- Experience with data analysis and experimental methodology.
- Experience with dielectric and/or thermal property measurements is preferred.
- Strong attention to detail, thoroughness, and commitment to data quality and reproducibility.
- Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and operate laboratory instrumentation.
- Experience with programming, automation, or developing macros to streamline and improve measurement workflows is desirable.
- Familiarity with computational modeling tools such as COMSOL Multiphysics or ANSYS is a plus.
- Have one of the following academic statuses
- An undergraduate student*1 in good standing at a regionally accredited college/university*2
- A recent Bachelor's degree graduate*1 who has received their Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college/university*2 within the last 60 months before the intended appointment start date
- A graduate student in good standing at a regionally accredited college/university
- A recent Master’s degree graduate who has received their Master’s degree from a regionally accredited college/university within the last 60 months before the intended appointment start date
- Have an overall GPA of 3.0/4.0 or higher
- Be at least 18 years of age at the time of application
- Provide confirmation of coverage under a health insurance plan prior to the beginning of the internship
- 1 Soon‑to‑be Associate's degree graduates are eligible to apply if enrolled as a student at time of application.
- 2 Students and recent Bachelor's degree graduates from accredited Community Colleges and Technical Schools are encouraged to apply.
Jordan
- Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
- Degree: Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree.
- Minimum Overall GPA: 3.00
- Discipline(s):
- Chemistry and Materials Sciences (Analytical Chemistry
- Bio‑inorganic Chemistry
- Bio‑organic Chemistry
- Biophysical Chemistry
- Chemistry (General)
- Environmental Chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Materials Sciences
- Organic Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry
- Polymer Chemistry
- Theoretical Chemistry
- Communications and Graphics Design (2)
- Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17)
- Earth and Geosciences (21)
- Engineering (29)
- Environmental and Marine Sciences (14)
- Life Health and Medical Sciences (51)
- Mathematics and Statistics (11)
- Physics (16)
- Science & Engineering‑related (2)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (29)
- Age: Must be 18 years of age
I Certify At The Time Of Application That I Meet At Least One Of The Following Academic Status Eligibility Criteria, At a Regionally Accredited Academic Institution
- I am currently pursuing an undergraduate degree.
- I received a Bachelor's degree no more than 60 months before the intended appointment start date.
- I am currently pursuing a Master's degree.
- I received a Master’s degree no more than 60 months before the intended appointment start date.
- I am currently pursuing a doctoral degree.
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