Undergraduate (Year-Round) Intern - Analytical Chemistry

National Laboratory of the Rockies; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 34,800 - 55,700; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match

Sick leave as required by law

Job summary

The National Laboratory of the Rockies is seeking an Undergraduate Intern for Analytical Chemistry in Golden, Colorado. This part-time intern role requires current enrollment in a chemistry or related degree program and offers hands-on experience with advanced analytical techniques. Interns will assist in data collection and laboratory maintenance while adhering to high safety standards. The position includes an annual salary between $34,800 and $55,700, along with medical insurance and other benefits depending on hours worked.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled full-time in a degree-granting program or graduated within the past 12 months.
• Some experience in instrumental analysis.
• Demonstrated significant attention to detail.
• Clear record-keeping skills with special attention to data traceability.
• Excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist senior team members in the preparation of samples for instrumental analysis.
• Perform analyses using analytical techniques.
• Maintain and troubleshoot analytical instruments.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Instrumental analysis experience

Education

Enrolled in chemistry, biochemistry, physics, or related program

Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0

Tools

Liquid chromatography

Near-infrared spectroscopy

Elemental analysis

Job description

Posting Title

Undergraduate (Year-Round) Intern - Analytical Chemistry

Location

CO - Golden

Position Type

Intern (Fixed Term)

Hours Per Week

20

Job Description

The Analytical Sciences Group at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NLR) provides analytical chemistry support to all research and development groups within the BEST directorate. The team seeks an undergraduate student intern to perform compositional analysis on a wide variety of biomass‑derived samples from laboratory experiments involved in biofuels and biomaterials such as fermentation, heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis, and polymer deconstruction. Reliable compositional analysis data form the foundation of NLR’s world‑class science.

Interns must adhere to NLR’s high technical, environmental, and health and safety standards. Standard laboratory analytical procedures (LAPs) for biomass analysis are available online.

Specific Duties

• Assist senior team members in the preparation of samples for instrumental analysis
• Perform analyses using analytical techniques such as liquid chromatography, near‑infrared spectroscopy, and elemental analysis
• Keep accurate and detailed laboratory records
• Maintain and troubleshoot analytical instruments
• Document and report analytical data to the research team

Basic Qualifications

• Must be enrolled full‑time in a degree‑granting program or graduated within the past 12 months from an accredited institution
• Internship period cannot exceed 12 months post‑graduation
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date

Additional Required Qualifications

• Current enrollment in chemistry, biochemistry, physics, or related degree program
• Some experience in instrumental analysis
• Demonstrated significant attention to detail
• Clear record‑keeping skills with special attention to data traceability
• Excellent communication skills

Annual Salary Range (full-time 40 hrs per week)

$34,800 – $55,700

Benefits Summary

Medical, dental, and vision insurance; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match; sick leave as required by law. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Interns working less than 20 hours per week are not eligible for medical, dental, or vision benefits.

Badging Requirement

All employees, including interns extending beyond six months, must obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12, which includes a favorable background investigation.

Drug Free Workplace

NLR maintains a drug‑free workplace in compliance with the federal Drug‑Free Workplace Act. A pre‑employment drug test, including marijuana unless prohibited by state or local law, is required before commencing employment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Reasonable Accommodations

Requests for accommodations will be considered pursuant to applicable laws. Employees who successfully complete a role are eligible to use E‑Verify to determine work authorization.