Intern - Organic Materials Science R&D Graduate Year-Round

What Your Job Will Be Like:

We are seeking a year-round in-person R&D graduate student intern to join our dynamic team of scientists performing fundamental research and development in the field of polymer materials science. You'll work with staff members and technologists in using a range of techniques to develop, characterize, and print polymer materials for use with additive manufacturing. Applicants should be experienced with polymer materials formulation and characterization and experienced, or interested in developing an expertise in, 3D printing techniques. You will be expected to contribute and execute innovative research ideas, present your research at various internal and external forums and conferences, and publish your research in peer-reviewed journals. You will be provided with the opportunity, if desired, to mentor undergraduate students and contribute to the development of new proposals.

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

• Perform materials characterization, including: thermal analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, thermomechanical analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, NMR, FTIR, Raman, XPS, SEM, GPC, and rheological testing

• Perform polymer and/or materials synthesis, functionalization and characterization

• Utilize fluorimetry and photoNMR to characterize photochemical processes relevant to AM

• Develop novel additive manufacturing (AM) processes and materials, with particular emphasis on direct-ink-write AM techniques

• Develop in situ characterization and data analysis techniques to enable real time process control of AM

• Formulate nanocomposites, particularly carbon-based (CNTs, graphene, carbon fiber), including optimization of compounding procedures, particle loading, and particle surface modifications

• In accordance with project needs, may require using conventional instrumentation in unconventional manners, augmenting existing instrumentation, developing new apparatus or accessories, and developing data analysis and instrument feedback controls

• Basic lab and equipment maintenance

  Expertise in all of the above areas is not expected, but excitement about learning new techniques and the ability to master new skills quickly will be needed!

Posting Duration:

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the ‘posting date’. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

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.

Qualifications We Require:

You bring the confidence and skills to be eligible for the job by meeting these minimum requirements:

• Earned bachelor's degree

• Currently attending and enrolled full time in an accredited science, engineering, or math graduate program

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0

• Ability to work up to 30 hours per week during the academic year, and up to 40 hours per week during the summer

• U.S. citizenship

Qualifications We Desire:

• Pursuing a PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related STEM field

• Experience in polymer, organic or materials synthesis and characterization

• Strong work ethic and ability to contribute as a member of a multi-disciplinary team

• Ability to work year-round on-site at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM (part time during academic year)

• Experience with additive manufacturing of polymers

• A dedication to producing high-quality results using good laboratory techniques and focused attention to detail

• Ability to rapidly learn new skills and work in a fast-paced environment

• Experience with a broad range of materials characterization and mechanical testing techniques (DSC, TGA, rheology, NMR, DMA, GPC, etc.)

• Experience automating instrumentation with Python, LabView, MATLAB, or similar

• Excellent communication skills

• Interest in mentoring undergraduate students

About Our Team:

The Organic Materials Science Department researches and develops new and advanced materials and processing strategies to meet a wide range of specialized applications in nuclear weapons, national security and industrial applications. Our department is dedicated to scientific discovery, creativity, innovation and practical solutions for our diverse customers. The department specializes in aging science and predictive performance of polymers, synthetic organic and polymer chemistry, thermal, mechanical, chemical, and physical characterization of organic materials, and advanced manufacturing of polymers. We perform reliability studies for polymers with an emphasis on understanding degradation mechanisms, structure-property relationships, and performance margins. Current areas of R&D in the department include: developing novel encapsulant materials, creating new thermoset chemistries for additive manufacturing, developing innovative NMR techniques to understand transport phenomena in polymers, measuring and optimizing electrical performance of polymer dielectrics, elucidating the interdependency of chemical change and polymer physics over long timeframes, creating reversible and degradable chemistries, understanding polymer interfacial properties and adhesion, measuring and predicting radiation effects on polymers, monitoring of reactive thermoset cure kinetics, and quantifying permeation behavior and spatially dependent degradation processes. We perform a complete spectrum of chemical, structural, thermal, rheological, and mechanical characterization of polymeric materials that must perform over 30 - 40 year lifetimes.

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 vacations, 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 L-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 the 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.

Job ID: 688061