Intern - Pulsed Power Accelerator Science & Technology - R&D Graduate Year-Round

What Your Job Will Be Like:

We are seeking graduate student interns to join a dynamic team conducting advanced pulsed power accelerator research at Sandia National Laboratories. Pulsed power is a broad, multidisciplinary field, so we invite applicants from several disciplines including electrical engineering, physics, mechanical engineering, and related fields.

On any given day, you may be called to conduct research in one of several topic areas such as:

• Experimental vacuum system design, construction, and operation in pulsed power laboratories

• Mechanical and/or electrical design and assembly of pulsed power equipment

• Measurements of materials outgassing and/or electrode desorption in extreme environments

• Modeling of advanced pulsed power system designs using state-of-the-art circuit and/or particle-in-cell research codes

• Experimental measurements and analysis of high voltage flashover on novel insulators

• Development and testing of laser-triggered switch technologies for pulsed power accelerators

• Development and analysis of novel plasma diagnostics (optical spectroscopy, laser probing) to understand plasma formation on electrodes in high-current pulsed power accelerators

• Development, testing, and analysis of novel techniques to measure voltages and currents in high voltage, high current systems, which are resistant to interference from plasmas, particles, photons, and stray fields and currents.

• Development and testing of advanced magnetic field coil concepts for magnetized high-energy density physics experiments

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:

• Outstanding academic record• Experience with data acquisition and scientific analysis software such as MATLAB• Experience analyzing experimental measurements involving visible spectroscopy and/or laser interferometry techniques with a focus on low density plasma measurements• Experience at state-of-the-art pulsed power, high energy laser, and/or accelerator facilities• Experience working in a team environment to define and solve challenging, complex problems• Demonstrated experimental, analytical, and data management skills• Outstanding communication skills as demonstrated in technical publications, reports, and/or technical project presentations• A strong desire to work in a fast paced and technically challenging research environment

About Our Team:

The Pulsed Power Accelerator Science & Technology Group develops the world’s most advanced pulsed power accelerator technology. We apply science and technology to develop superpower accelerators that deliver multi-terawatt electromagnetic pulses to physics experiments. Various types of loads are fielded by the scientific community in several research areas including inertial confinement fusion, materials science, weapons physics, nuclear survivability, and laboratory astrophysics. We conduct accelerator physics experiments at Sandia’s Z Pulsed Power Facility, the world’s largest pulsed power accelerator. The principal goals of these activities are to improve the understanding of accelerator physics; apply the understanding to the development of advanced accelerator technology; use the capabilities and understanding to upgrade Z and other pulsed power machines; and establish the technical foundation upon which we will build the next generation of pulsed power accelerators in support of the U.S. Department of Energy’s national security mission.

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 Q-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 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: 688381