Intern, R&D Graduate Year-Round - Geomechanics and Geochemistry, Onsite

Intern, R&D Graduate Year-Round - Geomechanics and Geochemistry, Onsite

What Your Job Will Be Like: We're seeking a year around motivated graduate student to join our multidisciplinary research team at Sandia National Laboratories. You will support critical-mineral recovery and geologic hydrogen projects through literature review, laboratory experimentation, data analysis, and technical communication.

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

• Search, review, and summarize scientific literature
• Design, set up, and perform laboratory experiments after appropriate training
• Analyze and interpret experimental data
• Discuss findings with the project team and contribute to technical decision-making
• Draft and revise reports, presentations, and manuscripts for publication

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

Salary Range: At Sandia, we value the important work done by our interns and its contribution to National Security. Because of this, our interns earn competitive pay rates. Our pay structure is based on earned credit hours, classification, and degree level. Your pay rate will be determined during the hire process and included in your offer package. You can view the Intern Pay Rate chart here: https://www.sandia.gov/app/uploads/sites/51/2024/12/Student-Rate-Sheet-2025.docx

Qualifications We Require:

• 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. citizens, legal permanent residents, asylees or refugees in the U.S.

Qualifications We Desire:

• Enrolled in a master's or PhD program in chemical engineering, geology, geochemistry, or a related geoscience field
• Hands-on experience in an analytical laboratory
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, security, and quality standards
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Availability to work at least 20 hours per week onsite at Sandia
• Proven ability to plan and execute technical tasks independently
• Experience designing and conducting laboratory experiments
• Background in analytical-chemistry method development and optimization
• Proficiency with analytical instruments such as XRD, SEM, XRF, and optical microscopy
• Experience collaborating in multidisciplinary teams
• Track record of presenting research at national or international conferences

Posting Duration: This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

About Our Team: The Geomechanics Department addresses cross-cutting issues in the geosciences and geoengineering related to rock mass characterization, rock mass mechanics, development of numerical codes and numerical simulations, validation of material models and design procedures, and rock mass site monitoring. Supported by combinations of laboratory work and in situ observations, the Geomechanics Department emphasizes: characterization of natural fracture systems; identification and modeling of rock deformation and failure processes; laboratory determinations of thermomechanical and transport properties of competent rock and natural fractures, including studies of coupled effects; extrapolation of laboratory measurements to field conditions; in situ stress measurements and evaluation of in situ boundary conditions; and laboratory and bench-scale validation studies.

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 and 4/10 compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacation, 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

Security Clearance: This position does not currently require a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance.

Sandia will conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Furthermore, employees in New Mexico need to pass a U.S. Air Force background screen for access to Kirtland Air Force Base. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause access to be denied or terminated, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. Under federal law, citizens and agents of certain countries are generally prohibited from accessing Sandia National Laboratories. Accordingly, such individuals will not be considered for employment unless they are also a citizen of the United States.

If hired without a clearance and it subsequently becomes necessary to obtain and maintain one for the position, or you bid on positions that require a clearance, a pre-processing background review may be conducted prior to a required federal background investigation. Applicants for a DOE security clearance need to be U.S. citizens. 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.

Members of the workforce hired at Sandia who require uncleared access for greater than 179 days during their employment, are required to go through the Uncleared Personal Identity Verification process. Access includes physical and/or cyber access, as well as remote access to any NNSA information technology systems. UPIV requirements are not applicable to individuals who require a DOE personnel security clearance for the performance of their SNL employment or to foreign nationals. The UPIV process will include the completion of a USAccess Enrollment, SF-85 and OF-306. An unfavorable UPIV determination will result in immediate retrieval of the SNL issued badge, removal of cyber access and/or removal from SNL subcontract. All MOWs may appeal the unfavorable UPIV determination to DOE/NNSA immediately. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the MOW may try to go through the UPIV process one year after the decision date.

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.

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.

Job ID: 699182 Job Family: 91 Regular/Temporary Position: T Full/Part-Time Status: P