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Intern - Organic Materials - R&D Undergraduate Year-Round

What Your Job Will Be Like

We are seeking a Year Round - R&D Undergraduate Intern to join our dynamic polymer materials characterization and mechanical testing team. The successful candidate will primarily work with staff members, technologists and other students in using a broad range of techniques to characterize key properties of organic materials (encapsulants, adhesives, gels, underfills, conformal coatings, composites, etc.).
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
  • Materials characterization, including thermal analysis (differential scanning calorimetry, thermomechanical analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis) and rheological testing 
  • Mechanical testing, including the use of universal testing machines to execute both (1) standard measurements such as modulus and strength of materials/structures and (2) innovative test designs to resolve specific questions about materials or complex structures
  • Design and execution of structural response tests aimed at comparing materials, comparing processing techniques and/or validating material models
  • Mission needs may require using conventional instrumentation in unconventional manners, augmenting existing instrumentation, or developing new apparatus and/or accessories 
  • Instrumentation design, modification, repair, maintenance and calibration
The materials characterization and mechanical testing team performs leading edge materials research while also providing materials engineering support to a wide customer base in nuclear weapons, satellite payloads, and other engineering programs at Sandia. The team also includes technical staff from Engineering Sciences (Center 1500) so there is a strong synergy between materials science and modeling in addressing engineering problems.
Only in-state NM residents will be considered.

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.

Qualifications We Require

You bring the confidence and skills to be eligible for the job by meeting these minimum requirements:
  • Currently attending and enrolled full time in an accredited undergraduate program
  • Pursuing a science, engineering, or math major
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0
  • Ability to work up to 25 hours per week during the academic year, and up to 40 hours per week during the summer
  • U.S. citizenship

Qualifications We Desire

  • Enrollment in a program working towards a bachelor’s degree in science or engineering
  • A demonstrated commitment to producing high-quality results using good laboratory techniques and focused attention to detail
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills for explaining the important aspects of technical work to coworkers and customers
  • Motivated, responsible, and organized candidate with the ability to work independently under the guidance of a PhD scientist
  • A strong background in the types of materials characterization and mechanical testing described in the job responsibilities
  • Polymer science, polymer physics, and polymer chemistry knowledge
  • Primary consideration will be given to individuals who have demonstrated the ability to rapidly learn new skills and work in a fast-paced team environment

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 schedules, 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.