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Intern - Applied Optical & Plasma Science - R&D Graduate Year-Round

What Your Job Will Be Like

Our team is seeking a Year Round Graduate Student Intern to join our dynamic team and conduct research on low temperature plasma chemistry. You will use state-of-the-art computational tools and clusters to develop new scientific insights and aid Sandia in its mission to serve the nation. In collaboration with computational staff members, you will develop reaction mechanisms for non-equilibrium plasma chemistry and validate computational models to enable predictive design and to investigate fundamental phenomena.
Key functions of this role include, but are not limited to:
  • Developing plasma chemistry reaction mechanisms
  • Reviewing relevant literature for reaction rates and cross sections in non-equilibrium systems
  • Developing test problems for plasma chemistry models and analyzing the resulting data
  • Leveraging existing plasma simulation tools for new applications
  • Establishing new scientific insight on the physical mechanisms underlying low temperature plasma phenomena
  • Publication of scientific results and participation in the scientific community
  • Validation and verification of plasma simulation tools in collaboration with experimentalists
 

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:
  • 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

  • Good communication and interpersonal skills
  • The motivation and ability to tackle technical problems independently
  • Interest in or experience developing non-equilibrium plasma chemistry models
  • Proficiency in scientific programming in some language (e.g., C++, Python)
  • Experience in model and algorithm development for computational simulation
  • Experience working with HPC platforms
  • Interest or experience in using and/or developing computational models of physical phenomena
  • B.S in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mathematics, or closely related discipline
  • Current enrollment in a graduate program in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mathematics, or closely related discipline

About Our Team

Our department is a multidisciplinary group of experts in three areas: Low Temperature Plasma Physics, Laser and Optical Diagnostics, and Thermal Characterization of Materials. We work with groups in Sandia and other entities to develop the science that enables engineering solutions.
The Low Temperature Plasma Physics thrust has ongoing work in sheath physics, plasma chemistry, plasma-surface interactions, arc discharges (from vacuum to high pressure), high energy electron beams, and more. To study this wide array of phenomena, we possess both experimental and computational experts that work together to produce new understanding. The plasma codes we use include fully kinetic, hybrid, and fluid models. Experimentally, we have developed a variety of sources including multipole confinement systems, CCP/ICP RF plasmas, and atmospheric pressure plasma systems. We use a variety of diagnostics to examine these systems and are actively involved in the development or use of advanced laser diagnostics, other spectroscopic techniques, physical probes, RF sensing, and more. There may be an opportunity for this position to perform experimental work directly, in addition to the primary modeling work.
The Laser and Optical Diagnostics thrust conducts innovative research and application development in LIDAR remote sensing, laser sources and characterization, and optical spectroscopy providing unique, real-time, non-contact, in-situ optical diagnostic capabilities. 
The Thermal Characterization thrust researches the fundamental thermal properties and decomposition products and pathways of a wide variety of materials experiencing an expansive range of environments. This work entails both state-of-the-art diagnostics as well as developing custom diagnostics and techniques to provide information on the underlying science of thermal behaviors of materials.

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

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.
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 (MOWs) 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 (UPIV) process. Access includes physical and/or cyber (logical) access, as well as remote access to any NNSA information technology (IT) 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 (Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions) and OF-306 (Declaration of for Federal Employment). An unfavorable UPIV determination will result in immediate retrieval of the SNL issued badge, removal of cyber (logical) 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.