Job Description

What Your Job Will Be Like:

We are seeking a year-round in-person graduate student intern to join our 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, with the potential to present your research at 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
• Use fluorimetry and photoNMR to characterize photochemical processes relevant to AM
• Develop novel additive manufacturing (AM) processes and materials, with particular emphasis on vat photopolymerization (e.g., volumetric, DLP, SLA, 2-photon etc.)
• Develop in situ characterization and data analysis techniques to enable real time process control of AM
• 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
• Daily 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!

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/51/2024/01/Student-Rate-Sheet\_2024.pdf) .

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

Qualifications We Desire:

• Pursuing a PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical 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, TEM, SEM, microscopy etc.)
• Experience automating instrumentation with Python, LabView, MATLAB, or similar
• Excellent communication skills
• Interest in mentoring undergraduate students

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.

About Our Team:

The Advanced Materials Laboratory (AML) is a department within the Material, Physical, and Chemical Sciences Center at Sandia National Laboratories and is co-located at the University of New Mexico campus in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The AML conducts research and development to meet a wide range of specialized applications for national security, energy/climate, and nuclear deterrence enabled through partnerships with government, industry, and academic institutions. Technical expertise and focus in the AML is applied to fundamental chemistry of organic and inorganic synthesis, material processing for property-performance optimization, proto-type design engineering for structural-electronic functionality, with an emphasis on expanding autonomous material discovery and informed design enabled by machine learning. The department specializes in advanced manufacturing with an emphasis on defining the boundaries between materials science and process engineering to optimize property performance. Technical capabilities within the department include fiber reinforced composite and nanocomposite manufacturing; chemical, resin, and ink synthesis; additive manufacturing, including Direct Ink Write, Polymer Selective Laser Sintering, Vat Polymerization, Multiphoton Lithography, 3D/structural printed electronics; and rapid cable and connectors prototyping design engineering. Our department is comprised of a multidisciplinary team of engineers, material scientists, and chemists who are dedicated to scientific discovery, creativity, innovation, and practical solutions for our diverse customer set. Our team is committed to a safe and nurturing R&D work environment as an incubator of scientific talent at all academic and career levels, with a long-standing history of advocating for and advancing undergraduate and graduate students through research internships geared toward growing the next generation of scientists.

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.

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: 694014

Job Family: 91

Regular/Temporary Position: T

Full/Part-Time Status: P