Intern, R&D Undergraduate Year Round – Bioresource and Environmental Security, O

Sandia National Laboratories’ Department of Bioresource and Environmental Security seeks a highly motivated Intern Year Round – R&D Undergraduate to contribute to cutting-edge research in lignin valorization. This role focuses on converting lignin into value-added chemicals through innovative catalytic and reaction engineering strategies. As a member of our multidisciplinary team, you will apply chemistry, catalysis, and engineering principles to solve critical challenges in bioenergy. You will be guided by a technical mentor and work closely with a team of researchers and interns on issues of national significance. This position offers hands-on experience in heterogeneous catalysis, reaction testing, and advanced analytical characterization within a multidisciplinary research environment. Training will be provided in catalysis, reactor operation, and analytical techniques. This is an onsite position in Emeryville, CA. The successful candidate will be regularly available 25 hours per week for this position.

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

• Assist in the synthesis, preparation, and chemical modification of heterogeneous catalysts.
• Conduct catalytic depolymerization experiments using batch reactors under varying temperature and pressure conditions.
• Perform product analysis using techniques such as GC-MS, GPC, HPLC, NMR, and FTIR.
• Support catalyst characterization using techniques such as BET, XRD, ICP-OES, and various spectroscopic methods.
• Analyze experimental datasets and present results to the team.
• Contribute to group discussions, technical reports, and presentations.
• Maintain laboratory records.
• Work safely, following all safety protocols and instructions.

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.

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
• To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States of America, Sandia will not sponsor work authorization for this position

Note: If you have not earned a HS diploma or equivalent, please apply to a high school intern position.

• Pursuing a degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related STEM field
• Ability to work independently with a proactive and self-motivated approach to tasks and problem-solving.
• Prior laboratory research experience specifically involving chemical reactions or catalysis.
• Experience in communicating scientific results through technical writing, poster sessions, or oral presentations.
• Completion of some college courses in organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, thermodynamics, or materials science.
• Familiarity with analytical instruments and data processing software.

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.

The Bioresource and Environmental Security department develops and applies biotechnological solutions towards important challenges related to bioenergy, the environment, and biomanufacturing. The department is highly multidisciplinary and is comprised of researchers with expertise in many disciplines including biology, chemistry, engineering, and computer science.

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 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

*These benefits vary by job classification.

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 the People’s Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation 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 (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.

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.

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.