Summer Internship - Fusion Engineering

Type One Energy • Knoxville, TN

1d • $25 - $35 • Onsite

About The Position

Type One Energy is seeking a motivated summer intern to support experimental research and development within its Fuel Cycle and Ceramic Breeder teams. The intern will help investigate interactions between hydrogen and its isotopes and materials relevant to fusion energy systems, especially using hydrogen and deuterium as non-radioactive surrogates for tritium. The work will contribute to understanding hydrogen transport, retention, and release in candidate materials for fusion fuel-cycle and ceramic breeder applications.

Working with experienced engineers and scientists, the intern will gain practical laboratory experience, contribute to experimental investigations, and support computational modelling activities. The role is based in Knoxville, Tennessee, pays $25–$35 per hour for 40 hours per week, and is a 12-week internship beginning May 24, 2027.

Requirements

• Pursuing a bachelor's program in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Physics, or a closely related discipline.
• Fundamental understanding of materials science, thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, or related engineering principles.
• Interest in experimental research, laboratory testing, and hands-on engineering activities.
• Some experience with data analysis, programming, or engineering calculations through coursework, laboratory classes, or personal projects.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Willingness to learn experimental techniques, computational tools, and laboratory procedures.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts and experimental findings clearly in written and verbal form.

Nice To Haves

• Previous laboratory experience through university coursework, research projects, or internships.
• Familiarity with Python, MATLAB, or similar tools for data analysis and basic computational modelling.
• Coursework or project experience involving materials characterization, diffusion, mass transfer, or hydrogen-related technologies.
• Familiarity with experimental instrumentation, data acquisition, or gas-handling systems.
• Interest in fusion energy, hydrogen technologies, advanced materials, or nuclear engineering.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning, preparing, and conducting laboratory experiments on hydrogen and deuterium interactions with materials.
• Support experimental testing of candidate ceramic breeder materials and other materials relevant to fusion fuel-cycle systems.
• Help develop and test hypotheses concerning hydrogen transport, diffusion, retention, and release under different experimental conditions.
• Gain hands-on experience with laboratory equipment, experimental instrumentation, gas-handling systems, and materials characterization techniques.
• Collect, process, and analyze experimental data; identify trends and compare results with expected material behavior.
• Assist in developing simple computational models and analytical tools to support experimental interpretation and understanding of hydrogen–material interactions.
• Document experimental procedures, results, and findings, and communicate progress to the wider engineering team.
• Help maintain a safe, organized, and effective laboratory environment by following established procedures and safe working practices.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern