Graduate Research Intern
Desert Research Institute•Reno, NV
•$24 - $26
About The Position
The Gautam Laboratory for Aerosol Optics and Microphysics at the Desert Research Institute (DRI) invites applications for a graduate-level research internship focused on the development of next generation optical instrumentation for particulate matter (PM) characterization. This internship is designed for highly motivated MS/PhD students interested in experimental optics, environmental sensing, and aerosol physics, with an emphasis on designing and building advanced light-scattering instruments for real-world applications in air quality, climate science, and remote sensing.
Requirements
- Current MS or PhD student in: Physics, Optical Engineering, Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, or Environmental Engineering
- Strong background in: Optics / Electromagnetics / Light scattering
- Strong background in experimental methods
Nice To Haves
- Hands-on experience with optical instrumentation or lab systems
- Familiarity with lasers, photodetectors, and optical alignment
- Familiarity with data acquisition systems (DAQ, electronics)
- Familiarity with programming (Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, etc.)
- Experience in Sub-to-Super Micron Particle Characterization
- Experience in signal processing
- Ability to work independently on complex experimental systems
Responsibilities
- Contribute to instrument design, alignment, and optimization
- Develop and test optical measurement setups
- Work with lasers, detectors, and precision optical components
- Perform laboratory experiments and data acquisition
- Analyze scattering data and interpret results in terms of aerosol properties
Benefits
- Compensation for Master’s Students: $23.60/hr
- Compensation for PhD Students: $25.90/hr
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
Upload and Match Resume
What This Job Offers
Career Level
Intern
Number of Employees
251-500 employees
