Graduate Student Research Assistant- Computational Modeling of Polymer Solution Behavior Intern

AeroVironment • Bath Township, OH

4d

About The Position

This PhD-level internship with the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Foundational Technologies Directorate focuses on computational modeling of polymer solution behavior. The intern will join a multidisciplinary polymer physics research team modeling the rheological behavior of liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) in flow and under external electric fields. The work involves collaborating with experimentalists to predict molecular-level rheological responses and comparing molecular dynamics simulations with experimental data.

The intern will engage with AFRL scientists, academic collaborators, and industry partners to refine research objectives, document findings, and potentially contribute to a manuscript for peer-reviewed publication. The position is within a government facility and requires U.S. citizenship.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program in Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a closely related field.
• Experience with coarse-grained polymer modeling.
• Proficiency in Python and large-scale simulation software such as LAMMPS.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• U.S. citizenship is required for work within the government facility.

Nice To Haves

• Experience modeling the rheology of complex fluids and soft matter.
• Familiarity with high-performance computing (HPC) environments.
• A record of research contributions in peer-reviewed journals.

Responsibilities

• Use molecular dynamics simulations to model the rheological behavior of liquid crystal polymers.
• Refine simulated models to align with and explain experimental data.
• Engage with AFRL scientists, academic collaborators, and industry partners to refine research objectives.
• Document findings and potentially contribute to a manuscript for peer-reviewed publication.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) with company matching
• Flexible work schedule options
• Some programs may offer a 9/80 work schedule and paid holiday shutdown, depending on business unit, role, and customer contract requirements.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree