Summer Internship - Materials Scientist
About The Position
Type One Energy is seeking a motivated materials science summer intern to support the development and manufacturing of advanced ceramic breeder materials for fusion energy systems. The intern will work directly with scientists and engineers to fabricate, characterize, and test lithium-containing ceramic materials used for tritium breeding applications. The role provides hands-on laboratory experience in powder processing, ceramic fabrication, high-temperature processing, materials characterization, and thermo-mechanical testing. The intern will contribute to scalable manufacturing methods for ceramic breeder pebbles and components while supporting fusion blanket technology development. The position is based in Knoxville, Tennessee, pays $25–$35 per hour, and is a 12-week internship in Summer 2027, starting May 24, 2027. It reports to the Sr. Director Nuclear & Fuel Cycle Engineering.
Requirements
- Currently pursuing a degree in materials science and engineering, ceramic engineering, mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering, or a related field.
- Interest in ceramics, powder processing, manufacturing, and experimental materials development.
- Familiarity with fundamental materials science concepts, including phase transformations, diffusion, microstructure, and mechanical behavior.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail.
- Ability to work safely in a laboratory environment and follow established procedures.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Nice To Haves
- Rising junior, senior, graduate, or PhD student.
- Prior laboratory, undergraduate research, or internship experience involving ceramics, powders, metallurgy, or advanced materials.
- Experience with powder processing, pressing, extrusion, drop-tower fabrication, granulation, or sintering methods.
- Familiarity with materials characterization techniques such as SEM, optical microscopy, XRD, particle size analysis, or density measurements.
- Experience performing mechanical testing or thermo-mechanical characterization of materials.
- Experience using data analysis tools such as Python, MATLAB, Origin, or Excel.
- Interest in fusion energy, nuclear materials, advanced manufacturing, or clean energy technologies.
Responsibilities
- Assist with fabrication of experimental lithium-containing ceramic breeder materials through powder processing, mixing, forming, sintering, and other ceramic processing operations.
- Participate in producing ceramic breeder pebbles and other ceramic components using laboratory-scale manufacturing techniques.
- Operate and maintain high-temperature furnaces and thermal processing equipment used for calcination, sintering, and heat treatment.
- Support the safe handling and processing of lithium-containing materials and associated laboratory chemicals.
- Perform materials characterization, including density measurements, particle size analysis, optical and electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and mechanical property testing.
- Conduct thermo-mechanical testing to evaluate material performance under conditions relevant to fusion energy applications.
- Build and operate high-vacuum equipment to fabricate and characterize new materials.
- Collect, analyze, and interpret experimental data to assess processing-property relationships and identify process improvement opportunities.
- Assist in developing and documenting standard operating procedures, experimental plans, and technical reports.
- Maintain organized laboratory records and contribute to a safe, clean, and efficient working environment.
- Present technical findings and project updates to the broader materials development team.
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Intern
Education Level
No Education Listed
