MSIPP-EM PhD Intern - Chemistry in Complex Environments
About The Position
At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget. Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus. The Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation’s power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management. The Earth Systems Science Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, provides leadership and solutions that advance Earth system opportunities for energy systems and national security. We are a multidisciplinary division connected by a shared commitment to innovate and collaborate towards solving complex problems in the dynamic Earth system. MSIPP is funded by the DOE Office of Environmental Management. The program focuses on research aligned with DOE-EM’s mission to clean up the environmental legacy left from U.S. nuclear weapons development and nuclear energy research. The ten-week internship provides hands-on experience addressing the cleanup of the Hanford Site, one of the Department of Energy’s most complex locations, where hazardous contaminants are heavily comingled. Selected candidates will gain invaluable knowledge and skills by working on this significant cleanup effort under the direct mentorship of leading scientists and industry professionals. Research Opportunity with Ion Dynamics in Radioactive Environments and Materials (IDREAM) Energy Frontier Research Center: We are seeking a motivated individual to join our MSIPP-EM Summer Internship Program. The IDREAM EFRC is exploring the complex chemical phenomena to enable innovations in retrieving and processing radioactive tank waste. Our team works to master the fundamental chemistry in complex environments characterized by extremes in alkalinity, low-water activity, and chemical phenomena driven far from equilibrium by ionizing radiation, all of which are characteristics of legacy radioactive tank waste. As an MSIPP intern, you will become an integral member of the IDREAM EFRC. IDREAM also features a highly involved Early Career Network to assist you in your career development and scientific skills. You will conduct experimental research aimed at understanding how solution chemistry and ionizing radiation influence mineral solubility, solution structure, and redox behavior in tank waste–relevant systems. The work directly supports innovation in radioactive waste retrieval and processing strategies. Due to sponsor funding requirements outlined in the MSIPP-EM SOW, eligibility for this internship is limited to students enrolled at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). This internship will be in-person and located in Richland, WA.
Requirements
- Candidates must be currently enrolled/matriculated in a PhD program at an accredited college.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.
Nice To Haves
- Currently enrolled in a minority serving institution working towards a science, technology, or mathematics (STEM) degree.
- Prior laboratory experience in any of the following areas: Spectroscopy (e.g., IR, Raman, UV–Vis) X‑ray diffraction or other structural characterization techniques Redox chemistry or electrochemistry High‑pH or highly concentrated electrolyte solutions
- Experience with data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Origin, Python, MATLAB, or similar).
- Previous research in nuclear chemistry, radioactive waste management, geochemistry, or complex solution chemistry.
Responsibilities
- Design and conduct experiments to determine how co‑dissolved species (phosphate, nitrate, nitrite) affect gibbsite solubility under tank waste–relevant conditions.
- Use PNNL’s experimental tools (e.g., vibrational spectroscopy, X‑ray diffraction, optical microscopy) to collect, analyze, and interpret data, and contribute to documentation and manuscript preparation.
Benefits
- Employees are offered an employee assistance program and business travel insurance.
- Employees are eligible for the company funded pension plan and 401k savings plan, once eligibility requirements are met.
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Intern
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
Number of Employees
1,001-5,000 employees
