MSIPP-EM PhD Intern - Data Analysis of Groundwater Interactions
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. Subsurface Remediation We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented MSIPP-EM Summer Intern to support ongoing research into groundwater/surface-water interactions. This project aims to characterize physical properties controlling flow and transport between aquifers and streams using measurements such as pressure, temperature, and geophysical data. The selected candidate will primarily focus on writing computer code (notebooks or scripts) using Python or other programming languages to analyze data and interface with existing codes. This position also includes working with both existing and new datasets to uncover insights into groundwater and surface-water interactions. 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.
- Background or strong interest in hydrogeology, geophysics, or physics.
- Proficiency in scientific programming and data analysis using languages such as Python, R, Julia, or Matlab.
- Strong quantitative skills, including coursework in differential equations or data science.
Responsibilities
- Process and analyze pressure, temperature, and geophysical datasets related to groundwater/surface-water interaction.
- Implement scientific programming techniques to analyze large and complex datasets.
- Write effective computer code (e.g., Python notebooks, R scripts) for interfacing with existing modeling tools and conducting quantitative analyses.
- Develop algorithms for data visualization and interpretation.
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
