PFAS and Emerging Contaminants Research Intern (Summer 2027)

Battelle • Boulder, CO

11d • $20 - $40 • Hybrid

About The Position

For brilliant minds in science, technology, engineering and business operations, Battelle is the place to do the greatest good by solving humanity’s most pressing challenges and creating a safer, healthier and more secure world. At Battelle, interns and co-ops make an impact through hands-on learning and exciting and challenging projects. Our interns are an integral part of the teams they support and will feel like they are a true, valued team member. We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply. A brighter future is possible with you. We are currently seeking a PFAS and Emerging Contaminants Research Intern. This position can be remote or hybrid (Columbus, OH) for the summer of 2027. This internship supports Battelle's Environment & Agriculture business line across a range of PFAS, emerging contaminants, and environmental analytical chemistry projects. The selected intern will contribute to both internal research and development (IRAD) initiatives and client-funded work, gaining hands-on experience in environmental data analysis, scientific programming, and technical communication. The Battelle intern and co-op program is designed to accelerate your career readiness. In our 2026 summer internship survey, 100% of respondents said they felt better prepared to enter the workforce, and 100% reported a sense of belonging within their team.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in environmental science, chemistry, environmental engineering, data science, biology, or a related field.
• Coursework or hands-on experience with data analysis and quantitative methods.
• Working knowledge of Python for data processing, analysis, or visualization (e.g., pandas, NumPy, matplotlib).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical information clearly.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with environmental, laboratory, or analytical chemistry datasets.
• Familiarity with QA/QC concepts and data quality evaluation.
• Exposure to statistical analysis, data visualization tools, or version control (e.g., Git).
• Interest in or coursework related to PFAS, emerging contaminants, or environmental remediation.
• Familiarity with AI/machine-learning concepts or AI-enabled data tools.
• Prior research experience (academic, internship, or lab-based).

Responsibilities

• Support internal research and development (IRAD) projects and client-funded work across the Environment & Agriculture business line, contributing to tasks spanning PFAS, emerging contaminants, and environmental analytical chemistry.
• Conduct literature reviews and market/technology scans to support research proposals, idea generation, and portfolio prioritization.
• Assist project teams with day-to-day technical tasks under the direction of program managers and principal investigators.
• Compile, clean, and organize environmental datasets (analytical chemistry results, field/monitoring data, and secondary/published data) for analysis.
• Evaluate datasets for quality, completeness, and trends; flag anomalies and QA/QC concerns.
• Perform quantitative analysis, summary statistics, and comparisons against regulatory or method-based benchmarks.
• Write and run Python code to process, analyze, and visualize data (e.g., using pandas, NumPy, matplotlib).
• Develop and maintain reproducible analysis scripts and simple workflows to support recurring analyses.
• Assist with data management, spreadsheet automation, and the preparation of analysis-ready datasets.
• Prepare presentations, figures, tables, and charts that clearly communicate research findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Support the development of technical reports, proposal sections, white papers, and internal briefings.
• Document methods, assumptions, and results so woble.
• Participate in team meetings, project reviews, and brainstorming sessions, contributing ideas and observations.
• Coordinate with scientists, engineers, and progrs to complete assigned tasks.
• Follow Battelle's data-handling, safety, and quality standards, including proper treatment of sensitive or proprietary information.

Benefits

• $2,000 housing stipend for students relocating more than 50 miles from home and university.
• Flexible work schedules: Most teams follow a flexible, compressed work schedule that allows for every other Friday off.
• Enhanced work flexibility, including a hybrid arrangement: You have options for where and when you work. Our Together with Flexibility model allows you to work 60% in-office and 40% remote, with Monday and Tuesday as common in-office days, dependent on team and position needs.
• Employee Resource Groups that help cultivate an inclusive and welcoming community.
• Social and professional networking events with Battelle Senior Leadership and your colleagues.
• Opportunities for philanthropic involvement to give back and make an impact in the community.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed