PhD Intern - Battery Materials Research

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory • Richland, WA

3d

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 Energy Processes and Materials Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, creates and delivers real world solutions that support the Department of Energy’s goals for national energy security. We deliver new technologies that connect fundamental science to applications in areas such as energy storage, advanced materials manufacturing, applied catalysis, advanced separations, biomass conversions, carbon capture and utilization, and hydrogen production and storage. We employ a systems perspective that includes discovery, technology development, and scale-up as well as economic, regulatory, and market acceptance issues necessary for successful technology commercialization.

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

• Solid training in chemistry, materials science, polymer science, or chemical engineering.
• Knowledge and experience with liquid electrolytes, solid state electrolyte, Na-ion batteries, Li metal batteries, and Li-S batteries are preferred.
• Hands-on experience or demonstrated ability to work on materials synthesis, characterization, and coin cell assembly and evaluation.
• Ability to work independently and safely.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Apply basic scientific theories to well-defined tasks with minimal oversight.
• Utilize conceptual knowledge of scientific or engineering theories, practices, and procedures within your specialization.
• Follow instructions on required tasks and complete them on time and within budget, working under the guidance of experienced staff.
• Communicate the importance of work within the team effectively.

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.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees