Post Bachelors RA - METALLIC LIFT
About The Position
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is hosting a Minerals to Materials Supply Chain Research Facility (METALLIC) Laboratory-to-Industry-For Talent (LIFT) program. METALLIC is a Department of Energy (DOE) initiative led by the National Energy Technology Laboratory and supported by a consortium of nine national laboratories. METALLIC LIFT is an emerging workforce development effort that is part of the broader METALLIC ecosystem. It embeds workforce development directly into the critical minerals and materials (CMM) innovation ecosystem and provides a key pathway to careers in the supply-chain ecosystem. LIFT is designed to deliver impact immediately, helping to create career interest now, while building durable talent pipelines aligned with DOE priorities. LIFT strategically leverages DOE national laboratory capabilities and facilities to drive institutional capacity, create jobs, and pave pathways to CMM careers in the Lab system and with industry. Integrating workforce into METALLIC ensures technical advances translate into deployable capacity, resilient regional ecosystems, and a workforce capable of securing America’s critical mineral future. PNNL is seeking recent graduates who are interested in participating at the Richland campus. This internship begins on September 28, 2026. Applicants must be available to start on that date and work on-site.
Requirements
- Candidates must have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university within the past 24 months, or complete their bachelor's degree by September 18, 2026.
- Must be able to start on September 28, 2026.
Nice To Haves
- BS degree in mechanical engineering, materials engineering, materials science, or a related field
- Skilled with mechanical equipment
- SolidWorks experience
- Hands-on experience with severe plastic deformation (e.g., friction stir welding) or traditional thermomechanical processing of materials (e.g., extrusion, rolling, forging, stamping)
- Strong team player
- Ability to deliver quality work on time to meet project and client needs
- Strong analytical, task management, and communication skills (both oral and written)
Responsibilities
- Investigate Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE) for manufacturing magnetic materials and copper-based high-strength wires.
- Collaborate with PNNL researchers to develop manufacturing processes and study how processing conditions affect microstructure, mechanical properties, conductivity, and magnetic performance.
- Plan, design, and conduct experimental research involving ShAPE.
- Relate microstructure, mechanical properties, and conductivity/coercivity to ShAPE process conditions.
- Document results in conference proceedings and peer-reviewed publications.
Benefits
- health insurance
- flexible work schedules
- medical insurance
- dental insurance
- vision insurance
- robust telehealth care options
- several mental health benefits
- free wellness coaching
- health savings account
- flexible spending accounts
- basic life insurance
- disability insurance
- employee assistance program
- business travel insurance
- tuition assistance
- relocation
- backup childcare
- legal benefits
- supplemental parental bonding leave
- surrogacy and adoption assistance
- fertility support
- company-funded pension plan
- 401 (k) savings plan with company match
- 120 vacation hours per year
- ten paid holidays per year
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
