NSIP Post Bachelors Research Associate Internship - Emerging Threats & Technologies Division

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory • Washington, DC

4h • $28 - $36 • Hybrid

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 Emerging Threats and Technologies Division, part of the National Security Directorate, consists of over 400 scientists, engineers, and analysts with backgrounds in cyber, nuclear, intelligence, policy, data science, and other fields. We work in interdisciplinary project teams to provide innovative concepts that integrate policy, analytics, science, and technology into unique solutions.
Protecting U.S. residents and visitors is among our nation’s highest priorities. As adversaries gain access to sophisticated technologies and materials, the threats grow more dynamic and complex—from cyber and nuclear to chemical and biological weapons of mass effect and other forms of terrorism. The PNNL national security mission employs our researchers, tools, and technologies to play a key role in advancing the ability to identify and secure nuclear materials, detect weapons of mass effect, manage nonproliferation treaties, secure our nation's borders, and protect critical infrastructures. PNNL’s scientific discovery and capabilities—rooted in innovative theory, methods, algorithms, and tools—are enabling stronger, more resilient technologies and systems to safeguard national security. Coupled with decades of radiological and nuclear materials expertise, advanced computing and threat analysis capabilities, and a broad fundamental science base, we are identifying and countering emerging threats that have significant impact at home and around the globe.
To learn more:
https://www.pnnl.gov/national-security-internship
https://www.pnnl.gov/emerging-threats-and-technologies
PNNL is seeking Research Associates for assignments within the National Security Internship Program (NSIP). The Emerging Threats & Technologies Division is looking for individuals who have a passion for solving critical national challenges using advanced techniques.
Research Associates will engage with complex problems across national security, energy, and science, applying rigorous analysis and innovative research methods to deliver impactful solutions that help keep our nation safe and secure.
Research Associate appointments may be aligned with one of the following technical groups: Cyber Resilience Foundations, Cyber Risk Reduction, Innovative Security Solutions, Global Research Analysis, Strategic Threat Analysis, or Mission Alignment.
Cyber Resilience Foundations: The Cyber Resilience Foundations group works with government and private sector stakeholders to quickly adapt to new technology spaces, understand how their introduction into specialized domains affects system security postures, and create solutions to improve their resilience to new technologies.
Disciplines: Cyber Security Research, Cyber Security Engineering, IT/OT, Software Development, Network Architecture.
Cyber Risk Reduction: The Cyber Risk Reduction group performs applied research leveraging PNNL capabilities in hardware, software, and firmware security to benefit sectors critical to national security by figuring out how to deconstruct, evaluate, and improve complex systems and develop tools, practices, and skills to meet these challenges.
Disciplines: Cybersecurity Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, and Network Administration
Innovative Security Solutions: The evolving technology landscape is transforming the realm of physical protection and incident response, presenting new challenges such as the convergence of physical and cybersecurity threats. These interconnected domains require innovative methods to safeguard IT systems, materials, and vital infrastructure from increasingly complex risks. The Innovative Security Solutions group addresses these challenges by providing critical solutions and support for securing key assets through conventional countermeasures, while also advancing techniques to navigate the complexities of blended security environments. By leveraging operational expertise in asset protection, the group tackles the intricacies of converged security by integrating cyber and physical threat assessments and developing mitigations that enhance the protection of nuclear material and critical infrastructure.
Disciplines: Cyber and Physical security, Hardware Vulnerability Assessment, Cyber Security Training
Global Research Analysis:
The Global Research Analysis group leverages national laboratory expertise in mission threats, science and technology, and cultural context to identify emerging and monitor existing technologies and provide decision makers the context and understanding critical to national security.
Disciplines: Nuclear Engineering, Physics, Cyber Security
Strategic Threat Analysis: The Strategic Threat Analysis (STA) group leverages partnerships around the world and expertise spanning multiple domains to address complex domestic and international security challenges. STA equips decision makers with nuanced insights and mitigation strategies in a rapidly evolving threat landscape shaped by emergent adversaries and technologies. Our experts bring a deep understanding of technical analysis, nonproliferation, risk and resilience, strategic trade controls, and regional affairs, delivering solutions that address gaps in legal frameworks, outdated approaches, and vulnerabilities within international systems and institutions.
Disciplines: Law and policy analysis, data analysis, nonproliferation, counterproliferation, finance/trade analysis
Mission Alignment:
Bringing together senior technical and strategic advisors as a division-level advisory body to help tune and execute strategy through dedicated leadership. Working across the division’s capability areas to capture emerging programmatic opportunities, coach and mentor staff on strategy and business development, support the development and execution of division strategy, and develop strategic new sponsor relationships.
Positions are available in Richland, WA and Seattle, WA, based on business need. Positions may also be performed remotely or on campus at PNNL based on business need. Participants will join the program as part of a cohort, with anticipated start dates in May or June 2026 for the summer cohort.

Requirements

• Candidates must have received a Bachelor’s degree within the past 24 months or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university
• Minimum overall GPA of 3.3 required.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment.
• If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Disciplines of Interest: Cybersecurity, Cyber Security Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Information Systems, Network Engineering, Network Architecture, Network Security, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Information Assurance, Industrial Control Systems (ICS), Cyber-Physical Systems, Physical Security, Security Engineering, Risk Management, Homeland Security, Nuclear Engineering, Physics, Engineering Physics, Applied Science, Data Analytics, Data Science, Economics, Finance, International Relations, International Affairs, Security Studies, Public Policy, Law and Policy, Nonproliferation and International Security

Responsibilities

• Research Associates will engage with complex problems across national security, energy, and science, applying rigorous analysis and innovative research methods to deliver impactful solutions that help keep our nation safe and secure.

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
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees