Summer High School Research Intern - Rhizosphere Function

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory • Richland, WA

4h • Onsite

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 Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate (EBSD) leads critical research in four areas: Atmospheric, Climate & Earth Sciences, Biological Sciences, Environmental Molecular Sciences, and Global Change. Our vision is to develop a predictive understanding of biological and Earth systems in transition. We aim to understand energy and material flows within the integrated Earth system; to understand, predict, and control the response of biosystems to environmental and/or genomic changes; and to Model the Earth system from the subsurface to the atmosphere. The Environmental Molecular Sciences Division is comprised of 18 interdisciplinary research teams focused on deciphering molecular-level interactions driving biological and environmental processes across temporal and spatial scales. Through computational analysis and modeling, these findings contribute to predictive understanding of how systems respond to environmental perturbations thus enabling solutions to the nation’s energy, environmental, and human health challenges. The division also manages the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus that accelerates the research of scientists around the world by providing access to world-class expertise, instrumentation, and computational resources.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is seeking a high school student for the Summer High School Research Internship (HSRI). This internship provides an opportunity for students interested in preparing for careers in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) to work during the summer with a scientist/mentor in a specified research area. HSRI is a 10-week program, estimated based on start date; the anticipated start date for summer cohort will be June 16, 2026.
This position offers hands-on experience in cutting-edge mass spectrometry imaging techniques and workflow development for biomedical research applications
Due to the nature of this program, applicants must be currently enrolled in a local Tri-Cities, WA area high school. This internship is designed to be onsite and requires interns to work in person at our Richland, WA location to support hands-on learning and collaboration.

Requirements

• Applicants must be currently enrolled as a sophomore, junior or senior in a public or private high school at time of application
• Applicants must be 18 years of age by start date
• Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (from beginning of 9th grade to current standing)

Nice To Haves

• Basic knowledge of wet-lab chemistry, quantitative analysis and stoichiometry, and cell biology concepts
• Ability to perform basic operations in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Responsibilities

• This position offers hands-on experience in cutting-edge mass spectrometry imaging techniques and workflow development for biomedical research applications

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: High school or GED