Navigating Internship Opportunities at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), situated at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado, serves as the United States' primary hub for energy systems research and development. NREL distinguishes itself within the research community through its dedication to achieving an affordable and secure energy future, fostering a collaborative culture, and pursuing a clear mission. NREL focuses on resolving intricate challenges to provide cutting-edge, secure, dependable, and economical energy solutions, spanning from fundamental science to applied systems engineering and analysis. These endeavors bolster industries, create employment opportunities, and stimulate national economic advancement.
NREL provides a setting driven by purpose, supported by cutting-edge facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and robust partnerships with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. A comprehensive benefits package designed to promote your career and well-being is available, along with numerous options for professional development.
Application Essentials
To be considered for any position at NREL, it is imperative to submit a separate application for each role for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not retained for consideration for future openings. Each application should include a cover letter and resume. Typically, applicants are required to submit a resume or CV, an official copy of their transcripts or academic record, and a minimum of two references at the time they apply. Additional requirements such as a writing sample, thesis or dissertation, etc. may be required. Family members may not serve as references; references must be able to speak to your educational and/or professional experience.
Not all opportunities have application deadlines. Some opportunities remain open until they are filled.
If you have forgotten your username, you can use the "Forgot password or username?" tab on the login page.
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Internship Opportunities at NREL
NREL offers a variety of internship opportunities spanning different fields and academic levels. Two examples of internships are:
1. Graduate (Year-Round) Intern: Chemo-Mechanical Modeling for Electrochemical Systems
This internship, located in Golden, CO, is a fixed-term position requiring 40 hours per week. The Advanced Computing Solutions group in the NREL Computational Science Center seeks a graduate student researcher in chemo-mechanical modeling with a special emphasis on meshfree and particle methods. The researcher will focus on adapting a meshfree model of cathode cracking in lithium-ion batteries to the degradation of fuel-cells/electrolyzers. The research will also explore methods for improving crack fidelity using ML techniques.
Responsibilities:
- Assist in the adaptation of meshfree methods for fuel cell/electrolyzer models.
- Collaborate with NREL researchers to accurately model and simulate the degradation (cracking) that occurs in electrochemical systems to improve durability and reliability.
- Process and visualize results from simulations scenarios to inform research.
- Author, present, and assist in the preparation of technical papers, reports, and/or conference proceedings on topics related to electrochemical-mechanical modeling and simulation.
- A stretch goal for this intern will be developing their understanding and utilizing software frameworks to process and ingest data for simulation and application of physics-based and image-based machine learning.
Basic Qualifications:
- Minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.
- Undergraduate: Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a bachelor’s degree program from an accredited institution.
- Post Undergraduate: Earned a bachelor’s degree within the past 12 months. Eligible for an internship period of up to one year.
- Graduate: Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a master’s degree program from an accredited institution.
- Post Graduate: Earned a master’s degree within the past 12 months. Eligible for an internship period of up to one year.
- Graduate + PhD: Completed master’s degree and enrolled as PhD student from an accredited institution.
- Applicants are responsible for uploading official or unofficial school transcripts as part of the application process.
- If selected for position, a letter of recommendation will be required as part of the hiring process.
- Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
Additional Required Qualifications:
- Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a master's program, or currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program in Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience utilizing programming in python and developing python packages.
- Demonstrated background in mechanical degradation modeling especially with meshfree and/or particle methods.
- Demonstrated a deep understanding of discretizing, assembling, and solving linear systems that derive from nonlinear PDEs.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with the Reproducing Kernel Particle Method (RKPM).
- Experience with modeling fuel-cells and/or electrolyzers.
- Strong programming and debugging experience.
- Experience with ML tools such as TensorFlow and/or Scikit-Learn.
The annual salary range for this position is $43,700 - $69,900, based on a full-time 40 hours per week schedule.
2. Undergraduate (Year-Round) Intern - Analytical Chemistry
This internship, located in Golden, CO, is a fixed-term position requiring 20 hours per week. The Analytical Sciences Group at NREL provides analytical chemistry support to all research and development groups within the BEST directorate at NREL. The samples are derived from a wide variety of laboratory experiments producing biofuels and biomaterials including fermentation, heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis, and polymer deconstruction. Reliable compositional analysis data form the foundation of the world class science that NREL produces. The position will require adherence to NREL’s high technical, environmental, and health and safety standards. To learn more about our standard laboratory analytical procedures (LAPs) for biomass analysis click here.
Specific duties for this role will include but may not be limited to:
- Assisting senior team members in the preparation of samples for instrumental analysis
- Performing analyses using various analytical techniques such as liquid chromatography, near-infrared spectroscopy, and elemental analysis
- Keep accurate and detailed laboratory records
- Maintain and troubleshoot analytical instruments
- Document and report analytical data to research team.
Basic Qualifications:
- Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a degree granting program, or graduated in the past 12 months from an accredited institution. Internship period cannot exceed 12 months past graduation.
- Minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.
- You will need to upload unofficial transcripts and a letter of recommendation as part of the application process.
- Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
Additional Required Qualifications:
- Current enrollment in a chemistry, biochemistry, physics, or related degree program
- Successful candidates will have some experience in instrumental analysis
- Demonstrate significant attention to detail
- Clear record keeping skills with special attention to data traceability and
- Excellent communication skills
The annual salary range for this position is $34,800 - $55,700, based on a full-time 40 hours per week schedule.
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Additional Internship Programs
Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI)
The Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) program is a paid internship opportunity sponsored and managed by the DOE Office of Science’s Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS) in collaboration with DOE laboratories/facilities. This program is designed for undergraduate students or recent graduates in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields or science policy. Participants become part of a Department of Energy (DOE) team, contributing to scientific impact and discovery. Each year, students from around the country participate in SULI at one of the 17 participating DOE laboratories/facilities, such as NREL, aligning with the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) missions.
How to Prepare Your SULI Application:
- Learn about SULI: Understand the eligibility requirements, participant obligations, and benefits of the program. Explore past intern highlights to gain insights into potential experiences.
- Verify dates and processes: Review key dates for the internship term you wish to apply for and consult the frequently asked questions for helpful information.
- Review the SULI application checklist and guides: Utilize the comprehensive application checklist and guides on requesting transcripts and recommendations, as well as crafting compelling essays.
- Attend a SULI application workshop: Sign up for workshops designed to help you navigate the application process and learn about the SULI experience.
General Requirements and Information
- Job Application Submission Window: The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.
- Salary Considerations: NREL considers a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.
- Benefits: Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match; and sick leave (where required by law). NREL employees may be eligible for performance-, merit-, and achievement-based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Internships projected to be less than 20 hours per week are not eligible for medical, dental, or vision benefits.
- Badging Requirement: NREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation. Intern assignments extending beyond six months will be subject to this requirement.
- Drug-Free Workplace: NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.
- Equal Opportunity Employer: NREL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.
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