Post Bachelors RA - Nuclear, Chemistry & Biology (NSIP)

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.

PNNL is seeking bachelor degree candidates for assignments within the National Security Internship Program (NSIP).

 

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.

 

Do you want to be challenged with hard problems in national security, energy, and science and apply cutting-edge research to make our nation safer and stronger? Do you want to perform research and development critical to prevent and counter terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction? Are you interested in chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives measurement and materials characterization? 

 

If you answered yes, please join us as an intern in the Nuclear, Chemistry and Biosciences Division. 

 

Your internship will land you in one of six focus area. 

 

1. Applied Radiation Detection: We discover and measure radiological signatures by integrating nuclear science, novel sensor development, and data science to support interdiction, emergency response, and international treaty support.

 

2. Biological and Chemical Sciences: We develop integrated experimental and data analytics techniques spanning chemistry, advanced materials, and biology to overcome threat detection challenges with solutions that can be operationalized.

 

3. Global Nuclear Science and Technology: We conduct research, development, and analysis on nuclear materials, processes, and technologies while integrating analysts and experimentalists across nuclear and radiochemistry, material science and engineering, and nuclear engineering.

 

4.Nuclear Engineering and Analysis: We possess a longstanding capability in the production of nuclear materials to support our nuclear deterrent and to counter proliferation of nuclear weapons. Another major focus of the group is the design, analysis, and development of advanced nuclear reactors and nuclear systems. The group also leads significant efforts in nuclear safety analysis for reactor systems and transportation packages.

 

5. Radiochemical Analysis: We implement analytical chemistry methods to determine elemental and isotopic composition in a variety of sample types, ranging from environmental samples to radioactive samples, and integrate research and operational capabilities.

6. Nuclear Signatures: We represent PNNL’s nuclear explosion monitoring technical expertise where we have developed some of the world’s most sensitive radiation detection systems for radioactive gas measurements. We drive detection solutions that span fundamental physics to treaty verification by integrating modeling, experimentation, data science, and national/international relationships.

 

 

To have a complete application package, the three (3) listed items below are required and must be uploaded correctly per the steps below:

 

 Step 1: Upload Resume or CV in “Resume” section only (note: if applying to multiple positions, the resume uploaded will be the resume used for all positions an applicant applies towards)

 Step 2: Combine the two (2) below requested documents into one (1) PDF document and name this file NSIP-NCB. This combined document must be uploaded into the “Additional Documents” section. 

 

1) Current unofficial transcript, cumulative GPA must be listed

2) 300-word essay describing how your specific interests pertain to one of the focus areas listed above, such as personal projects, hobbies outside of class, or any other activity to help you gain extra experience in your field beyond textbook knowledge.

 

 If any one of the 3 components are not uploaded per the instructions listed, applications will be rejected and will no longer be considered. Electronic applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. (PST) on the posting close date.

Minimum Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:

 

Disciplines of interest: acoustics, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, bioinformatics, chemistry, chemical engineering, computational chemistry, computer science, criminal justice, criminal network detection, electrical engineering, electromagnetics, forensic analysis, geospatial analysis, illicit trafficking, intelligence & security studies, law enforcement, material science, mathematical and statistical methods & modeling, mechanical engineering, metallurgy, microbiology, molecular biology, nuclear engineering, nuclear nonproliferation, nuclear physics, nuclear science, nuclear security and risk analysis, optical engineering, optics, particle physics, physical chemistry, physics, radiochemistry, radiography, security studies, software engineering, technology assessment, and terrorism.

Not applicable

Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a future security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.