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Overview

PNNL's Earth System Science Division enables energy independence and national security through leadership in earth systems science, engineering, and decision analytics. Our work focuses on solving complex problems in the dynamic Earth system. Our interdisciplinary scientists steward a breadth of efforts that encompass research on plants to groundwater science and coastal zones, to storm prediction.

Our research focuses on understanding and mitigating operational risks at the interface of human and natural environments. This includes predicting the impacts of natural hazards and extreme climate events on Earth and human systems, along with the impacts of wildfire, flooding, sea level rise and storm surges. We focus on understanding and mitigating environmental contamination and increasing the resiliency, security and sustainability of water resources. We provide geointelligence through advanced sensing and data analytics to forecast complex system behaviors and operational performance to understand human-natural systems. This includes informed decision making and enhanced community resilience, advanced monitoring, and remote sensing of environmental systems for energy and national security. It also includes developing energy systems, including geothermal energy, sustainable oil and gas production, storage and utilization, along with carbon sequestration.

Driven by a “science-to-solutions” philosophy, we provide scientific leadership and technology to enhance national security, mitigate natural hazards and optimize disaster response. In the critical areas of energy, environment, intelligence, and defense, we deliver insights and decision support through the development of tools and solutions.

Responsibilities

DOE’s Office of Environmental Management Graduate Fellowship Program is seeking graduate fellows to work on some of the nation’s greatest cleanup efforts. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to collaboration and work–life balance. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven interns come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!

Contribute to PNNL’s goals as part of the Lab’s Energy and Environment Directorate (EED). With support from the DOE-BES, the Interfacial Dynamics in Radioactive Environments and Materials (IDREAM) Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC) is exploring the complex chemical phenomena to enable innovations in retrieving and processing radioactive tank waste. Our team works to master the fundamental chemistry in complex environments characterized by extremes in alkalinity, low-water activity, and chemical phenomena driven far from equilibrium by ionizing radiation, all of which are characteristics of legacy radioactive tank waste. The fundamental knowledge from IDREAM's efforts will aid in accelerating the processing of legacy radioactive waste stored in underground tanks at the DOE's Hanford and Savannah River Sites.

Central to IDREAM's work is determining the solubility, precipitation/dissolution mechanisms, and aggregation behavior of gibbsite, Al(OH)3, and other aluminum bearing mineral phases. In the tanks, aluminum is present in both the solid phase and the tank supernatant. Though it is not the most prominent element in the radioactive tank waste, aluminum presents a major problem due to its unpredictable precipitation and aggregation behavior, which becomes especially problematic upon removal of the waste from its storage tanks and transportation for final processing and disposal. In addition to aluminum, the tank waste is highly alkaline, and rich in nitrates, nitrites, phosphates, low molecular weight organics, and redox active species. Additionally, the waste has been exposed to decades of ionizing radiation, driving the chemistry far from equilibrium. All of which further complicates the predictive understanding of tank chemistry required for the successful processing of radioactive tank waste.

As a graduate research fellow based in EED's Subsurface Science Group, you will become an integral member of the IDREAM EFRC. IDREAM is a multi-institution interdisciplinary team working to master the fundamental chemistry in complex environments characterized by extremes in alkalinity and low water activity related to the chemistry underpinning the successful processing of radioactive tank waste. IDREAM also features a highly involved Early Career Network to assist you in your career development and scientific skills.

You will specialize in conducting experiments to: (i) determine the role of co-dissolved species, such as phosphate, nitrate, and nitrite, in enhancing gibbsite solubility in nuclear tank waste; (ii) determine the role of ionizing radiation on the structure of solutions containing phosphate, nitrate, and nitrite; and (iii) evaluate the role of solution structure, co-dissolved organics, and ionizing radiation on the oxidation state of dissolved redox active species. You will leverage a variety of experimental techniques available at PNNL, including vibrational spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction, and optical microscopy, among others, while taking advantage of world-class expertise and capabilities to meet your research goals. You will also lead and contribute to manuscript development as a member of the IDREAM team.

If you are ready to test your talents and training in solving the underlying fundamental chemistry in nuclear tank waste, we want to connect with you. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply.

The successful candidate will join other graduate fellows as part of the Minority Serving Institutions Partnership Program (MSIPP). MSIPP is funded by the Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (DOE-EM). DOE-EM is working to cleanup legacy radioactive waste found in soil, groundwater, and underground storage tanks. All research aligns with DOE-EM’s mission to safely immobilize and cleanup environmental legacy waste, focusing on cleanup of the Hanford Site which is one of the most complex DOE sites due to hazardous comingled contaminates. For more information, go to https://www.pnnl.gov/environmental-management-internship .

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Candidates must have received a Master’s degree within the past 24 months or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university. Minimum overall GPA of 3.0 required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in preparation of aqueous salt solutions

• Experience working with anaerobic chambers/gloveboxes

• Experience with one or more of the following techniques: Vibrational Spectroscopies, X-ray Spectroscopies, X-ray Diffraction, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy

• Candidate must have graduated from a minority serving institution (MSI) school

• Masters degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, environmental science, or related field.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

Not Applicable.

Additional Information

Due to business needs and client space, US Citizenship is required .

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is subject to the Department of Energy Unclassified Foreign Visits & Assignments Program site, information, technologies, and equipment access requirements.

Why should I apply?

This internship will advance your career by giving you real world research experience and connecting you with leading experts in your field. You will meet other interns in multiple disciplines and introduce you to potential careers and various research opportunities. Many interns return for multiple internships or are hired following schooling. If you’re interested in making the world a better place, restoring the environment to its natural state, and gaining valuable research experience to launch your career, consider applying below.

Where is this internship?

All projects involving lab work will be located in Richland, WA. Projects focused on computer science or modeling could have remote internship opportunities.

How do I apply?

Submit your resume or CV

How do I know if I qualify for MSIPP?

To qualify you must attend a Minority Serving Institution (MSI). MSIs are institutions of higher education enrolling populations with significant percentages of undergraduate minority students. Don’t know if your school qualifies? Ask us! Please email em.internships@pnnl.gov to find out more.

Testing Designated Position

Not a Testing Designated Position.

About PNNL

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!

At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, flexible work schedules and telework options. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or 3-hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.

Commitment to Excellence, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Equal Employment Opportunity

Our laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment dedicated to solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. In support of this commitment, we encourage people of all racial/ethnic identities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers@pnnl.gov .

Drug Free Workplace

PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.

If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.

HSPD-12 PIV Credential Requirement

In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

Mandatory Requirements

Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. 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.

Rockstar Rewards

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company funded pension plan and may enroll in our 401k savings plan. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

• Research Associates excluded.

**Once eligibility requirements are met.

Click Here For Rockstar Rewards (https://careers.pnnl.gov/rockstar-rewards)