Masters Intern - Refill Friction Stir Welding - Materials Manufacturing

Overview

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 Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation’s power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management.

The Energy Processes and Materials Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, creates and delivers real world solutions that support the Department of Energy’s goals for national energy security. We deliver new technologies that connect fundamental science to applications in areas such as energy storage, advanced materials manufacturing, applied catalysis, advanced separations, biomass conversions, carbon capture and utilization, and hydrogen production and storage. We employ a systems perspective that includes discovery, technology development, and scale-up as well as economic, regulatory, and market acceptance issues necessary for successful technology commercialization.

Responsibilities

The intern will support experimental research and development activities related to refill friction stir welding of similar and dissimilar materials. Responsibilities may include hands-on operation and setup of refill FSW equipment, preparation of welding trials, fixture setup, process parameter development, documentation of experimental conditions, and evaluation of weld quality.

The intern will work with engineers and scientists to develop process windows for refill FSW joints, including hard-to-join material combinations. The position holder will also contribute to understanding material flow during refill FSW through experimental observations, sectioning, metallography, microscopy, mechanical testing, and interpretation of weld features.

Additional responsibilities may include preparing samples, safe laboratory practices, analyzing experimental data, summarizing results, and communicating findings in technical meetings, reports, and presentations. The candidate will be expected to work both independently and collaboratively with a multidisciplinary research team.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Candidates must be matriculated/enrolled in a Master's program at an accredited college or university.

• Minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Current enrollment in a Master’s degree program in materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, welding engineering, manufacturing engineering, or a closely related field.

• Prior hands-on experience with refill friction stir welding, friction stir welding, or other solid-state joining processes.

• Experience operating or supporting experimental manufacturing or joining equipment.

• Knowledge of process development for metallic materials, including similar and dissimilar material joining.

• Familiarity with material flow, microstructure evolution, and defect formation in friction stir welding or refill friction stir welding.

• Ability to document experimental procedures, process parameters, observations, and results clearly and consistently.

• Strong commitment to safe, hands-on laboratory work.

• Strong communication skills, including the ability to present technical information clearly and concisely.

• Proven ability to learn independently and adapt quickly to new experimental methods and concepts.

• Strong initiative and attention to detail needed to drive experimental tasks to successful completion.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

Not applicable.

Additional Information

Are you interested in developing advanced solid-state joining processes for difficult-to-join materials? The Applied Materials and Manufacturing Group at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is seeking a graduate student intern to support hands-on research and process development in refill friction stir welding.

The selected candidate will work with PNNL researchers to develop similar and dissimilar refill friction stir welding joints, operate and support refill FSW machine activities, and help advance understanding of material flow, joint formation, and process-structure-property relationships in challenging material systems. This position is well suited for a student interested in hands-on experimental research, advanced manufacturing, solid-state joining, and materials characterization.

Testing Designated Position

This is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).

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, and flexible work schedules. 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 and Equal Employment Opportunity

Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, 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 View email address on click.appcast.io .

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.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements

As a national laboratory, PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement thereafter, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the PIV credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.

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

Regular Hourly:

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.

Temporary Hourly:

Employees are offered an employee assistance program and business travel insurance.

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Notice to Applicants

PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual’s relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.

As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.

Minimum Salary

USD $20.87/Hr.

Maximum Salary

USD $31.30/Hr.