Material Characterization PPOP Intern - Lab

23-Sep-2025

National Nuclear Security Administration

10369BR

Who We Are

As the Savannah River Site's management and operations contractor since 2008, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) makes the world safer. With safety and security in the forefront, SRNS develops innovative approaches to deliver on our environmental commitments and nuclear materials challenges; supplies products and services necessary to maintain the nation's nuclear deterrent; secures nuclear materials to prevent unwanted proliferation; and transforms nuclear materials into assets and stable wasteforms.

The SRNS workforce is highly capable, engaged, and adaptable to meet existing and expanding missions. SRNS employees apply superior expertise and innovative solutions to complex and challenging national and global issues. We have the knowledge to address a range of national and international nuclear issues. We make the world safer - and you can, too.

The Material Characterization (MC) Lab team is organizationally situated in the Pit Production Operations Program group in the Pit Production Laboratory which also includes Analytical Chemistry and Receipt Inspection labs. These three laboratory technical areas support facility operations, product certification, and engineering processes development studies. MC Lab activities will be spread across three facilities: Manufacturing Technology Center, High-Fidelity Training and Operations Center, and the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility. All MC Lab activities currently take place in the Manufacturing Technology Center. The MC lab will provide a broad array of material or metallurgical characterization services, including thermal analysis, mechanical properties, surface chemistry (AES/XPS/XRD), metallography, and electron microscopy. MC Lab capabilities in the Manufacturing Technology Center include metallographic sample preparation equipment, optical and electron microscopy, and a universal test system and nano indenter for measuring mechanical properties of materials.

Some Typical Duties & Responsibilities Include:

* May perform hands-on work to complete projects designed by Scientists who will serve as mentors.
* These projects will involve working as a member of a team and individually.
* Opportunity exists to support creation of development studies intended to support thermal analysis material characterization demands"
* Select projects may use a variety of material characterization equipment, including electron and optical microscopy and mechanical property measurements using a nano-indenter and universal test machine.
* May gain valuable skills in metallographic sample preparation.
* Opportunities for networking with executive and senior leadership and technical experts in a variety of engineering and scientific fields.
* Interns are expected to meet deadlines associated with their respective projects, including completion of assigned training and delivery of presentations and reports, and to participate in team meetings, meetings with the assigned mentor, and meetings with the MC Lab Manager, as required.

The hourly base rate of pay for this internship starts at $18.00, and may increase based on major and class standing.

Required Qualifications

Must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.

Must be a full-time student at an accredited four-year college or university, or within one year after finishing a degree program.

Must have completed freshman year of college.

Must successfully complete Savannah River Site General Employee Training and substance abuse processing.

We'd Also Like to See

Hands-on lab experience preferred. Experience with material characterization equipment preferred. Research experience preferred.

Major must be in STEM field. Examples include Material Science, Metallurgy, Engineering, Geology, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics.

Security Clearance Information

SRNS is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, criminal records, and employment history, and education verifications. Positions with SRNS may require applicants to obtain and maintain a DOE L or Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. Factors such as pre-employment background review results, dual citizenship status, and unpaid and/or unfiled taxes may impact your ability to obtain a security clearance. This list of factors is not exhaustive; pre-employment information and security clearance requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Note:

SRNS is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. SRNS utilizes the Disabled Veteran Enhancement Opportunities program which is aimed at improving employment opportunities for disabled veterans at the Savannah River Site (SRS). SRNS is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, you may contact us by phone at 803-952-8207, or by e-mail at hrrecruiting@srs.gov.

Job Expires

01-Oct-2025