Description

What Your Job Will Be Like

We are seeking graduate student interns to join a dynamic team conducting advanced pulsed power accelerator research at Sandia National Laboratories. Pulsed power is a broad, multidisciplinary field, so we invite applicants from several disciplines including electrical engineering, physics, mechanical engineering, and related fields.

On any given day, you may be called to conduct research in one of several topic areas such as:

• Experimental vacuum system design, construction, and operation in pulsed power laboratories
• Mechanical and/or electrical design and assembly of pulsed power equipment
• Measurements of materials outgassing and/or electrode desorption in extreme environments
• Modeling of advanced pulsed power system designs using state-of-the-art circuit and/or particle-in-cell research codes
• Development and analysis of novel plasma diagnostics (optical spectroscopy, laser probing) to understand plasma formation on electrodes in high-current pulsed power accelerators
• Development, testing, and analysis of novel techniques to measure voltages and currents in high voltage, high current systems, which are resistant to interference from plasmas, particles, photons, and stray fields and currents
• Development and testing of advanced magnetic field coil concepts for magnetized high-energy density physics experiments
• Design, build, and test RF power transmission circuitry incorporating high power RF amplifiers, cable routing, custom matching networks, and high power RF switching for broadband, multitone excitation applications.
• Develop simulation techniques for coupling RF circuit digital twin with high power plasma etching processes in novel pulsed power environments.
• Utilize PIC/DSMC simulation tools to estimate bulk plasma densities and temperatures for capacitively coupled plasmas, and calculate ion energy distribution functions and total ion surface fluence for 1D and 2D geometries. jh

Salary Range

At Sandia, we value the important work done by our interns and its contribution to National Security. Because of this, our interns earn competitive pay rates. Our pay structure is based on earned credit hours, classification, and degree level. Your pay rate will be determined during the hire process and included in your offer package. You can view the Intern Pay Rate chart here.

Qualifications We Require

You bring the confidence and skills to be eligible for the job by meeting these minimum requirements:

• Earned bachelor's degree
• Currently attending and enrolled full time in an accredited science, engineering, or math graduate program
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0
• Ability to work up to 30 hours per week during the academic year, and up to 40 hours per week during the summer
• U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, asylees or refugees in the U.S.

Qualifications We Desire

• Outstanding academic record
• Experience with theory and diagnostics of weakly ionized, low temperature, capacitively coupled plasma
• Experience with plasma etching techniques utilizing RF, DC, and pulsed excitations
• Experience with PIC/DSMC modeling software tools for modeling weakly ionized, low temperature, capacitively coupled plasmas
• Proficiency with RF and transmission line theory and use of the Smith chart for network design
• Experience with PIC/DSMC modeling software tools for modeling low density, capacitively coupled plasmas
• Experience in high power RF systems, including transmission line design and modeling
• Experience with capacitively coupled plasma etching systems, including plasma diagnostics, matching network design and theory, and system operation
• Experience with data acquisition and scientific analysis software such as NI LabVIEW
• Experience with data acquisition and scientific analysis software such as MATLAB
• Experience analyzing experimental measurements involving visible spectroscopy and/or laser interferometry techniques with a focus on low density plasma measurements
• Experience at state-of-the-art pulsed power, high energy laser, and/or accelerator facilities
• Experience working in a team environment to define and solve challenging, complex problems
• Demonstrated experimental, analytical, and data management skills
• Outstanding communication skills as demonstrated in technical publications, reports, and/or technical project presentations
• A strong desire to work in a fast paced and technically challenging research environment

Posting Duration

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

About Our Team

Department 1659, part of the Pulsed Power Science and Technology group (1650), conducts experiments in support of power flow and energy coupling on Z and other small-scale facilities. We advance validated computational modeling for power flow design to simulate plasma formation on electrode surfaces. Our organization develops new systems for Z to provide in-situ electrode cleaning to mitigate or eliminate contaminant plasma formation on electrodes which limit current coupling efficiency. Furthermore, we evaluate advanced power flow coupling elements to provide faster risetimes and/or higher currents.The department also supports a variety of experimental capabilities, and diagnostics in service of the ICF, radiation effects, materials, pulsed power, and fundamental science missions on the Z accelerator. We steward the development of advanced magnetic field coils, fast gas-puff nozzles, and related applied high voltage technologies. We are responsible for the development and operation of advanced optical diagnostic technologies, such as Streak Visible Spectroscopy (SVS) and Z Line VISAR (ZLV), which are fielded on a very large fraction of experiments conducted at the Z Pulsed Power Facility.We also steward the Mykonos linear transformer driver (LTD) that delivers MA class current to a small target chamber in support of pulsed power and HED science. This facility allows for hands-on, pulsed power, experimental training for students and staff along-side senior Sandia scientists in an environment that is more accessible than the Z Facility. Our Mykonos Academic Access Program (MAAP) grants outside University access to the facility as part of the ZNetUS network and is a dynamic driver for exciting science and innovation.

About Sandia

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation's premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co-workers
• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov

*These benefits vary by job classification.

Security Clearance

This position does not currently require a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance.

Sandia will conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Furthermore, employees in New Mexico need to pass a U.S. Air Force background screen for access to Kirtland Air Force Base. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause access to be denied or terminated, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. Under federal law, citizens and agents of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation are generally prohibited from accessing Sandia National Laboratories. Accordingly, such individuals will not be considered for employment unless they are also a citizen of the United States.

If hired without a clearance and it subsequently becomes necessary to obtain and maintain one for the position, or you bid on positions that require a clearance, a pre-processing background review may be conducted prior to a required federal background investigation. Applicants for a DOE security clearance need to be U.S. citizens. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Members of the workforce (MOWs) hired at Sandia who require uncleared access for greater than 179 days during their employment, are required to go through the Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) process. Access includes physical and/or cyber (logical) access, as well as remote access to any NNSA information technology (IT) systems. UPIV requirements are not applicable to individuals who require a DOE personnel security clearance for the performance of their SNL employment or to foreign nationals. The UPIV process will include the completion of a USAccess Enrollment, SF-85 (Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions) and OF-306 (Declaration of for Federal Employment). An unfavorable UPIV determination will result in immediate retrieval of the SNL issued badge, removal of cyber (logical) access and/or removal from SNL subcontract. All MOWs may appeal the unfavorable UPIV determination to DOE/NNSA immediately. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the MOW may try to go through the UPIV process one year after the decision date.

EEO

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.