What Your Job Will Be Like:
We are seeking an undergraduate summer intern to work on understanding experiments on the Z pulsed power facility aimed at understanding wire array z-pinch-based current switch. Wire array current switches are a promising way to compress the current pulse delivered to targets. These current switches have potential applications to pulsed power driven nuclear fusion, but have not been investigated on Z before. The first two experiments exploring these techniques are scheduled to be conducted in calendar year 2024. These experiments are expected to provide a wealth of data and this internship will provide the opportunity to help us understand this data and the potential for these techniques.
On any given day, you may be called on to:
Develop an understanding of high energy density science and, specifically, current switching techniches through individual research and discussion with colleagues
Develop a simple simulation models that describes the operation of the current switch
Process experiemntal data from the Z facility and compare to simple models
Work individually and as part of a team
Qualifications We Require:
You bring the confidence and skills to be eligible for the job by meeting these minimum requirements:
Currently attending and enrolled full time in the spring term immediately preceding the internship (or scheduled to graduate in the spring) in an accredited undergraduate program
Pursuing a science, engineering, or math major
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0
Ability to work up to 40 hours per week during the summer
U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, asylees or refugees in the U.S.
Note: If you have not yet started your undergraduate program, please apply to a high school intern position.
Qualifications We Desire:
Be pursuing an undergraduate degree in Physics, Nuclear Engineering, or related fields of study.
Be self-motivated, hard-working, detail-oriented, and thorough.
Ability to work well in a team environment
Experience with programming tools such as MATLAB and/or Python
Posting Duration:
This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the ‘posting date’. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.
About Our Team:
The Fusion Experiments department (01683) designs and performs Inertial Confinement Fusion and High Energy Density Physics experiments in support of the NNSA’s stockpile stewardship program. The department also develops and supports state-of-the-art diagnostic systems used for fusion experiments, including nuclear diagnostics and x-ray and laser imaging. Experiments are principally performed on Sandia’s Z pulsed power facility, with team members also performing experiments on the Mykonos pulsed power driver at Sandia, laser facilities including Z-Beamlet, the National Ignition Facility and Omega and at Sandia’s Ion Beam Laboratory. The department has active collaborations with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, the Naval Research Laboratory, the UK Atomic Weapons Establishment, and a variety of universities.
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 vacations, 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.
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.
Job ID: 692459