Intern, R&D Graduate Year-Round - Semiconductor Material and Device Sciences, Onsite

We are seeking a Year-Round R&D Graduate Intern to engage in pioneering research focused on the physics, design, and material characterization of wide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductor devices, particularly gallium nitride (GaN) high-power devices. Candidates pursuing an advanced degree in electrical engineering, materials science, physics, or a closely related discipline are encouraged to apply. Are you eager to expand the current understanding of WBG semiconductor technologies? Do you want to learn about and apply advanced electrical and optical measurement techniques to characterize WBG materials and device architectures? If so, this opportunity is for you. You will develop analytical and numerical models to predict carrier transport in wide-bandgap semiconductors and conduct experimental characterization to refine these models. Your contributions will play a crucial role in advancing innovative device architectures that support national security missions and beyond.

Students will gain hands-on, flexible, and intellectually stimulating research experiences while being mentored by leading scientists and engineers at Sandia National Laboratories. These experiences will be complemented by technical seminars and facility tours, providing insight into the diverse engineering and scientific disciplines at Sandia. You will experience:

• Engagement with cutting-edge technical and national security challenges related to wide-bandgap semiconductor technologies.
• Unique hands-on opportunities to work on innovative projects with real-world applications in the field of semiconductor device design and characterization.
• Development of critical skills through collaboration with peers and under the technical mentorship of experts specializing in WBG materials and devices.
• Guidance and preparation for a rewarding career path tailored to your individual interests and strengths in semiconductor research and development.
• Opportunities for personal and professional networking, allowing you to connect with leaders engaged in national-level discussions across various scientific and engineering disciplines.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

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.

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.

• Desired Majors: Physics, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, or similar
• Interest in microelectronics material growth, device design and fabrication, and engineering principles
• Experience with wide-bandgap GaN materials and devices
• Proficiency in scientific computing (Python/MATLAB) for data analysis and the development of custom physical models relevant to semiconductor device physics
• Experience with open-air optical table setups for semiconductor material characterization (e.g., Photoluminescence, Raman, absorption)
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to work in a diverse, multi-disciplinary team environment

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.

The Semiconductor Material and Device Sciences Department 1873 is engaged in compound semiconductor physics and device research, with parallel, complementary efforts in fundamental science and novel device technologies, within 1800, the Center for Material, Physical, and Chemical sciences. One of several current focus areas is III-Nitride based materials and devices for power electronics and other applications, which have enormous short- and long-term potential for Sandias national security missions. Other ongoing efforts include radiation effects and defect spectroscopy, blue and UV optoelectronics, optical metamaterials and associated devices, and novel device concepts generally, as well as magnetic materials.

The department's research utilizes staff expertise in experimental and theoretical semiconductor physics, state-of-the-art micro- and nano-fabrication, and advanced materials and device characterization and modeling. It partners closely with other organizations, including the Advanced Electronic and Optoelectronic Materials Department 1876, other departments in Centers 1300, 5200, 8800, and elsewhere within Sandia, and university and industry collaborators throughout the world. The department makes use of state-of-the-art growth and fabrication facilities associated with MESA (Sandia's Microsystems Engineering, Science, and Applications complex); scientific facilities at CINT (the joint Sandia / Los Alamos Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies); and staff laboratories with specialized characterization equipment.

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.

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.

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.

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.