Microscopy Intern

Job Description

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is seeking a motivated and talented Microscopy Intern to join the Analytical Microscopy and Imaging Sciences Group. The intern will work primarily on facility management of tools including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), focused ion beam (FIB) dual beam microscopes, scanning transmission electron microscopes (STEM), and scanning probe microscopes (SPM). The laboratories accommodate a wide distribution of researcher that access the equipment and laboratories for an array of clean energy materials.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collect scanning electron microscope images on samples.
• Laboratory checks to ensure equipment is in proper operating condition, weekly alignments are needed for some tools. Cryogen dewar filling is needed on some tools.
• Organization and cleaning of sample holders for many microscopes.
• Coordinate training documents and training schedule for new users on tools.
• Collaborate with researchers to plan and execute facility maintenance.
• Engage in weekly remote meetings on next steps and current needs.

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.
• Undergraduate: Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a bachelor's degree program from an accredited institution.
• Post Undergraduate: Earned a bachelor's degree within the past 12 months. Eligible for an internship period of up to one year.
• Graduate: Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a master's degree program from an accredited institution.
• Post Graduate: Earned a master's degree within the past 12 months. Eligible for an internship period of up to one year.
• Graduate + PhD: Completed master's degree and enrolled as PhD student from an accredited institution.

Additional Required Qualifications:

• Familiarity with scanning electron microscopy.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with electron microscopy or other materials characterization techniques.
• Interest and aptitude in experimental work with large interdisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Job Application Submission Window:

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range:

Job Profile: / Annual Salary Range: $34,000 - $54,400

NREL takes into consideration a candidate's education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee's salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits Summary:

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; and sick leave (where required by law). NREL employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Internships projected to be less than 20 hours per week are not eligible for medical, dental, or vision benefits.

*Based on eligibility rules

Badging Requirement:

NREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation. Intern assignments extending beyond six months will be subject to this requirement.

Drug Free Workplace:

NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Submission Guidelines:

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

EEO Policy:

NREL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

EEO is the Law (http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/ofccpost.htm) | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination (https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp_English_unformattedESQA508c.pdf) |

Reasonable Accommodations (http://www.nrel.gov/careers/employment-policies.html)

E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is a leader in the U.S. Department of Energy's effort to secure an environmentally and economically sustainable energy future. With locations in Golden and Boulder, Colorado, and a satellite office in Washington, D.C., NREL is the primary laboratory for research, development, and deployment of renewable energy technologies in the United States.

NREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All candidates must be authorized to access the facility per DOE rules and guidance within a reasonable time frame for the specified position in order to be considered for an interview and for hiring. DOE rules for site access during the interview process depend on whether the candidate is interviewed on-site, off-site, or via telephone or videoconference. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation. Additionally, DOE contractor employees are prohibited from participating in certain Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs (FGTRPs). If a candidate is currently participating in an FGTRP, they will be required to disclose their participation after receiving an offer of employment and may be required to disengage from participation in the FGTRP prior to commencing employment. Any offer of employment is conditional on the ability to obtain work authorization and to be granted access to NREL by the Department of Energy (DOE).

Drug Free Workplace:

NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

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