Posting Title

Graduate (Fall 2025) Intern - Microscopy on Polymer Membranes

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Location

CO - Golden

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Position Type

Intern (Fixed Term)

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Hours Per Week

40

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Working at NREL

From day one at NREL, you’ll connect with coworkers driven by the same mission to save the planet. By joining an organization that values a supportive, inclusive, and flexible work environment, you’ll have the opportunity to engage through our ten employee resource groups, numerous employee-driven clubs, and learning and professional development classes.

NREL supports inclusive, diverse, and unbiased hiring practices that promote creativity and innovation. By collaborating with organizations that focus on diverse talent pools, reaching out to underrepresented demographics, and providing an inclusive application and interview process, our Talent Acquisition team aims to hear all voices equally. We strive to attract a highly diverse workforce and create a culture where every employee feels welcomed and respected and they can be their authentic selves.

Our planet needs us! Learn about NREL’s critical objectives, and see how NREL is focused on saving the planet.

We invite all interested candidates to apply for this opportunity. While we recognize that job seekers may hesitate if they don’t meet every requirement, we encourage dedicated individuals who meet all the basic and additional required qualifications of the role to submit an application. We value the opportunity to consider those who believe they have the necessary skills and ambition to succeed at NREL.

Job Description

NREL is seeking a motivated and talented Microscopy Intern to join the Analytical Microscopy and Imaging Sciences Group. This position will support NREL's work developing polymer membranes for electrolysis, resource recovery, carbon capture, and water purification applications. The candidate will perform structural characterization of polymer films using a combination of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Experience with TEM and the ability to independently undertake basic TEM imaging is required. Experience with TEM of soft materials, including sample preparations relevant to soft materials (e.g., ultramicrotome) and low-dose imaging, is a plus. Experience with basic SEM sample preparation for polymer samples is preferred.

In addition to TEM and SEM characterization, the candidate will collaborate with other team members on atomic force microscopy (AFM). Experience with different AFM modes (e.g. tapping, force spectroscopy) would be valued.

Key responsibilities will include:

• TEM sample preparation and characterization of polymer films
• SEM sample preparation and imaging of polymer films
• Contribute to AFM image analysis
• Participate in membrane performance testing

This internship is expected to start in fall 2025 and last for approximately 6 months.

It's preferred that the intern be available for 40 hours/week throughout the internship. However, part-time work is also acceptable.

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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.

Please Note:
• Applicants are responsible for uploading official or unofficial school transcripts, as part of the application process.
• If selected for position, a letter of recommendation will be required as part of the hiring process.
• Must