Undergraduate (Year-Round) Internship - PV Reliability

Posting TitleUndergraduate (Year-Round) Internship - PV Reliability

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LocationCO - Golden

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Position TypeIntern (Fixed Term)

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Hours Per Week40

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Working at NRELThe National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for research and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

Join a team of world-class scientists, engineers, and visionaries dedicated to shaping the world’s energy future through cutting-edge research and innovation. From our vision to our NREL community, we are unique in the research community. We are focused on impact. From our work in basic sciences to systems engineering, analysis, demonstration, and deployment, we are focused on solving market-relevant problems that result in advanced, secure, reliable, and affordable energy systems. We are trusted clean energy leaders, developing cost-saving solutions that make U.S. industries more competitive, and support job creation and economic growth across rural and urban communities.

At NREL, we offer a unique, mission-driven work environment with cutting-edge facilities and multidisciplinary research teams. NREL's environment offers strong partnerships with industry, academia, and other national laboratories, as well as professional development opportunities and a competitive benefits package for employees.

Learn about NREL’s critical objectives: NREL's Mission and Vision.

Job Description

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL) Materials, Chemical, and Computational Science (MCCS) directorate has an immediate opening for an undergraduate student in Golden, Colorado to assist with laboratory work studying the performance and reliability of materials for PV modules. A continued internship is anticipated, including both the summer and subsequent school year. A variety of materials are being examined in the PV Reliability group, including polymer encapsulants, backsheets, and optical coatings. The work here is expected to focus on the durability of polymeric backsheets, encapsulants, edge seals and optical coatings in accelerated testing. The work will consist of preparation and examination of a large number of samples using a wide variety of techniques, with an emphasis on mechanical testing.

Good skills with Microsoft Excel and general data management skills are desired. Python programming skills are a useful but not necessary.

This is an excellent opportunity for a student who desires to obtain relevant laboratory experience in preparation for graduate school or a career in industries including those involving materials science, mechanical engineering, electrical device engineering, reliability, or physics.

Duties

• Help to create samples for stress testing.
• Organize and handle samples in and out of accelerated test chambers.
• Measurement of optical and mechanical properties of stressed samples as well as the electrical performance of solar panel devices.
• Use new test instruments (both purchased and custom) and develop test procedures for their use.
• Record, organize, analyze, and summarize results using Excel spreadsheets or other software packages. Statistics based analysis of variance, “ANOVA”.
• Communicate effectively with mentor about the expected work, progress toward completing that work, and any issues in completing the work as planned.
• Be trained in laboratory safety procedures and follow these consistently.

Candidates who are able to work onsite more than 15-20 hours per week during the school year are preferred. The hiring team can offer up to 40 hours per week during academic breaks and holidays.

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Basic QualificationsMinimum 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 meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Ability to conduct laboratory experiments, sometimes independently, with the utmost regard to safety.
• An inquiring mind, with attention to detail.
• Ability to follow and prioritize multiple projects.

This internship will consider only current undergraduates or those who have graduated with a bachelor's degree within 12 months of the start of the internship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Laboratory work experience.
• Aptitude for hands-on projects.
• Aptitude for technical problem solving.
• Computer skills for logging and organizing large data sets.
• Python coding experience for data analysis.
• Teamwork ethic and ability to communicate within the team.
• Familiarity with scientific method.
• Familiarity or course work on mechanics of materials, electronics, or material property measurements.

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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 (based on full-time 40 hours per week)Job Profile: / Annual Salary Range: $34,800 - $55,700

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 SummaryBenefits 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 RequirementNREL 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.

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Equal Opportunity 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.

Reasonable Accommodations

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