Intern, R&D Undergraduate Summer - Environmental Systems Biology, Onsite

What Your Job Will Be Like:

We are seeking a Intern Summer - R&D Undergrad

The Environmental Systems Biology department and Biosystems and Bioproducts group seek an outstanding undergraduate student to work with a multidisciplinary research team in the biosciences. The Biosystems and Bioproducts group designs, develops, implements, tests, and delivers advanced biotechnology solutions and work on topic areas including subsurface microbiology, anaerobic microbiology, algal biotechnology, microbial ecology of extreme environments, bioinformatics, biological imaging, biological detection, and remote monitoring. As an intern, you will be mentored by a staff member and have the potential to participate in a variety of research projects relted to the fields described above. You will also receive hand-on lab experience using cutting edge intrumentation and contribute to Sandia's mission-driven science.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Maintain algal, bacterial, and/or archaeal cultures on plates and in liquid medium

• Perform aerobic and/or anaerobic culturing of microbes

• Isolate and quantify DNA or RNA

• Perform PCR or qPCR

• Evaluate effects of various treatments on microbial survival, growth, or other characteristics

• Perform microscopy

• Work on a wide-range of research projects

• Learn experimental protocols to carry out laboratory work safely

• Follow procedures to make buffers and reagents as required for experimental needs

• Assist in experiment execution to meet project milestones

• Maintain a laboratory notebook and present your work in lab meetings and conferences

• Aid in the maintenance of the laboratory and daily lab operations

Salary Range:

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 (https://www.sandia.gov/app/uploads/sites/51/2024/12/Student-Rate-Sheet-2025.docx) .

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

• Ability to secure and maintatin a U.S. security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship

  Note: If you have not earned a HS diploma or equivalent, please apply to a high school intern position.

Qualifications We Desire:

• Previous laboratory experience in a biological laboratory.

• Experience with aseptic technique and microbiology

• Eagerness to learn new skills in biochemistry and molecular biology.

• Strong written and communication skills.

• Demonstrated experience working in a team-based environment.

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 Biosciences & Chemical Defense Group at Sandia National Laboratories includes four departments located in Albuquerque, NM: Molecular and Microbiology, Biological and Chemical Sensors, Computational Biology and Biophysics, and Exploratory Systems. These four departments support mission areas in biodefense, emerging infectious disease, and biofuels. Scientists these groups conduct fundamental research in cell biology, immunology, microbiology, metabolic engineering, biophysics, biochemistry, and chemistry. Research projects include chemical and biological routes for conversion of biomass and waste plastics into useful fuels and chemicals, receptor activation and cell signaling processes, pathogenesis, mechanisms of novel antibiotics, plant physiology, biomass-degrading enzymes, metabolic engineering for biofuel and biosensing applications, algal biochemistry and cultivation characterization for biofuels applications, and nanoparticle development. We conduct research for the National Institutes of Health, Basic Energy Sciences, the Department of Homeland Security (http://www.dhs.gov/) , the Department of Defense (http://www.defense.gov/) , the Bioenergy Technologies Office (http://energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/bioenergy-technologies-office) , U.S. Industry, and Sandia's Laboratory Directed Research & Development program (http://www.sandia.gov/ldrd/) .

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 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.

Security Clearance:

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE L-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. 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.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by the DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

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: 694936

Job Family: 91

Regular/Temporary Position: T

Full/Part-Time Status: P