Post Bachelors RA - Metallic LIFT

Post-Bachelor Research Associate

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is hosting a Minerals to Materials Supply Chain Research Facility (METALLIC) Laboratory-to-Industry-For Talent (LIFT) program. METALLIC is a Department of Energy (DOE) initiative led by the National Energy Technology Laboratory and supported by a consortium of nine national laboratories. METALLIC LIFT is an emerging workforce development effort that is part of the broader METALLIC ecosystem. It embeds workforce development directly into the critical minerals and materials (CMM) innovation ecosystem and provides a key pathway to careers in the supply-chain ecosystem.

LIFT strategically leverages DOE national laboratory capabilities and facilities to drive institutional capacity, create jobs, and pave pathways to CMM careers in the Lab system and with industry. Integrating workforce into METALLIC ensures technical advances translate into deployable capacity, resilient regional ecosystems, and a workforce capable of securing America's critical mineral future.

PNNL is seeking recent graduates who are interested in participating at the Richland campus.

This internship begins on September 28, 2026. Applicants must be available to start on that date and work on-site.

The METALLIC LIFT Post-Bachelor Research Associate will investigate Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE) for manufacturing magnetic materials and copper-based high-strength wires. This role involves collaborating with PNNL researchers to develop manufacturing processes and study how processing conditions affect microstructure, mechanical properties, conductivity, and magnetic performance.

This opportunity is ideal for an experimentalist who enjoys hands-on work with machinery to develop processes relevant to industry. The research associate will collaborate with senior PNNL staff to:

• Plan, design, and conduct experimental research involving ShAPE
• Relate microstructure, mechanical properties, and conductivity/coercivity to ShAPE process conditions
• Document results in conference proceedings and peer-reviewed publications.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Candidates must have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university within the past 24 months, or complete their bachelor's degree by September 18, 2026.
• Must be able to start on September 28, 2026.

Preferred Qualifications:

• BS degree in mechanical engineering, materials engineering, materials science, or a related field
• Skilled with mechanical equipment
• Solid Works experience
• Hands-on experience with severe plastic deformation (e.g., friction stir welding) or traditional thermomechanical processing of materials (e.g., extrusion, rolling, forging, stamping)
• Strong team player
• Ability to deliver quality work on time to meet project and client needs
• Strong analytical, task management, and communication skills (both oral and written)