Job Description

What Your Job Will Be Like:

We are seeking an Intern, R&D Graduate Year Round

The Ion Beam Laboratory (IBL) at Sandia National Laboratories is seeking a graduate student intern with interest and expertise in exploring radiation effects in two-dimensional materials and devices.

The IBL combines irradiation capabilities with in-situ electrical characterization techniques, including deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS), photoluminescence (PL), electroluminescence (EL), electron and ion beam induced charge collection (EBIC and IBIC), current voltage characterization (IVs), capacitance voltage characterization (CVs) etc. As well as a suite of in-situ analytical capabilities, such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), enabling state-of-the-art research.

You will use these tools, as well as the cleanroom and characterization tools at the Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT), to explore the fundamentals of radiation effects in atomically-thin transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) and their devices as a function of their composition and surrounding environment. This role will require the intern to perform interdisciplinary research, applying both electrical measurement and physical characterization techniques to identify physical phenomena driving device radiation response. Join our multidisciplinary team to perform state-of-the-art experiments and modeling based around Sandia’s accelerator capabilities.

This position is expected to support these key areas of research at the Ion Beam Laboratory:

• In-situ ion beam irradiation and characterization of two-dimensional semiconductors and devices using heavy ions. This capability allows Sandia’s IBL to provide unprecedented material behavior insight and explore the fundamental science surrounding radiation induced defects and changes in transport phenomena in field effect devices based on an atomically thin TMD channel.
• Spectroscopy- and microscopy-based characterization of radiation effects in materials and material components within devices. Complex extreme environments may be simulated using a combination of radiation and secondary and tertiary perturbing mechanisms. Careful experimental design, including eliminating the perturbing air exposure effects on TMDs from the workflow, is imperative to ensure close alignment between the simulated radiation environment and real world applications. The combination of these unique capabilities enables state-of-the-art research that can only be found at Sandia National Laboratories.

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

• 2D material exfoliation and transfer
• Device design based on monolayer TMDs
• Execution of DC and AC measurements using in-situ approaches, experiment design, and data analysis to characterize radiation effects on transport phenomena in TMD devices
• In-situ and ex-situ characterization of strain, band gap, carrier concentration, defect density, and contaminant identification in TMD devices throughout fabrication and effects of ion irradiation on key TMD properties
• Aiding in maintenance and/or modification of end station and beamline systems
• Generate research publications and present at leading technical conferences

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/51/2024/01/Student-Rate-Sheet\_2024.pdf) .

Qualifications We Require:

You bring the confidence and skills to be eligible for the job by meeting these minimum requirements:

• Earned bachelor's degree
• Currently attending and enrolled full time in an accredited science, engineering, or math graduate program
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0
• Ability to work up to 30 hours per week during the academic year, and up to 40 hours per week during the summer
• Ability to secure and maintatin a U.S. security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship

Qualifications We Desire:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field with at least one (1) year of relevant national laboratory and/or academic and/or industry research experience
• Experience in 2D device fabrication and associated cleanroom tools, including at least some of the following: lithography, physical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition, plasma etch, wet bench
• Experience in spectroscopy-based characterization of vibrational modes and/or chemical bonding and/or electronic structure in monolayer and few layer 2D materials
• Experience in synthesis or exfoliation of monolayer 2D materials
• Self-motivated, ability and desire to plan and execute a multidisciplinary research project
• Basic understanding of radiation-solid interactions and governing physics
• Experience in synthesis or exfoliation of monolayer 2D materials
• Experience in and desire to work closely within an interdisciplinary research team
• Experience in scientific data analysis, scientific writing, and oral presentations
• Experience with programming languages such as Python or LabView, or experience with software-hardware interaction
• Superb interpersonal skills, willingness to work closely with and rely on the project team to execute project deliverables and enhance scientific impact of the candidates’ research

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 Radiation-Solid Interactions Department consists of a mix of post-doctoral appointees, permanent technical staff and technologists running and maintaining the Ion Beam Laboratory (IBL). We have a vibrant team representing a wide range of backgrounds, skill sets and work styles. The IBL houses 7 major accelerators: a 6 MV Tandem, a 3 MV Pelletron, a 1 MV tandem, a 400 kV implanter, a 30 kV Helium Ion Microscope and both a 35kV and 100 kV mass velocity filtered focused ion beam systems with <10nm spot size on target. Other experimental facilities include micro beam lines on all the major accelerators and a TEM, equipped with gas, fluid, and nanomechanical stages, with in-situ ion irradiation available from both the Tandem and a Colutron source. While our major equipment is typically run by individual technologists, the team works together to develop new capabilities, perform maintenance, and produce great scientific results.

The IBL engages in three major research thrusts:

• Understanding the performance of materials in radiation environments. These projects impact the performance of microelectronics in space and other hostile environments, as well as cladding materials in nuclear reactor and storage environments.
• Developing and applying novel ion beam techniques to precisely measure materials compositions. Applications in this area include mapping hydrogen isotopes in fusion wall material and measuring the composition of thin complex materials such as transition metal oxides.
• Exploring the materials science of defects in solids. This broad area includes single ion implants for quantum applications, anomalous grain growth in nanograined materials, hydride formation under irradiation, and nanomechanical responses of materials.

Within each research thrust, individual staff develop a deep expertise in relevant subject matter, and our technologists develop unique technical knowledge in instrumentation and data acquisition. Teams are formed using these discriminating and complementary skillsets to collaborate in research that has direct impact on Sandia’s mission areas.

Our team and our leadership is committed to nurturing a culture that welcomes people of broad and diverse backgrounds and perspectives, encourages dialogue and sharing of ideas, and strives for excellence in research.

Join us and work towards your goals while making a difference!

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 vacations, 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 Q-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 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: 694214

Job Family: 91

Regular/Temporary Position: T

Full/Part-Time Status: P

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.