Graduate Intern – Focused Ion Beam, Electron Microscopy, and Autonomous Characterization

Summary

The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is a leading institution for energy systems research and development. They are seeking a Graduate Intern to support cutting-edge work in focused ion beam and plasma FIB instrumentation, contributing to the operation and advancement of a unique autonomous platform.

Responsibilities

• Assist with maintenance, calibration, and performance validation of FIB, PFIB, and laser PFIB instruments, following established procedures and safety protocols
• Develop and test Python-based instrument scripting and automation routines for ion beam control, image acquisition, and adaptive workflow execution
• Build and validate computer vision pipelines — including semantic segmentation models — for real-time site identification, feature detection, and sample quality assessment during FIB/PFIB operations
• Support time-sensitive customer characterization assignments, including sample preparation, data collection, and preparation of concise technical reports on short turnaround
• Explore integration of foundation models and large language models (LLMs) for natural language instrument interfacing, automated reporting, and AI-guided experimental decision-making
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary staff across materials science, physics, chemistry, and engineering; document methods and contribute to internal reports and peer-reviewed publications as appropriate

Skills

• 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
• Strong background in materials science, physics, chemistry, engineering, or a closely related discipline at the master's level
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; demonstrated ability to produce clear technical documentation and meet reporting deadlines
• Ability to work effectively in diverse, multidisciplinary research teams
• Prior experience with FIB, PFIB, SEM, TEM, or related electron/ion beam instrumentation, including operation, maintenance, or scripting
• Proficiency in Python, including scripting for instrument control, data acquisition, or image processing
• Experience with computer vision methods applied to scientific or engineering image data (e.g., segmentation, object detection, feature extraction)
• Familiarity with Thermo Fisher Scientific (or FEI) instruments (e.g., Helios platform) or equivalent Tescan, JEOL systems
• Prior experience in a national laboratory, industrial R&D, or similarly structured research environment
• Exposure to foundation models or large language models (LLMs) in a research or applied automation context
• Experience with semantic segmentation frameworks (e.g., Segment Anything Model, U-Net, Mask R-CNN) or related deep learning tools applied to scientific imaging

Qualifications

Must Haves

• 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
• Strong background in materials science, physics, chemistry, engineering, or a closely related discipline at the master's level
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; demonstrated ability to produce clear technical documentation and meet reporting deadlines
• Ability to work effectively in diverse, multidisciplinary research teams

Nice to Haves

• Prior experience with FIB, PFIB, SEM, TEM, or related electron/ion beam instrumentation, including operation, maintenance, or scripting
• Proficiency in Python, including scripting for instrument control, data acquisition, or image processing
• Experience with computer vision methods applied to scientific or engineering image data (e.g., segmentation, object detection, feature extraction)
• Familiarity with Thermo Fisher Scientific (or FEI) instruments (e.g., Helios platform) or equivalent Tescan, JEOL systems
• Prior experience in a national laboratory, industrial R&D, or similarly structured research environment
• Exposure to foundation models or large language models (LLMs) in a research or applied automation context
• Experience with semantic segmentation frameworks (e.g., Segment Anything Model, U-Net, Mask R-CNN) or related deep learning tools applied to scientific imaging

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*
• Sick leave (where required by law)
• Performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component (NLR employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component.)
• Relocation expense reimbursement (Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement.)