Learn and Study

Internships

High school intern Jordan Perkins (a young Black woman) holds a laptop showing the RemPlex website, standing next to mentor researcher Chris Johnson (middle-aged white man). — Richland High School senior Jordan Perkins spent the summer of 2022 as an intern at PNNL. She worked with mentor Chris Johnson, a PNNL senior development engineer and a RemPlex advisor, on the data analysis of pump-and-treat systems on the Hanford Site. (Photo by Andrea Starr | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)

The Department of Energy’s national laboratory system performs critical research to solve the nation’s most challenging problems in areas of energy, environment, and national security. Workforce development—including student internships—is an important aspect of managing and maintaining this important research capability.

Environmental cleanup research and development is an ongoing, complex challenge that calls for a multi-disciplinary workforce. A range of opportunities exists for environmental science internships at PNNL and other national laboratories for students—from high school through graduate levels—working toward careers in engineering, material science, geology, physics, chemistry, biology, hydrology, computer science, data science, and more.

Application deadlines vary depending on the program. See the PNNL Internships webpage for up-to-date information on the Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships, Community College Internships, Environmental Management, and high school internship programs. Or contact Nik Qafoku for emerging opportunities specific to the Center for the Remediation of Complex Sites (RemPlex).

Students and staff scientists share their environmental science internship and career experiences, with an overview of how to apply for multiple DOE internship programs. This December 14, 2022, presentation is part of PNNL’s Center for the RemPlex Seminar Series.