Are you a college student interested in a career in STEM? An internship at PNNL, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science, is a great opportunity to get some hands-on experience.

SULI— which stands for Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship— is a 10- to 16-week summer or semester-long internship for college sophomores, juniors, or seniors majoring in STEM fields or science policy. Selected students perform research under the guidance of scientists or engineers on projects supporting DOE missions. See DOE’s SULI webpage for complete information regarding key dates, eligibility, and more.

At PNNL, SULI students work with a scientist-mentor in a specific research area to gain maximum exposure to one of the many science and technology areas that underpin DOE’s diverse missions. SULI students benefit from a variety of professional development and networking opportunities, including research seminars, workshops, tours of PNNL’s world-class facilities, and interaction with PNNL leadership, scientists, and engineers. At the end of the internship, interns showcase the results of their experiences at a research symposium.

Applying for an Internship

There are typically three separate internship terms throughout the year. Eligible students must apply through DOE’s SULI application page. After applications are reviewed and approved by DOE, eligible students are referred to PNNL for interview and placement.

Compensation and Reimbursements

Salary, travel, and housing reimbursements are provided for eligible students. Additional information regarding reimbursement is available on the SULI benefits page.

To support PNNL’s diversity goals, preference will be given to eligible students of Hispanic, African-American, or Native American ethnicity. Preference is also given to students who have taken advanced placement courses. However, all students are welcome to apply.

“SULI gave me the opportunity to explore. I had no idea there were so many things one could research or study and make it a career, or have an education background in one area and be excelling in a completely different one. Being a SULI intern allowed me not only to learn from the best scientists in their field, but also to have mentors that chose to help guide me in my own career searching journey.” — Sonia Alcantar, PNNL chemist and former SULI intern