Graduate (Year-Round) Internship – Digital Twin Development for Biorefinery Processes

About the role

The Integrated Carbon Conversion Processes (ICCP) Group within NREL's Catalytic Carbon Transformation and Scale-Up (CCTS) Center has an opening for a Graduate Internship position. The selected candidate will support senior process engineers, modelers, and data scientists in developing a digital twin for an experimental biological and thermocatalytic conversion platform.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement process models representing biomass conversion, upgrading, and separation units
• Integrate sensor data and historical process data into the digital twin architecture
• Develop simulation tools and dashboards for visualization, control, and scenario analysis
• Contribute to model validation using pilot-scale data and collaboration on experimental feedback loops
• Document assumptions, system architecture, and modeling workflows for reproducibility and team collaboration
• Participate in team meetings and present regular progress updates
• Contribute toward peer reviewed manuscripts and other technical documentation

Requirements

• 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
• 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
• Graduate + PhD: Completed master’s degree and enrolled as PhD student from an accredited institution

Qualifications

• Experience programming in Python and/or C++
• Experience modeling chemical reactors (e.g., using Cantera) and integrating with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) frameworks
• Experience building techno-economic models using software platforms (e.g., Aspen Plus)
• Exposure to artificial intelligence/machine learning methods for process optimization or anomaly detection
• Experience with digital twin platforms (e.g., AnyLogic, TwinCAT, Siemens Xcelerator)
• Interest in bioprocessing, energy systems, or sustainable technology development
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*
• Sick leave (where required by law)

Pay

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week): $44,500 - $71,200

Schedule

Projected to be less than 20 hours per week are not eligible for medical, dental, or vision benefits.