Microwave Properties and Modeling

About the role

The Professional Internship Program at NETL introduces undergraduate and recent Bachelor's students to energy research challenges and enables graduate students and recent Master's graduates to build on their studies. Through the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), this opportunity seeks a student researcher to work in the Research Innovation Center (RIC) on Coal Conversion & Products under mentor Dushyant Shekhawat at the NETL Morgantown, WV campus, focusing on microwave-based processes and material characterization.

Responsibilities

• Investigate microwave-relevant properties of materials such as catalysts, ceramics, semiconductors, ores, solvents, and newly synthesized materials.
• Measure dielectric properties at elevated temperatures, thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity, density, porosity, and other relevant material properties.
• Analyze and interpret characterization data to identify trends, evaluate reproducibility and measurement reliability, and develop a fundamental understanding of material behavior under relevant conditions.
• Collaborate on the development and documentation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for material characterization and measurement systems to ensure consistent, reliable, and reproducible measurements.
• Contribute to manuscripts, journal articles, book chapters, conference presentations, posters, patents, and other publications as part of the appointment.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing or recently received an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or a related field.
• Experience with data analysis and experimental methodology.
• Experience with dielectric and/or thermal property measurements preferred.
• Strong attention to detail, thoroughness, and commitment to data quality and reproducibility.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and operate laboratory instrumentation.
• Experience with programming, automation, or developing macros to streamline and improve measurement workflow