Research and Development - Computational Materials Science: Continuum Scales and Materials Discovery Intern

About the role#

As an intern in the Mechanics, Materials, and Process Research Lab, you will advance computational materials science at continuum length scales. Your work supports the discovery, design, and deployment of materials for next-generation vehicle and manufacturing applications. You will propose research directions, build technical plans, and lead studies that connect material composition, microstructure, and processing to performance requirements. This role sits at the intersection of simulation, materials discovery, and experimental validation.

What you'll do#

• Plan and execute collaborative research in computational materials science.
• Develop physics-based models for composition-process-structure-property relationships.
• Build and apply continuum and mesoscale simulation methods, including finite-element analysis, phase-field modeling, and crystal plasticity.
• Integrate thermodynamics, kinetics, mechanics, and materials data into predictive computational workflows.
• Use high-throughput computation, optimization, and data-driven methods to screen candidate materials.
• Partner with experimental researchers to define informative experiments and interpret results.
• Establish practices for model verification, validation, calibration, and uncertainty quantification.
• Connect computational insights to manufacturing processes and vehicle performance requirements.
• Collaborate with internal engineering teams, universities, and national laboratories.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, publications, and software documentation.
• Generate intellectual property and assist in mentoring other employees.

What you'll need#

• Current pursuit of an Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computational Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Strong foundation in materials thermodynamics, kinetics, mechanics, transport, numerical methods, and structure-property relationships.
• Experience developing or applying continuum-scale models to materials, manufacturing processes, or engineering systems.
• Proficiency in scientific programming and data analysis using Python, C/C++, Fortran, MATLAB, Julia, or similar.
• Experience with numerical algorithms, high-performance computing, and version-controlled software.
• Ability to formulate research questions, translate physical assumptions into models, and communicate model limitations.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary research teams with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work full-time (40 hours per week) during the summer months.

Location & details#

• Location: Warren, Michigan.
• Term: Summer 2027.
• Work Modality: Hybrid (requires reporting to Warren, MI, at least three times per week).
• Employment: Full-time internship.
• Eligibility: This position is subject to export control restrictions and requires the candidate to be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee, or refugee). GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role.