About the role#
Type One Energy is looking for a Materials Scientist Summer Intern to join our ceramic breeder fabrication team. You will work directly with scientists and engineers to support the development and manufacturing of advanced materials for fusion energy systems. This role provides hands-on experience in powder processing, ceramic fabrication, high-temperature processing, and thermo-mechanical testing. You will contribute to the development of scalable manufacturing methods for ceramic breeder pebbles while supporting the advancement of fusion blanket technologies.
What you'll do#
- Assist in the fabrication of experimental lithium-containing ceramic breeder materials through powder processing, mixing, forming, and sintering.
- Produce ceramic breeder pebbles and other components using laboratory-scale manufacturing techniques.
- Operate and maintain high-temperature furnaces and thermal processing equipment.
- Handle lithium-containing materials and laboratory chemicals safely.
- Perform materials characterization using density measurements, particle size analysis, optical and electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and mechanical testing.
- Conduct thermo-mechanical testing to evaluate material performance.
- Build and operate high-vacuum equipment for material fabrication and characterization.
- Collect, analyze, and interpret experimental data to assess processing-property relationships.
- Develop and document standard operating procedures, experimental plans, and technical reports.
- Maintain organized laboratory records and present findings to the materials development team.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in a degree program for materials science, ceramic, mechanical, or nuclear engineering, or a related field. We welcome applications from rising juniors, seniors, graduate, and PhD students.
- Interest in ceramics, powder processing, manufacturing, and experimental materials development.
- Familiarity with fundamental materials science concepts like phase transformations, diffusion, microstructure, and mechanical behavior.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
- Ability to work safely in a laboratory environment and follow established procedures.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience with laboratory research, ceramics, powders, metallurgy, or advanced materials is preferred.
- Proficiency with techniques such as SEM, optical microscopy, XRD, or particle size analysis is a plus.
- Experience with data analysis tools such as Python, MATLAB, Origin, or Excel.
Location & details#
- This internship is based on-site in Knoxville, Tennessee.
- The position is full-time for a 12-week term during Summer 2027.
About Type One Energy
Type One Energy develops fusion power systems based on stellarator technology. The company focuses on sustainable and affordable energy production. It uses advanced manufacturing methods, computational physics, and high-field superconducting magnets. Founded in 2019, the firm operates out of Knoxville, Tennessee. It employs between 201 and 500 people.
How to get in at Type One Energy
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