Summer Internship - Materials Scientist

company

Join us in our mission to commercialize fusion energy ⚡️

About Type One Energy

Type One Energy Group is mission-driven to provide sustainable, affordable fusion power to the world. Established in 2019 and venture-backed in 2023, the company is led by a team of globally recognized fusion scientists with a strong track record of building state-of-the-art stellarator fusion machines, together with veteran business leaders experienced in scaling companies and commercializing energy technologies.

role

If you are searching for the best new ideas and share our vision, join us as a Materials Scientist Summer Intern on the ceramic breeder fabrication team . This is what you need to know:

Location: Knoxville, TN

Salary:  $25-$35/hour, 40 hours per week

Contract: 12-week internship, Summer 2027 (May 24 th start date)

Reporting to: Sr. Director Nuclear & Fuel Cycle Engineering

Your role in the mission:

Type One Energy is seeking a motivated materials science summer intern on the to support the development and manufacturing of advanced ceramic breeder materials for fusion energy systems.

The intern will work directly with scientists and engineers to fabricate, characterize, and test lithium-containing ceramic materials used for tritium breeding applications. This position provides extensive hands-on laboratory experience in powder processing, ceramic fabrication, high-temperature processing, materials characterization, and thermo-mechanical testing. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of scalable manufacturing methods for ceramic breeder pebbles and components while supporting the advancement of fusion blanket technologies.

Key responsibilities could include:

- Assist in the fabrication of experimental lithium-containing ceramic breeder materials through powder processing, mixing, forming, sintering, and other ceramic processing operations.
- Participate in the production of ceramic breeder pebbles and other ceramic components using laboratory-scale manufacturing techniques.
- Operate and maintain high-temperature furnaces and thermal processing equipment used for calcination, sintering, and heat treatment.
- Support safe handling and processing of lithium-containing materials and associated laboratory chemicals.
- Perform materials characterization using techniques such as density measurements, particle size analysis, optical and electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and mechanical property testing.
- Conduct thermo-mechanical testing to evaluate material performance under conditions relevant to fusion energy applications.
- Build and operate high-vacuum equipment to fabricate and characterize new materials
- Collect, analyze, and interpret experimental data to assess processing-property relationships and identify opportunities for process improvement.
- Assist in developing and documenting standard operating procedures, experimental plans, and technical reports.
- Maintain organized laboratory records and contribute to a safe, clean, and efficient working environment.
- Present technical findings and project updates to the broader materials development team.

What you'll need:

- Currently pursuing a degree in materials science and engineering, ceramic engineering, mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering, or a related field. Rising juniors, seniors, graduate, and PhD students are encouraged to apply.
- Interest in ceramics, powder processing, manufacturing, and experimental materials development.
- Familiarity with fundamental materials science concepts, including phase transformations, diffusion, microstructure, and mechanical behavior.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
- Desire to work in a fast-paced and dynamic startup R&D environment
- Ability to work safely in a laboratory environment and follow established procedures.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Prior laboratory, undergraduate research, or internship experience involving ceramics, powders, metallurgy, or advanced materials.
- Experience with powder processing, pressing, extrusion, drop-tower fabrication, granulation, or sintering methods.
- Familiarity with materials characterization techniques such as SEM, optical microscopy, XRD, particle size analysis, or density measurements.
- Experience performing mechanical testing or thermo-mechanical characterization of materials.
- Experience using data analysis tools such as Python, MATLAB, Origin, or Excel.
- Interest in fusion energy, nuclear materials, advanced manufacturing, or clean energy technologies.

Type One Energy applies proven advanced manufacturing methods, modern computational physics and high-field superconducting magnets to develop its optimized stellarator fusion energy system. Our FusionDirect development program pursues the lowest-risk, shortest-schedule path to a fusion power plant over the coming decade, using a partner-intensive and capital-efficient strategy.

Type One Energy is committed to community engagement in the development and deployment of its clean energy technology. For more information, visit www.typeoneenergy.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

Export Control Compliance Notice

This position may require access to technology, technical data, software, or other information that is subject to U.S. export control laws and regulations. Any offer of employment will be contingent upon the Company's ability to comply with applicable U.S. Export Control Laws, including obtaining any required government authorizations.

Type One Energy is a Global, U.S.-based company that develops and utilizes technologies subject to U.S. export control and trade compliance regulations. Certain positions may require access to controlled technologies, technical data, software, or other information regulated by U.S. Export Control Laws.

For positions involving access to export-controlled technology or information, the Company may be required to determine whether any government authorization or license is needed before such access can be provided. Any offer of employment for such positions may be contingent upon the Company's ability to comply with applicable U.S. Export Control Laws and obtain any required government authorizations.

U.S. Employment Eligibility Verification

For positions based in the United States, Type One Energy participates in E-Verify and verifies the identity and employment authorization of newly hired employees in accordance with applicable federal law. Employees hired to work in the United States will be required to complete the Form I-9 employment eligibility verification process upon hire.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Type One Energy is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, business needs, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Candidate Privacy

Type One Energy collects personal information from applicants for recruitment, hiring, and related business purposes. We process applicant information in accordance with applicable privacy and data protection laws and take reasonable measures to protect the confidentiality and security of personal information. By applying for a position, you acknowledge that your personal information may be collected, used, stored, transferred, and disclosed as necessary to evaluate your candidacy, conduct pre-employment screenings where permitted by law, and comply with legal and regulatory requirements.