Global Snow Modeling Intern (Spring/Summer 2026)

Job Description

Job Title: Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate (EBSD) – Atmosphere, Climate, and Earth Science Division (ACES) – Global Snow Modeling Intern (Spring/Summer 2026)

Overview of PNNL and the EBSD Directorate

PNNL is a world-class research institution with core capabilities organized into major Directorates, each focusing on specific areas of scientific research. These include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. PNNL also hosts the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL), a Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science user facility.

The Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate (EBSD) spearheads critical research across four key areas: Atmospheric, Climate & Earth Sciences; Biological Sciences; Environmental Molecular Sciences; and Global Change. EBSD’s overarching vision is to develop a predictive understanding of biological and Earth systems in transition. This involves understanding energy and material flows within the integrated Earth system, predicting and controlling biosystem responses to environmental/genomic changes, and modeling the Earth system from the subsurface to the atmosphere.

The Atmospheric, Climate, and Earth Sciences (ACES) Division, a part of EBSD, comprises diverse multidisciplinary teams. These teams work collaboratively across various career stages to advance the predictive knowledge of Earth systems and address critical challenges relevant to a robust U.S. energy system. ACES scientists contribute their expertise to major sections of the DOE’s Office of Science, Biological and Environmental Research program, including the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) user facility, the Atmospheric System Research program, and the Earth & Environmental Systems Modeling program.

About the Internship

The Atmosphere, Climate, and Earth Science Division is seeking a highly motivated intern for the Spring or Summer of 2026. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the rapidly evolving field of global snow modeling. The selected candidate will play a crucial role in evaluating and improving snowpack simulations within DOE’s advanced Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM).

This internship is a remote opportunity, designed for a duration of 12 to 16 weeks. It offers invaluable experience and fosters the development of transferable knowledge and skills essential for a career in Earth system science. Interns will gain hands-on experience in:
• Running, evaluating, and improving Earth System Models.
• High-performance computing.
• Contributing to large open-source projects on GitHub.
• Science communication.

A significant expected outcome of this project is a contribution to a peer-reviewed publication, following successful completion of the research.

Key Responsibilities

The intern will be responsible for a range of tasks fundamental to the project:
• Collect remote sensing data and utilize it to evaluate existing snowpack simulations within E3SM.
• Improve snowpack parameterizations within the E3SM framework to enhance model accuracy.
• Run E3SM simulations systematically to test model performance and address specific scientific questions.
• Present model improvements and research findings at internal seminars, honing communication skills.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:
• Candidates must be currently matriculated/enrolled in a Master’s program at an accredited college or university.
• A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Working towards a degree in relevant fields such as Civil and Environmental Engineering, Atmosphere Science, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Remote Sensing, or a related field.
• Demonstrated passion for snow hydrology.
• Experience with or a strong interest in:
• Remote sensing
• Land surface modeling
• High-performance computing
• Open-source workflows
• Proficiency with at least one programming language (e.g., Python, R, Julia, MATLAB, C++, Fortran, etc.).
• Prior research experience is preferred, but not mandatory.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment:
• Not applicable.

Testing Designated Position:
• This is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).

About PNNL

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated and diverse workforce. We are committed to core values including Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. PNNL offers an exciting research environment and excellent benefits, including health insurance and flexible work schedules. Located in eastern Washington State, the region is known for stellar outdoor recreation and an affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is conveniently located a 45-minute flight or approximately 3-hour drive from Seattle or Portland, with the nearby PSC airport connecting to 8 major hubs.

Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment Opportunity

PNNL is dedicated to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while addressing critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. For assistance or accommodation due to a disability, contact careers@pnnl.gov.

Drug-Free Workplace

PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace, supported by its Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP), and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.

Security, Credentialing, And Eligibility Requirements

As a national laboratory, PNNL adheres to Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A. New employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. This involves successfully completing an applicable tier of federal background investigation post-hire and receiving a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of investigation depends on job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities. All investigations include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the tier). This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which remain illegal under federal law regardless of state laws.

For Foreign National Candidates:
If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential. In such cases, you will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once the three-year residency requirement is met, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment, with the investigation tier determined by your job duties at that time.

Mandatory Requirements:
The Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits its employees and contractors from having affiliations with the foreign government of a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If offered a position at PNNL and you currently have such an affiliation, you must disclose this information and either recuse yourself from the affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle before your first day of employment.

Compensation

This is a Temporary Hourly position. Employees are offered an employee assistance program and business travel insurance.

• Minimum Salary: USD $20.87/Hr.
• Maximum Salary: USD $31.30/Hr.

PNNL lists the full pay range for positions in job postings. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the range, and actual placement is determined based on an individual’s relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. PNNL does not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers. Instead, offers are determined by position requirements, market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills.