Summer High School Research Intern -Spatial Proteomics, Translational Omics

Overview

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.

Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.

The Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate (EBSD) leads critical research in four areas:
Atmospheric, Climate & Earth Sciences, Biological Sciences, Environmental Molecular Sciences, and Global Change. Our vision is to develop a predictive understanding of biological and Earth systems in transition. We aim to understand energy and material flows within the integrated Earth system; to understand, predict, and control the response of biosystems to environmental and/or genomic changes; and to   Model the Earth system from the subsurface to the atmosphere.

The Biological Sciences Division has 17 collaborative, interdisciplinary biology-based teams to tackle major challenges in ecosystem sustainability, bioenergy, human health, and national security. Teams use unique field sites, advanced instrumentation, and integrated computational approaches to explore molecular-scale processes. Strategic efforts focus on advancing molecular measurement capabilities, uncovering the structure and function of molecular dark matter, identifying control points in complex systems, and developing domain-aware AI to accelerate discovery and hypothesis-driven research

Responsibilities

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is seeking a junior or senior high school student for the summer High School Research Internship (HSRI). This internship provides an opportunity for students interested in preparing for careers in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) to work during the summer with a scientist/mentor in a specified research area. HSRI is a 10-week program, with an estimated start date based on the start date;

the anticipated start date for the summer cohort will be June 16, 2026.

The successful candidate will be learning about mass spectrometry-based spatial proteomics applications in cancer, data acquisition for clinical specimens, and data analysis and interpretation. The candidate will focus on learning, solving problems, and/or improving existing workflows. She/he will have the opportunity to collaborate with the research mentor and scientists in a fast-paced, cutting-edge environment and project teams at PNNL.

Due to the nature of this program, applicants must be currently enrolled in a local Tri-Cities, WA area high school. This internship is on-site and requires interns to work in person at our Richland, WA, location to support hands-on learning and collaboration.

Responsibilities include:

* Demonstrate consistency and quality work

* Contribute to research projects through assigned tasks

* Prepare report for assigned tasks

Communicate throughout the project and re-prioritize tasks as necessary

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

* Applicants must be currently enrolled as a sophomore, junior or senior in a public or private high school at time of application

* Applicants must be 16 years of age by start date

* Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (from beginning of 9th grade to current standing)

Preferred Qualifications:

* Excellent Math, Biology, and Chemistry knowledge

* Course Work includes AP Biology, Chemistry, Statistics

* Microsoft Office and programming languages such as R and/or Python

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, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers…