Undergraduate Student Internship Program

•  Acceptance into an undergraduate program and intent to enroll

• Full time status, 12 undergraduate credit hours per semester (or the equivalent of full-time enrollment).
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale.

Note: Students must provide the Student Programs Office with current, official transcripts annually to remain eligible. See the Annual Transcript Review section for additional information.

Pass a new employment drug test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing.

1. To apply for or browse internships, go to iRecruitment at lanl.gov.
2. Click the Quick Link that applies to you: Post Doc Jobs, Graduate Jobs, or Undergraduate Jobs.
3. Click the Vacancy Name number (in blue) to view any internships’ details.
4. To apply for a position, you must have a job account. When applying, make sure to upload: Resume, cover letter (the cover letter should address the timeframe(s) you are available for an internship), and transcripts
5. If you do not find an internship vacancy that aligns with your academic or professional goals, you can apply to the capability-specific vacancies listed below. Note: The capability-specific vacancies require degree applicability.

The capability-specific vacancies listed below are available August 1, 2023 - March 31, 2024.

• Biological Sciences Internship Program, Vacancy Name IRC123687
• Computational Sciences Internship Program, Vacancy Name IRC123685
• Engineering Internship Program, Vacancy Name IRC123684
• Physical Sciences Internship Program, Vacancy Name IRC123686

For step-by-step instructions visit How to Apply and read the Student opportunities section.

If you have problems with the online application, visit Application Process Issues for assistance.

Most mentors select students by searching the resume database in iRecruitment. We recommend you explore the Lab's website and locate projects/programs that interest you and align with your educational goals. You may contact individuals listed on these webpages and inquire about potential student internships and inform them of your interests. You may also review the Student Symposium Abstracts Book (pdf) to identify prospective mentors.

Many students are selected for internships after networking with Lab employees. Some of our mentors will advertise specific opportunities but most search iRecruitment when they are in need of a student.

1. Student completes paperwork specified by the mentor for the hiring package.
2. Mentor submits a hiring package to Human Resources (HR) for approval.
3. Upon approval, an official offer letter is emailed to the student.
4. Student reviews and accepts the offer, and returns the signed offer letter to HR within two weeks of receiving the letter.
5. Once the signed offer letter is returned, HR will confirm a start date and the student will be scheduled for new hire orientation. Note: Students should not report to their worksite until they have gone through the hiring and orientation process.

The Post-Baccalaureate category offers college graduates the opportunity to participate in the UGS program after graduation.

This category applies to those interns who have been awarded a bachelor's degree within the past three years but have not yet been accepted and enrolled in a graduate program. Post-baccalaureate interns may remain in this category for up to two years.

Interns should use this appointment to prepare for graduate school acceptance (e.g., GRE/GMAT exams, applications, etc.). An intern may move into GRA status when documentation is provided indicating the intern's intention to accept an offer of admission to a graduate program.

Interns who have not been accepted into graduate school at the end of their appointment are no longer eligible to participate in the program.

Apply for or browse internships

1. To apply for or browse internships, go to iRecruitment at jobs.lanl.gov.
2. Click the Quick Link that applies to you: Post Doc Jobs, Graduate Jobs, or Undergraduate Jobs.
3. Click the Vacancy Name number (in blue) to view any internships’ details.
4. To apply for a position, you must have a job account. When applying, make sure to upload:
   • Resume
   • Cover letter
   • Transcripts

The annual transcript and salary review process enables the Student Programs Office to ensure year-round and returning students continue to meet our eligibility requirements and are progressing in their academic programs. This process also ensures students are being compensated in accordance with their level of academic attainment.

A new process to collect official transcripts from students pursuing an undergraduate (AA/AS/BA/BS) or graduate (MA/MS/PhD) degree is in place. Students must upload their most recent official transcript to the FERPA/HIPPA compliant Transcript Review Google form as a PDF or JPEG.

Upload a transcript ONLY if the following is true:

1. You have completed your fall semester and your grades and upcoming spring semester schedule have been posted to the transcript.
2. You have completed your winter quarter and your grades and upcoming spring quarter schedule have been posted to the transcript.

All UGS and GRA Students (casual and year-round) are required to participate in the transcript review process. Failure to do so could result in the termination of your student internship. *High School, Post Bachelors and Post Masters interns are exempt from this process.

How to obtain a transcript:

Have your university send the official transcript directly to you either via email or to your physical address (if your school does not have digital transcript capabilities).

Once the transcript is received, download it and upload it to the Google form, or open the transcript's sealed envelope, scan and upload it to the Google form. (Please note the google form will only accept PDF or JPEG files). 

Transcript Review Google Form Link
(The form will be open for submissions on January 3, 2022)

Major Deadlines: Due by COB

Semester System interns, submit your google form by February 28, 2023
Quarter System interns, submit this google form by April 20, 2023

The length of participation in the undergraduate program is limited to a maximum of six years for students pursuing a bachelor's degree and three years for students pursuing an associate's degree.

9/80 work schedule

Summer students, post baccalaureate, post masters, and GRA students working on a thesis or dissertation are eligible to participate in the 9/80 work schedule. The student must have permission from the mentor to work this schedule, and it must be requested and approved through the payroll system.

Summer students

All students are eligible to work full-time (40 hours a week or the 9/80 schedule) during the summer months. In addition, students are not required to be enrolled in courses over the summer.

Year-round students

Students participating in some special undergraduate programs, post baccalaureate appointments, post-master's appointments, and GRA students working on a thesis or dissertation are excluded from the 30-hour per week work restriction.