Open Internships

Energy Systems Internship

About the Position:

The Fraunhofer USA Center for Manufacturing Innovation (CMI) is looking for an Intern to join its Energy Systems Group. This is an opportunity to participate in exciting and impactful research projects with industry, government, and utility clients. Fraunhofer CMI internships typically last for 6 months, but longer internships can also be accommodated.

The interdisciplinary Energy Systems team develops algorithms to analyze emerging data sources to generate novel insights into the real-world performance of energy systems, identify energy-saving opportunities (e.g., fault-detection and diagnostics), and create data-driven models to optimize control of building loads. In addition, the team conducts field testing projects to evaluate the real-world performance of new and emerging building technologies to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Principal Responsibilities:

While working with the Energy Systems team, you will contribute to multiple projects in one or more of the following areas, developing and applying some of the skills described.

Field Testing of Energy Systems: You may work with different sensors and data acquisition systems, developing and applying skills required to obtain and deliver high-quality field data, such as: specifying, building, configuring, testing, deploying, maintaining, troubleshooting, and decommissioning data acquisition systems and sensors; planning, building, executing and evaluating laboratory tests; performing data quality control analyses; analyzing field-test data; and reporting.

Energy Systems Modeling: You may work with larger datasets from appliances, buildings, and, potentially, energy storage and solar PV systems, to create high-fidelity models for device and system performance. Examples of approaches you may use include physics-based or gray box models, machine learning, and probabilistic modeling.

Technology Assessment: You may also contribute to assessments of building technologies, including minimization of the grid impacts of electrifying building loads.

Required Experience and Education:

An excellent academic record with an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Data Analytics, Physics, Architectural Engineering, etc.) and:

A strong background in energy-related engineering or physics
A solid understanding of the operating principles of energy-consuming equipment and systems in buildings
Experience in data analysis, including programming in Python or R
Experience in modeling energy systems

Additional Requirements:

Aptitude for programming and deploying data acquisition systems and monitoring equipment at field sites preferred
A strong attention to detail

Ability to accept a high degree of responsibility in a team-based organization, combined with ability to work independently
Willingness to go the extra mile to support the team’s research projects

Applicants for a Fraunhofer CMI Internship must be enrolled in a college or university or within one (1) year of graduation at the time of starting the internship.

Fraunhofer USA, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer of Individuals with disabilities, protected veterans and is a federal contractor.

Additional Requirements:

Applicants for a Fraunhofer USA CMI Internship must be enrolled in a college or university or within one year of graduation at the time of starting the internship.

Field-Ready Diagnostics OR Rapid Antibiotic Susceptibility Internship

Exciting New Internship Opportunity that offers a Master's Thesis

Start Date: CURRENTLY OPEN

Application Deadline: 2 months before intended start date

Standard length of internship: 6 months

Thesis availability: Yes

Fraunhofer USA – Center for Manufacturing Innovation – conducts advanced R&D (Research and Development) and engineering solutions for a broad range of industries, including biotechnology/biomedical, manufacturing, and renewable energy. Our services include product development, device development, high precision automation systems, rapid in vitro diagnostic assays, and rapid in vitro diagnostic instruments.

We currently have two projects available:

Rapid Antibiotic Susceptibility:

Our Rapid Antibiotic Susceptibility project focuses on developing a system and methodology for rapidly detecting antibiotic resistance in bacteria. It includes placing the bacteria in microfluidic channels and applying shear stress to the bacteria immobilized at the bottom of the channel. This opportunity also touches on the development of rapid sample preparation methods, from human blood.

While interning for this project, you’ll have the opportunity to work with Dr. Christine McBeth as your supervisor, and your tasks will include:

Studying the effect of stresses to potentiate the action of antibiotics
Integrating sample preparation from blood to the assay
Running experiments on the bacteria to validate the model
Designing and building microfluidic devices

Field-Ready Diagnostics:

The goal of our Field-Ready Diagnostics project is to develop a universal platform for lab-free detection of pathogens that can be manufactured on the industrial scale. It includes optimization of isothermal amplification tests (e.g., LAMP) and design and fabrication of multiplexed microfluidic chips. Sitting at the interface of biology and engineering, this opportunity is especially well suited for trainees that are ready to think broadly about getting research out of the lab and into the field.

While interning for this project, you’ll have the opportunity to work with Dr. Christine McBeth as your supervisor and your tasks will include:

Optimizing detection methods for isothermal amplification assays
Integrating sample preparation from saliva to the assay
Running experiments on the viral samples to validate the platform
Designing and building microfluidic devices

What we expect:

A good academic record in biology, biotechnology, or similar field
Ability to accept a high degree of responsibility in a team-based organization, combined with the ability to work independently
Experience with molecular biology, microbiology, or similar field is required
Intercultural competences and motivation to integrate into American culture
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

What you can expect from us:

Opportunity to acquire practical research experience through responsibilities
Integration as a fully valued member in our team
Housing in a shared apartment with fellow interns and a monthly stipend

Please note, thesis projects ARE available with this internship.

Information on Fraunhofer USA CMI's Internship Program

For international students

Fraunhofer USA CMI's internship program provides a global experience to approximately 16 international interns per year. Since its inception, the program has hosted over 300 students. Interns are provided with housing and a stipend and are encouraged to experience not only the American workplace, but the American culture as well. The program has been tremendously successful, receiving rave reviews from all involved. These students are subsequently highly recruited in their home countries as they bring a global perspective to the job.

Explore your possibilities

Internship opportunities, for a minimum duration of 6 months, are available on a continuous basis for students with engineering, biology, or project management backgrounds. As an intern, you will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and develop technical skills that will help you excel in your career.

For students from BU and the greater Boston area

Fraunhofer USA CMI offers various positions for students in research, engineering, and administration throughout the year. Positions can be part- to full-time in the summer, and part-time during the academic year.