Graduate Student Research Assistant- Computational Modeling of Polymer Solution Behavior Intern

Worker Type

Supplemental

Job Description

Internship: Computational Modeling of Polymer Solution Behavior

Location: Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Foundational Technologies Directorate

Project Overview

Join a multidisciplinary team at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) for a high-impact internship focused on polymer physics. As a PhD-level intern, you will contribute to the computational polymer physics research team by modeling the rheological behavior of liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) in flow and under external electric fields. You will work with experimentalists to predict the molecular-level rheological response of LCPs and compare molecular dynamics simulations to experimental data.

Key Responsibilities

- Leverage molecular dynamics simulations to model the rheological behavior of LCPs.
- Refine simulated models to align with and explain experimental data.
- Actively engage with AFRL scientists, academic collaborators, and industry partners to refine research objectives.
- Document findings and potentially contribute to a manuscript for peer-reviewed publication.

Required Qualifications

- This position involves working within a government facility and requires US citizenship
- Currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program in Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a closely related field.
- Experience with coarse-grained polymer modeling
- Proficiency in Python and large-scale simulation software (e.g., LAAMPS).
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Skills

- Experience with modeling rheology of complex fluids and soft matter
- Familiarity with high-performance computing (HPC) environments.
- A record of research contributions in peer-reviewed journals

Clearance Level

No Clearance

The salary range for this role is:
$31 - $31

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement:

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company matching, and flexible work schedule options. Depending on your business unit, role, and customer contract requirements, select programs may offer a 9/80 work schedule and paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

About AV:

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.

We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.

Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.

If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

ITAR

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder), asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) or a person approved for an export license from the appropriate governing agency.