Summer 2026 Internship Opportunities

Summer Internships

Energy-related research opportunities with faculty members, as well as with non-profit organizations, are listed below. Alternatively, a student may self-initiate an energy-related project with a faculty member of their choice.

Applications open on November 24, 2025. Students should apply for an Andlinger Center summer internship in the Student Activities Funding Engine (SAFE). Application instructions can be found below.
Princeton first-years, sophomores, and juniors in good academic and judicial standing may apply for up to two Andlinger Center summer internship opportunities.
Students on a leave of absence for the AY25-26 academic year are not eligible to apply for summer 2026 internships.
Internships require a full-time (35-40 hours per week) commitment. Students who plan to take summer courses or participate in other internships during the summer should not apply for Andlinger Center internships.
The final deadline for submitting applications is January 12, 2026.
Selected students receive a weekly stipend, plus a research-related or travel-related award, if applicable.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the application process, contact Moira Selinka, Program Manager, Education and Outreach, at mselinka@princeton.edu or call 609-258-8456.

Internships with Faculty

(Listed alphabetically by last name)

José Avalos | Biotechnological Solutions to Challenges in Sustainable Energy and the Environment

Genetic, metabolic, and protein engineering to develop biocatalysts to produce fuels and chemicals from cheap renewable sources, including algae biomass and CO₂.

Primary Supervisor: Prof. Jose Avalos

9 weeks

Prerequisites: Some wet lab experience preferred.

Emily Carter | Modeling Magnesium-Carbonate Ion Pairing in Water with Machine-Learning-Accelerated Molecular Dynamics Based on Density Functional Theory and Beyond

Carbon dioxide mineralization in seawater produces calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), a stable and abundant sink for atmospheric CO₂. However, magnesium carbonate (MgCO₃) also plays an important role in oceanic carbon cycling, particularly in regions with high Mg²⁺/Ca²⁺ ratios. Gaining molecular-level insight into the Mg²⁺-CO₃²⁻ ion pairing process is foundational for understanding both CO₂ mineralization in seawater and the kinetics of dolomite formation, a long-standing puzzle in geochemistry.

This project will employ machine-learning potential molecular dynamics (MLP-MD) to investigate Mg²⁺-CO₃²⁻ ion pairing in aqueous solution. Machine-learning potentials provide near-quantum mechanical accuracy at a fraction of the computational cost, enabling simulations of long-timescale molecular processes inaccessible to conventional ab initio quantum mechanics methods. The MLPs will be trained on density functional theory (DFT) data and, if time permits, further refined with embedded correlated wavefunction (ECW) theory for higher-level accuracy. The student will analyze free-energy surfaces and the structural characteristics to determine how hydration governs magnesium–carbonate interactions.

Building on our established workflow for Ca²⁺-CO₃²⁻ ion pairing using MLP-MD and ECW theory and combining with the Ca²⁺-CO₃²⁻ results, this study will provide a complementary perspective on how cation identity and solvation dynamics control carbonate ion pairing and crystallization. Together, these insights will advance the understanding of CO₂ mineralization in seawater and the fundamental origins of Mg-rich carbonate formation.

Primary supervisor: Xuezhi Bian, Postdoc

8 weeks

Prerequisites: Previous academic experience with quantum mechanics/chemistry/physics and basic programming, scripting and data-handling skills (preferably in Python) are preferred.

Jonathan Conway | Characterization and Engineering of Biomass Degradation and Utilization by Lignocellulolytic Thermophiles

Converting agricultural feedstocks and biomass into fuels and chemicals is a major challenge in the renewable energy transition. This process is bottlenecked by the difficulty of degrading lignocellulose. While significant progress has been made in degrading its cellulosic content, its hemicellulosic component contains a diverse range of polysaccharides such as xylan and glucurono-arabinoxylan that demand highly specialized Carbohydrate-Active Enzymes (CAZymes) for hydrolysis. These CAZymes are natively produced in several biomass degrading thermophiles such as Clostridium thermocellum and Caldicellulosiruptor bescii and have garnered significant attention in recent years.

The Conway Lab focuses on the biology and manipulation of thermophilic bacteria as emerging metabolic engineering hosts. Through this project we will explore how such thermophilic bacteria effectively deconstruct and utilize complex biomass through biochemically characterizing the specific CAZymes and non-catalytic auxiliary proteins that synergistically drive hemicellulose breakdown. To improve the production of valuable chemical commodities from these thermophilic host microorganisms, we will also develop engineering tools for metabolic and transcriptional control. Results from this work will further the utility of biomass degrading thermophiles in converting lignocellulosic biomass into renewable fuels and chemicals.

Primary Supervisor: Hansen Tjo, Ph.D. candidate

9 weeks

Prerequisites: Major in Science or Engineering discipline preferred. Basic laboratory skills are preferred but not required. Laboratory Safety and Biosafety training through Princeton are required to be completed before the internship start.

Kelsey Hatzel | Solid Horizons: Advanced Solid-State Batteries for Next-Generation Electric Mobility

This hands-on research project explores advanced solid-state battery materials designed for electric aviation, drones, and sustainable transportation. Working in a state-of-the-art laboratory, participants will receive full on-site training in materials synthesis, structural and electrochemical characterization, and performance analysis. The project aims to push the boundaries of next-generation energy storage systems, developing safer, lighter, and higher-capacity batteries for the future of electric mobility.

Primary Supervisor: Prof. Kelsey Hatzell

9 weeks

Prerequisites: No prior experience required—just curiosity and drive. The ideal candidate will be passionate about energy innovation and eager to work at the intersection of materials science and electrochemistry.

Yiguang Ju | Plasma assisted CO₂ reduction

This project is to develop a novel method to reduce CO₂ to chemicals and carbon fibers using non-equilibrium plasma. The work will involve reactor design and characterization of carbon materials and chemicals.

Primary Supervisor: Prof. Yiguang Ju

9 weeks

Prerequisites: An understanding of thermodynamics; lab safety training is required.

Ryan Kingsbury | Influence of Structural Distortion on Ion Selectivity in Prussian Blue Analogues

Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) are a family of battery electrode materials with cubic structures that can preferentially insert (intercalate) cations such as Na+ or NH4+ from aqueous solutions. They generally favor ions with low hydration energies which makes them attractive for resource recovery and selective ion separation technologies. When used in aqueous environments, factors such as pH and changes in transition metal oxidation states can affect the stability of the PBA structure. This project aims to understand how these conditions influence the structure of PBAs by combining electrochemical testing with structural characterization techniques. Students will gain hands on experience synthesizing PBAs, testing their electrochemical performance, and analyzing how the structure changes under different pH conditions. The results will help guide the design of more stable and selective PBA materials for resource recovery and environmental circularity applications.
Primary supervisor: Sui Xiong Tay, Ph.D. candidate

9 weeks

Prerequisites: Environmental Engineering and Materials Science.

Egemen Kolemen | AI Foundation Models for Understanding and Controlling Fusion Plasmas

This summer internship offers undergraduate students in computer science, physics, or related fields a unique opportunity to work at the frontier of artificial intelligence and fusion energy research. Based on our recent success in the application of AI models for monitoring can control of fusion plasma (papers published in Nature, Nature Communications, NeurIPS, and ICML), the project focuses on developing foundation models, large, multimodal AI systems trained on massive experimental datasets from the DIII-D National Fusion Facility. These models learn universal representations of plasma behavior from diverse sources such as diagnostic signals, control data, and imaging, enabling the prediction of plasma instabilities, reconstruction of failed diagnostics, and discovery of new physical patterns. This is a very ambitious application of AI in the physical sciences: building intelligent systems that help us better understand and ultimately control fusion plasmas.

Students will work hands-on with time-series and spectrogram data, apply machine learning techniques such as transformers or autoencoders, and help develop tools for analyzing complex plasma dynamics in real time. The internship emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and discovery, combining data science, machine learning, and plasma physics in a collaborative research environment. Participants will gain experience in advanced AI frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow) and scientific data processing pipelines while contributing to open research that supports the Department of Energy’s mission of accelerating fusion energy development. By the end of the internship, students will not only have built practical skills in AI and data-driven modeling but will also have contributed to the broader goal of enabling clean, sustainable energy through intelligent plasma monitoring.
Primary supervisor: Aza Lalalvand, Research Scholar.

9 weeks

Prerequisites: Data collection and preprocessing for training ML models; Training and optimizing neural networks. Experience on transformer-based models and LLMs is a plus. Prior knowledge in fusion is not necessary, but is a plus. This experience is ideal for those who wish to explore how cutting-edge AI can revolutionize scientific discovery and help shape the future of energy.

Forrest Meggers | Novel Control and Operation of Heat Pumps

We will be building custom heat pump systems (from scratch) and evaluating control mechanisms that can scale up and be used to translate thermal storage in water tanks like the ones we have in our own campus geoexchange system to act as batteries and allow maximal utilization of renewable resources. The research will involve lots of hands-on experimentation, data collection, and some quantitative analysis.

Primary Supervisor: Prof. Forrest Meggers, Director of CHAOS..

9 weeks

Prerequisites: Ideal candidates will have some understanding of heat pumps, be excited to build things, and be good independent problem solvers.

Barry Rand | Controlling the Orientation of Organic Emitters in Thin-Film Host Matrices

The orientation of organic emitters in thin films plays a crucial role in determining the optical performance of devices such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and upconversion films. However, achieving controlled molecular orientation within a host matrix remains challenging. Factors such as deposition conditions, substrate treatment, film morphology, and thermal properties of the host matrix can significantly influence emitter alignment. The physical mechanisms behind these effects are still poorly understood, as most reports in the literature remain largely empirical or anecdotal. This project aims to systematically investigate how processing parameters and host properties, such as host crystallinity and molecular size differences between host and guest emitters, affect emitter orientation in organic thin films.

The intern will gain hands-on experience with thermal vapor deposition to fabricate thin films under varied conditions and employ spectroscopic and optical characterization techniques including angle-dependent photoluminescence and variable-angle spectroscopic ellipsometry to probe molecular orientation. There may also be opportunities to perform computational or optical modeling to interpret the experimental results. A deeper understanding of structure-property relationships could inform new design rules for enhancing light outcoupling in conventional OLEDs and optimizing emitter–surface plasmon coupling in upconversion systems.

Primary Supervisor: Hui Taou Kok, Ph.D. candidate

8 weeks

Prerequisites: Intern will need to have completed the laboratory safety training prior to starting this project.

Michele Sarazen | Aqueous Pollutant Degradation Using Microporous Sponges

In the face of growing water consumption and pollution of water resources around the world, finding more effective ways to treat wastewater remains paramount. The material properties of microporous materials like zeolites or metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can result in high selectivity and capacity for environmental contaminants found in ground or wastewater, including organic (e.g. pharmaceuticals, feed additives, agricultural products, organic dyes, PFAS) and inorganic (e.g. such as metal cations, inorganic acids, oxyanions/cations) species. Synthesis work will be followed by pollutant degradation testing and characterization to develop structure-functional relationships in catalytic pollutant degradation systems. This project will aim to understand mechanism for species uptake and to improve their recyclability for potential use in environmental remediation.
Primary Supervisor: Michele Sarazen

9 weeks

Prerequisites: Chemistry courses and laboratories are helpful.

Ronnie Sircar | AI-Aided Electricity Grid Digital Twins

It would be of enormous benefit to electricity grid planning and capacity expansion if we could run simulations through digital twins of existing and future grids, for instance to understand the impact of increased demand from data centers driven by AI usage, and mitigation by increased battery storage. The APRA-E funded ORFEUS project did this using a painstakingly created model of the Texas ERCOT grid created by researchers at Texas A&M over several years. This was used with the grid optimization software Vatic to produce reliability indices for renewable assets as described in https://sircar.princeton.edu/document/541 The brutal groundwork of developing the grid model from publicly available data can now be made more amenable using AI tools, but that is yet to be demonstrated. This project is to construct facsimile grids for NY, CA and other states and generate results as were obtained for TX, while training on the painstaking groundwork of the Texas grid.

Primary Supervisor: Prof. Ronnie Sircar

8 weeks

Prerequisites: Good coding skills, familiarity with using AI, statistics, stochastics and optimization knowledge.

Internships with Non-profit and Government Organizations

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy

Energy Efficiency among Contractors and Behavior Research

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are the biggest energy consumers in most homes. The ACEEE Behavior, Health, and Human Dimensions Program will be conducting research on HVAC contractors and how they can be encouraged to promote energy efficiency when they visit homes for repairs and replacements. Additionally, ACEEE will be continuing its BEAR Hub initiative (www.BEARhub.net) which involves providing no-cost behavioral science assistance to cities and other organizations running programs to reduce energy consumption. In 2026, the program will conduct research and provide assistance to professionals on changing behavior and encouraging energy efficiency and climate action across all sectors of the economy.

The intern will be asked to assist with administration and planning for BEAR Hub applicants, background literature reviews, behavioral science advising, managing and distributing a survey, and other research activities. The intern will work within the Behavior, Health, and Human Dimensions program in Washington, DC. The position can be remote or in-person. As a part of the program, the intern will learn and strengthen their research and project coordination skills. ACEEE will publish multiple studies in 2026 and the intern’s work will be featured in some of these publications. If the intern has an interest in the health aspects of energy efficiency, internship duties also focus more on projects on that topic within the program.

10 weeks (remote or in-person)

Include with application: Resume & cover letter

Background Desired: Experience, skills or knowledge in psychology or behavioral science are preferred but not required. A keen interest in learning, a strong work ethic, and an interest in the topic area is important.

Environmental Defense Fund
EDF internships provide high-quality experiences (including relevant projects and opportunities for networking) that form the foundation for any individual who is serious about pursuing an environmental career.

Program/Department Overview EDF’s Global Engagement and Partnerships (GEP) team facilitates EDF’s global presence, advocacy, and policy work, while also building strong relationships with stakeholders worldwide, working to ensure that EDF’s activities and communications are culturally relevant and effective. The GEP team coordinates EDF’s engagement in key international for a like the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other UN spaces, and serves as an institution-level coordinator for EDF’s partnerships, including with key multilateral stakeholders. GEP team members undertake and publish original research; participate in and regularly give presentations to international stakeholders, representing EDF and broader NGO coalitions; and develop and present materials and strategic communications in a wide range of settings including international for a with governments, civil society organizations, corporations, and other stakeholders around the world.

Overall Function The intern will support EDF’s Global Engagement and Partnerships team on research, writing, and advocacy projects focused on international climate negotiations and global environmental governance. The intern will also support the development and administration of strategic partnerships with key stakeholders in the multilateral space. The intern will work alongside other team members to prepare a range of written products, including policy memos, mappings of stakeholder initiatives, coordination support materials for EDF engagement, and tracking materials related to developments in multilateral environmental agreements including the UNFCCC COP31. The intern will report to Milloni Doshi, the Manager for Global Engagement and Partnerships.

Key Responsibilities Tasks will include but are not limited to:
- Support in the preparation of short policy briefs as well as larger written research products to inform team preparations for and analysis of negotiations in Rio Conventions and other UN and international forums, including the UNFCCC and the Convention on Biological Diversity.
- Monitor and contribute to research on key and emerging issues in global environmental governance, including on Nationally Determined Contributions, the geopolitics of climate change, climate and biodiversity linkages, climate adaptation, and climate migration.
- Support knowledge and stakeholder management for institutional partnership processes. • Support in overall coordination for EDF engagement in key multilateral spaces, including the UNFCCC and others.
- Assist in creating presentations, blogs, memos, fact sheets, and communications materials for both internal and external audiences.
- Participate in advancing EDF’s organizational effectiveness and culture goals, so people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included and empowered to address environmental and organizational challenges in ways that align with EDF values.
10 weeks (June 1-August 6)

Include with application: Resume & cover letter

Prerequisites: Enrolled in a degree program and demonstrated interest in international environmental policy, environmental management, international relations, civil society and non-profit organizations, or related discipline. • Coursework in international relations, global environmental governance, and climate treaty negotiations recommended. • Familiarity with UNFCCC or other UN conventions is a plus. • Excellent research, writing, and oral communication skills. • Must be well organized, motivated, and detail-oriented. • Ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines. • Ability to work in a team setting and have the ability to work independently when projects are due. • Demonstrate self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across all cultures and backgrounds. • Demonstrate initiative and problem solving skills.

The Andlinger intern will join a larger cohort of interns at EDF across the U.S. and join professional development workshops, speaker series events, social programming, and opportunity to meet EDF president and senior leaders.

Moonshot Missions | Water Utility Research Intern
If you are passionate about water issues, public health and environmental equity, please consider joining our Moonshot Missions team! Moonshot Missions is led by George Hawkins, a visionary leader in the water sector and well-known for transforming DC Water into an innovative, customer-driven enterprise. We are a rapidly growing non-profit with currently over 40 folks working for our organization, and are working directly to improve drinking water quality and wastewater services, as well as affordability and resiliency for under resourced communities nationwide. Whether you are just launching your career or looking to broaden your experience in the water industry, becoming part of the Moonshot Missions team will enable you to work alongside veteran water leaders, and make a direct impact on our sector, while helping to ensure safe and clean water is delivered to the people who need it most! To learn more about us visit: https://www.moonshotmissions.org.

Moonshot Missions seeks an intern to serve as a technical and research resource to the organization, reporting to a Senior Utility Advisor and/or a Senior Program Manager, to support the research team. The intern will apply research and knowledge to address the challenges facing drinking water and wastewater utilities, particularly in economically distressed communities. Moonshot Missions is currently working on topics related to environmental equity, such as drinking water and wastewater operational optimization and affordability, providing access to clean water in communities across the U.S. Our work aims to level the playing field in the water sector, so every American has access to clean and affordable drinking water and sanitation services.

Job Duties:
- Conduct research on water and wastewater utilities using publicly available information.
- Review and interpret documents highlighting the operational, managerial, and financial characteristics of prospective and current utility clients.
- Identify economic, social, and environmental characteristics of the communities served by utilities.
- Research and participate in learning about field-tested and innovative water and wastewater utility solutions that can improve service delivery and reduce costs for Moonshot Missions utility clients.
- Develop Moonshot Missions modules, and standard guidance documents that provide solutions and steps to implementation for specific water and wastewater utility issues that can be applied by and among utility clients. -Support the Moonshot Missions team in engaging with prospective and current utility clients, including the evaluation and identification of potential utility challenges and recommendations of effective and field-tested solutions.
- Research potential funding sources and opportunities to support the implementation of client utility projects.
- Support Moonshot Mission’s partnerships with various organizations that align with the Moonshot Missions’ vision and mission.
- Engage with utility sector experts to provide field-tested solutions to Moonshot Missions utility clients.
- Collaborate with the Moonshot Missions team to deliver optimal services to utility clients.
- Conduct additional research of publicly available information as required and prepare written reports
Primary Supervisor: Christina Smith, Senior Human Resources and Business Operations Manager

10 weeks (June 1-August 7) Fully remote

Include with application: Resume & cover letter

Background Required: Enrolled in a bachelor’s program in Engineering or a related field.

Qualifications Desired: Strong interest in the water and wastewater utility sector, specifically related to the engineering, operations, and maintenance of these systems. Ability to identify and review technical studies, interpreting and extracting relevant information. Effective written and verbal communication skills, ability to present technical information in clear, easy-to-understand language. Ability to interact positively in an evolving, fast-paced team environment.

Application Instructions

Applications must be submitted via SAFE.
Activity Type: Undergraduate Internships
Time Period: Summer Break
Opportunity: Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment Undergraduate Summer Internships

For internships with faculty members chosen from the list of available projects, include with the application: a copy of your transcript and a copy of your resume/CV. Though it is not required, we recommend contacting the faculty member whose internship you plan to apply for to let them know you are interested and find out additional details about the project. **Please carefully review the application requirements–some of these opportunities also require a cover letter and/or a writing sample.**
For self-initiated, internships with faculty members, include with the application: a project description (no more than 2 pages), a note from the faculty member confirming that they have agreed to supervise your project and what lab on campus you will be working in, a budget for project materials if needed, a copy of your transcript and a copy of your resume/CV.
For internships with non-profit organizations, include with the application: a copy of your transcript and a copy of your resume/CV. If the internship is located outside of Princeton, include your anticipated travel expenses in the budget section. Applications for internships with these non-profits are reviewed by the host organization in addition to Princeton faculty and program coordinators in order to determine the most suitable candidates for each position. The host organization may contact the student to arrange a telephone or Zoom interview. **Please carefully review the application requirements–some of these opportunities also require a cover letter and/or writing sample.**

Important things to note about the SAFE application form:

In the Budget section, put $1.00 if you do not have travel expenses or project materials to include. The stipend is a set amount meant to help cover your summer living expenses, so there is no need to estimate your summer lodging or food costs, but the form cannot be submitted without a dollar amount.
In the “Project Details” section, under “Internship Title” put the specific title of the internship for which you are applying.
Be sure to complete the “Undergraduate Internships Questions” section. If a “Supervisor of Internship” is not listed in the internship description on our site, you do not need to fill this out.

Check that your application is submitted and locked before the January 12, 2026 final deadline. Incomplete and/or draft applications will not be considered.

Princeton University

Summer Internships

Questions?

Internships with Faculty

Internships with Non-profit and Government Organizations

Application Instructions