Transparent Aluminum Oxynitride Internship Application

Transparent Aluminum Oxynitride Internship Application Form

Are you passionate about advanced materials science and cutting-edge defense technology? Our Transparent Aluminum Oxynitride Internship Program offers hands-on experience in one of the most exciting fields in materials engineering—developing transparent armor and high-temperature optical systems that protect lives and advance scientific discovery.

About Transparent Aluminum Oxynitride (ALON)

Aluminum oxynitride, commonly known as ALON, represents a breakthrough in transparent ceramic materials. With hardness approaching sapphire but with superior optical clarity and thermal shock resistance, ALON is revolutionizing defense applications, aerospace optics, and high-performance sensor windows. Interns in our program work directly with research teams developing next-generation transparent armor systems, infrared windows, and extreme-environment optical components.

Why Apply Through Paperform?

This internship application is built on Paperform, the flexible online form platform trusted by research institutions, defense contractors, and advanced materials companies worldwide. Unlike rigid application systems, Paperform makes it easy for candidates to showcase their technical expertise, research interests, and project experience in a format that actually reflects the sophistication of the work.

The form's conditional logic ensures you only see questions relevant to your specialization—whether that's ceramic processing, optical characterization, or computational materials science. Our team receives your application in a clean, organized format that integrates directly with our applicant tracking system via Stepper workflow automation, ensuring your submission gets to the right researchers without delay.

What You'll Experience in This Program

Our internship program spans 10-12 weeks and places students directly into active research and development projects. Depending on your background and interests, you might work on:

• Transparent Armor Development: Characterizing ballistic performance, optimizing ceramic compositions, and testing multi-layered transparent protection systems
• High-Temperature Optics: Developing infrared windows and sensor domes for aerospace and defense applications that must perform in extreme thermal environments
• Advanced Ceramic Processing: Working with powder synthesis, hot pressing, spark plasma sintering, and post-processing techniques to achieve optical-quality surfaces
• Computational Materials Design: Using density functional theory (DFT) and finite element analysis to predict material properties and optimize compositions
• Optical Characterization: Conducting transmission spectroscopy, refractive index measurements, and thermal imaging assessments

Who Should Apply

We're seeking undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in materials science, ceramic engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry, physics, or related technical fields. Ideal candidates have coursework or research experience in materials characterization, ceramics, optics, or solid-state chemistry. Experience with SEM, XRD, spectroscopy, or mechanical testing equipment is valuable but not required—we're equally interested in your curiosity, problem-solving ability, and passion for advanced materials.

Because our work intersects with defense applications, U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is typically required, and selected candidates must be eligible for facility access clearances.

Streamlined Application Process with Paperform & Stepper

Once you submit your application through this Paperform template, our team uses Stepper—Paperform's AI-native workflow automation platform—to route your information to the appropriate research group based on your area of interest. Stepper automatically sends confirmation emails, schedules initial screenings with qualified candidates, and keeps our research directors updated on application status without manual data entry.

For candidates invited to interview, we use Papersign to handle offer letters and internship agreements with secure eSignatures, keeping everything connected to your original application for a seamless experience from first inquiry to first day.

Why This Matters

The materials you'll help develop don't just advance scientific knowledge—they protect military personnel, enable new aerospace capabilities, and push the boundaries of what's possible in extreme environments. Transparent aluminum oxynitride is lighter and more durable than traditional armored glass, making vehicles safer and more efficient. The optical windows you might work on could enable hypersonic flight systems or next-generation sensor platforms.

For students serious about a career in advanced materials, defense technology, or high-performance ceramics, this internship offers unmatched hands-on experience with equipment, techniques, and applications you won't find in standard academic labs.

About Our Research Facility

Our materials research center partners with leading defense contractors, national laboratories, and aerospace companies to advance transparent ceramic technology. We maintain state-of-the-art ceramic processing equipment, optical characterization laboratories, and ballistic testing facilities. Interns work alongside PhD researchers, materials engineers, and program managers in a collaborative environment that values both scientific rigor and practical innovation.

Apply Today

Complete this application to be considered for upcoming internship cohorts. We review applications on a rolling basis and typically interview candidates 4-6 weeks before program start dates. Strong candidates are contacted within two weeks of application submission.

Our team is committed to diversity and inclusion in STEM fields and encourages applications from underrepresented groups in materials science and engineering. We're building the next generation of materials researchers, and we'd love to hear from you.

Ready to work on materials that were science fiction a generation ago? Complete your application below and take the first step toward an internship experience that combines fundamental science, advanced engineering, and real-world impact.