Summer Intern – Research and Development, Aftertreatment Catalysis

General Motors

. Design, conduct, and analyze laboratory experiments for catalyst, washcoat, powder, or aftertreatment core evaluation .

Posted 10/30/2026internshipWarren • Michigan • United StatesEntry LevelWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in catalyst evaluation, analytical characterization, and data analysis using Python and MATLAB. Proficient in applying machine learning and statistical methods to optimize catalyst performance and materials discovery.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Catalyst EvaluationAnalytical CharacterizationPython ProgrammingMachine LearningData Analysis

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Laboratory ExperimentationReaction EngineeringMathematical ModelingSimulationStatistical LearningOptimizationData ScienceChemistryMaterials ScienceHeterogeneous Catalysis

Soft Skills

Analytical SkillsProblem-SolvingCommunicationTechnical DocumentationCollaboration

Tools & Technologies

MATLABPythonFourier-Transform Infrared SpectroscopyMicroscopySpectroscopyLaboratory Reactor SystemsData-Driven Tools

Industry Keywords

Emissions ControlMaterials EngineeringChemical EngineeringSTEM FieldExport Control Restrictions

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Python

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Design, conduct, and analyze laboratory experiments for catalyst, washcoat, powder, or aftertreatment core evaluation
Prepare samples and support testing using laboratory reactor systems and analytical tools
Investigate catalyst activity, selectivity, conversion efficiency, thermal durability, aging, sintering, and degradation mechanisms
Apply characterization methods including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, diffuse-reflectance infrared Fourier-transform spectroscopy, surface-area analysis, chemisorption, microscopy, and spectroscopy
Develop reaction-kinetic, catalyst-performance, degradation, or system-level models
Process and interpret experimental data using Python, MATLAB, or similar tools
Apply statistical learning, machine learning, optimization, or uncertainty quantification to catalyst and materials datasets
Build data-driven tools to accelerate catalyst screening and reduce reliance on hardware testing
Explore AI/ML approaches for materials discovery, composition optimization, performance prediction, or experiment planning
Correlate material properties, operating conditions, and catalyst performance to identify design principles
Document methods, analyze results, prepare technical summaries, and present findings to research and engineering teams
Collaborate with researchers, engineers, universities, national laboratories, suppliers, and other GM organizations
Follow laboratory safety procedures, data-quality practices, and applicable documentation requirements

Requirements

What you’ll need

Currently pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, materials engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, data science, physics, or a related STEM field
Available to work full-time, 40 hours per week during the summer internship
Demonstrated interest in heterogeneous catalysis, reaction engineering, emissions control, materials science, laboratory experimentation, analytical characterization, mathematical modeling, simulation, scientific computing, numerical methods, data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, or optimization
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment
Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and technical documentation skills
Must not require GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future
Must be a U.S. Person: U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee, or refugee
Subject to export control restrictions

Benefits

Comp & perks

Full-time summer internship opportunity
Hybrid work arrangement
Opportunity to work with researchers, engineers, universities, national laboratories, suppliers, and other GM organizations
Access to research and engineering collaboration in next-generation automotive emissions-control technologies
General Motors employee well-being and career support resources
Opportunities for professional development and technical research experience