Nuclear Fuel Management, Recycling And Disposal Internships

Idaho National Laboratory University/College Internships-NUCLEAR Fuel Management, Recycling and Disposal INTERNSHIPS.
Typical Degree Programs Sought Include: (Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Radiochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, Geology, Environmental Engineering, Nuclear Engineering)
Please note that if you are interested in other INL internship categories in addition to this one, you will need to complete the application for each of those categories as well. Most of the information you provide while completing the initial application carries over to your new applications. You will have to review your previously submitted information in each step, ensure it is complete and then click the submit button on the final step.
The Opportunity:
Internships at Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory (INL) hosts over 300 undergraduate and graduate students each year to support INL's mission. Opportunities for interns at INL range from nuclear engineering to cybersecurity and include non-scientific positions in various operations and business disciplines.
Join INL's team and find your exceptional educational experience in a real-world work environment. INL offers a unique opportunity to learn, collaborate, innovate and conduct research with top researchers and professionals.
The Deliverables:
Interns will spend the first week of their assignment working with their mentor to outline their work scope and to secure resources for a successful internship. For the next several weeks, the mentor will provide considerable program assistance and guidance to the intern. In addition to regular activities, interns are invited to attend weekly seminars, tours and community events designed with career development in mind. Completion of a final project is highly recommended and can be completed through a variety of mediums - a traditional poster, electronic presentation or video.
The Process:
Through this single application, you are considered for all internship projects related to Nuclear Fuel Management. Simply complete the application questions which will help us identify what knowledge and experience you already have that may be related to the preferred qualifications for each individual internship project. It is common for applicants to receive consideration for multiple projects at varying times throughout the process. Mentors will make direct contact with applicants who meet their project qualifications to share the specific details of the project. On average, INL plans for approximately 300 internships each year. Most internships provide flexibility with start and end dates to account for varying university term schedules. We encourage early applications to increase the number of opportunities available to you.
The Projects:
Internship projects will focus on system to develop robust waste forms for long-term disposal. They also are studying science and technology innovations for recovering fissionable materials from used fuel while improving proliferation resistance and long-term storage options. This work is a focus for the DOE-NE Fuel Cycle Research and Development Program. Some projects interns have participated in recently include:
--This internship opportunity will give the candidate valuable hands-on experience developing advanced separation methods related to the Nuclear Fuel cycle and critical materials supply chain. The candidate's work will support flowsheet design for solvent extraction technologies and fission product capture from off gas streams produced by the reprocessing of used Nuclear Fuel. The work shall primarily focus on conducting laboratory experiments under varying process conditions and applying analytical results to the practical design and implementation of separation processes.
--Work on a research project to understand the fundamental electrochemical behavior of the Rare Earth Oxides in chloride based molten salts. The fundamental electrochemical measurements shall help advance the ongoing studies pertaining to the preparation and/or refining of various Rare Earth metals/alloys from a suitable molten salt medium.
--Work in a radiochemistry laboratory including handling or radioactive samples (tracer concentrations) for measurement of distribution ratios and effects of radiation on solvent extraction. The work involves gamma irradiation of samples followed by LCMS identification of products and remaining parent compound. Responsibilities may include radiolysis of organic acids such as oxalic and glyoxylic acid in aqueous solution or radiation chemistry on a pilot scale, circulating the mixed phases through an irradiated test loop. Additional research interests include actinide solvent extraction, using similar organic metal complexing agents. This includes especially oxidation and batch contact extraction of higher oxidation states of Am. We will be doing small scale pilot tests in centrifugal contactor equipment, using conditions chosen based on the lab scale work. This involves the handling of alpha emitting radionuclide solutions.
--Participate in a research project whose objective is to quantify the effects of radiation damage to organic chemicals. The organics of interest in this project are used in Nuclear Fuel cycle separations, specifically for separating the minor actinides Am and Cm from U, Pu and the lanthanide elements. The research does not involve radioactive work, but does entail analytical measurements performed on solutions of organic complexant molecules that have been exposed to radiation fields, and have undergone radiolytic degradation reactions. The research will require the participant to learn high performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and modern data reduction and interpretation.
Required Qualifications:
All Internship Candidates Must:

• Have the ability to pass a background check
• Possess a minimum overall 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA)
• Complete this application, which is used to place students based on their academic interests, coursework, knowledge and communication skills
• Enrolled full time student status at an accredited college or university (undergraduate, graduate, PhD).

Note: Many INL community college interns are hired through the U.S. Department of Energy's Community College Internship Program. We recommend you also apply to DOE's Internship Program at http://science.energy.gov/wdts/cci/
Helpful Tips to Prepare You for Your INL Internship Application:

1. Current resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
2. Unofficial Transcripts (include current and completed degree programs)
3. Current class schedule and number of credits

Recommendations:

• Work with your career center to develop a resume or CV that is functional (this is your opportunity for a first impression)
• Review the INL website and learn more about our business and research programs and how they could enrich your degree plan https://www.inl.gov/
• Ask your professors if they have collaborated on INL research programs and seek their permission to list them as a reference
• Review the INL Academic Partnerships web site for valuable information on our internship programs https://www.inl.gov/inl-initiatives/education/

Internship Programs Specialists:
Ali Josephson (ali.josephson@inl.gov) Brian Rucks (brian.rucks@inl.gov)
Delisa Rogers (delisa.rogers@inl.gov) Myken Johnson (myken.johnson@inl.gov) Thomas Steele (thomas.steele@inl.gov)
Equal Employment Opportunity
Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.