Nuclear Nonproliferation Intern - Fall 2026
About The Position
The Nuclear Nonproliferation Intern will support the Safeguards Measurements and Advanced Reactor Technologies (SMART) group in developing safeguards instrumentation and measurement technologies for nuclear material accounting and verification. Work may involve instrumentation circuitry and hardware design, spectroscopy systems, general chemistry support, sample preparation and analysis, and testing and evaluation of detection or measurement systems supporting domestic and international safeguards objectives, including applications relevant to existing and advanced reactor designs. The intern will collaborate with researchers and engineers on experimental work, data analysis, and technical reporting. Idaho National Laboratory’s Nuclear Nonproliferation division develops technology, methods, and policy analysis to safeguard nuclear materials and verify compliance with nonproliferation and arms control treaties. The division’s work spans nuclear material accounting, detection and measurement instrumentation, and nuclear forensics. The SMART group develops instrumentation and measurement techniques for accounting for and verifying nuclear materials at current and next-generation reactor and reprocessing facilities. The team works onsite at the Idaho Falls Campus on a 9x80 schedule. The internship’s start date and duration vary based on project and student availability. The position may require working more than eight hours per day and working alone. The work takes place in a general office environment with moderate noise and may involve discomfort from sustained computer-screen monitoring and intermittent stress associated with human behavior and varied responsibilities.
Requirements
- Hands-on experience with experimental research and laboratory-based characterization, measurement, or testing techniques.
- Currently enrolled full-time in a PhD program at an accredited college or university studying Nuclear Engineering or a closely related discipline.
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.0.
- Authorization to work in the U.S., including CPT and OPT.
- Provide a current resume or CV, unofficial transcripts including current and completed degree programs, and current class schedule and number of credits.
- Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive work environment.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with nuclear or radiological materials, instrumentation, or characterization techniques.
- Prior experience working in a national laboratory or similarly regulated research environment.
- Research productivity, such as publications, conference presentations, or patents.
Responsibilities
- Support the development of safeguards instrumentation and measurement technologies for nuclear material accounting and verification.
- Conduct work that may include instrumentation circuitry and hardware design, spectroscopy systems, general chemistry support, sample preparation and analysis, and testing and evaluation of detection or measurement systems.
- Collaborate with researchers and engineers on experimental work, data analysis, and technical reporting.
- Support domestic and international safeguards objectives, including applications relevant to existing and advanced reactor designs.
Benefits
- Paid holiday time off
- Travel reimbursement may be available for eligible interns
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Intern
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
