Visiting Student - CSE - Stuke, Kevin David - 4.14.26

Argonne National Laboratory • Lemont, IL

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The visiting student will conduct research on the synthesis and characterization of uranium- and plutonium-oxide nanoparticle solutions produced via wet-chemical routes. The work will focus on understanding how solution composition and selected dopants (Ce, Th) influence nanoparticle formation (nucleation+growth), phase/structure, size and size distributions. Further the work will extend to the time-dependent particle aging, including phase and redox evolutions. Characterization will combine laboratory capabilities, including XRD, DLS, Raman/IR, UV–Vis, operando absorption/fluorescence spectroscopy (as feasible) and basic radioanalytics. If synchrotron beamtime is awarded, advanced measurements may be pursued at the Advanced Photon Source, including EXAFS/XANES, high-energy X-ray total scattering with PDF analysis, (anomalous) SAXS, and microprobe methods (e.g., µ-XRF/µ-XANES); beamtime permitting. Education and Experience Requirements The entirety of the appointment must be conducted within the United States. Must be 18 years or older at the time the appointment begins. Applicants must be: o Currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate studies at an accredited institution. o Graduated from an accredited institution within the past 3 months; or o Actively enrolled in a graduate program at an accredited institution Applicants should be enrolled in a relevant degree program (chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, or related field) and have coursework and/or hands-on experience in inorganic/solution chemistry, nanoparticle/colloid synthesis, electrochemistry, and/or materials characterization. Familiarity with one or more of the following is preferred: scattering/diffraction (XRD/SAXS), optical/vibrational spectroscopy (UV–Vis, Raman, IR, fluorescence), particle sizing (DLS), and basic data processing/analysis. The student must be able to work carefully in a highly regulated laboratory environment, follow detailed protocols, maintain accurate lab records, and adhere to radiological and chemical safety requirements; prior experience working in radiological or controlled laboratory settings in gloveboxes and fume hoods is preferred.

Requirements

• The entirety of the appointment must be conducted within the United States.
• Must be 18 years or older at the time the appointment begins.
• Applicants must be: Currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate studies at an accredited institution; Graduated from an accredited institution within the past 3 months; or Actively enrolled in a graduate program at an accredited institution
• Applicants should be enrolled in a relevant degree program (chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, or related field) and have coursework and/or hands-on experience in inorganic/solution chemistry, nanoparticle/colloid synthesis, electrochemistry, and/or materials characterization.
• The student must be able to work carefully in a highly regulated laboratory environment, follow detailed protocols, maintain accurate lab records, and adhere to radiological and chemical safety requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with one or more of the following is preferred: scattering/diffraction (XRD/SAXS), optical/vibrational spectroscopy (UV–Vis, Raman, IR, fluorescence), particle sizing (DLS), and basic data processing/analysis.
• Prior experience working in radiological or controlled laboratory settings in gloveboxes and fume hoods is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on the synthesis and characterization of uranium- and plutonium-oxide nanoparticle solutions produced via wet-chemical routes.
• Focus on understanding how solution composition and selected dopants (Ce, Th) influence nanoparticle formation (nucleation+growth), phase/structure, size and size distributions.
• Extend the work to the time-dependent particle aging, including phase and redox evolutions.
• Combine laboratory capabilities, including XRD, DLS, Raman/IR, UV–Vis, operando absorption/fluorescence spectroscopy (as feasible) and basic radioanalytics for characterization.
• Pursue advanced measurements at the Advanced Photon Source, including EXAFS/XANES, high-energy X-ray total scattering with PDF analysis, (anomalous) SAXS, and microprobe methods (e.g., µ-XRF/µ-XANES); beamtime permitting.
• Work carefully in a highly regulated laboratory environment.
• Follow detailed protocols.
• Maintain accurate lab records.
• Adhere to radiological and chemical safety requirements.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees