2025 Fall Student Program- Process Student

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is bringing together the finest minds to form a diverse, vibrant and dynamic workforce culture energized by the innovative capacity of students, new graduates and mid-career professionals, underpinned by senior world-renowned experts. We hire numerous students from colleges and universities each semester to support our research and perform other assignments. If you are looking for exciting and challenging work this Fall, keep reading, and if you meet the requirements of this role, apply today!

The position is a process student working in the Deuterium and Tritium Technologies Branch. The group conducts research in handling and processing two heavy isotopes of hydrogen: deuterium and tritium. Deuterium gas is used as a tracer in many systems, while deuterium oxide (heavy water) is the moderator and coolant used in CANDU nuclear reactors. Tritium is the radioactive form of hydrogen, and one of its many uses is the fuel for a fusion reactor. The position involves experimental work associated with heavy water processing, including heavy water production, heavy water upgrading (removal of light water from heavy water), and processes that can remove tritium from either light water or heavy water. Heavy water and tritium processing is part of the fuel cycle for a fusion power plant. Other branch activities include research on tritium interaction with materials, using tritium as a low output power source, and novel methods of tritium monitoring and detection in solids, liquids and gases.

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and copy of an up-to-date transcript by the posting close date of May 8th at 11:59 pm EST to ensure consideration for student employment. All students applying for student positions at CNL must be returning to full-time studies upon completion of their work term. Exceptions will be made for students who require a work term to graduate.

Department: Deuterium and Tritium Technologies Branch

Number of Positions: 1

Duration: 4-8 months (September-December or April)

Field of Study: University program in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Physics

Year of study: 3rd year or higher

What you will be doing:

• Operating experimental systems that test the performance of hydrogen isotope exchange catalyst.
• Operating experimental systems that conduct Quality Assurance testing on manufactured catalyst.
• Operating experimental systems that test the performance of hydrogen oxygen recombination catalyst.
• Maintaining and calibrating equipment within the test systems.
• Analyzing and interpreting of data from experimental systems using software tools.
• Other duties as required.

What we are looking for:

• Education & Experience
  • Completed at least their 3rd year of study at a university of recognized standing in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Physics.
  • Experience working in a chemical process laboratory is an asset.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.
  • Good skills with Microsoft Office suite products; experience with Visual basic for Applications in Excel is an asset.
• Security Clearance Eligibility Required
  • Reliability Status which has a minimum requirement of 3-5 years of verifiable history in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and/or the United Kingdom. CNL implements security screening in accordance with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's “Standard on Security Screening” and the “Policy on Government Security.”

Why CNL?

Does working with a team across Canada to advance nuclear science and technology for a clean and secure world speak to you? We're reinventing ourselves to be the pacesetters so we can lead the charge in solving the problems that matter, like building the next generation of clean nuclear and hydrogen energy solutions, developing new and better-targeted cancer treatments, and continuing to lead the world in environmental remediation.

We offer Students:

• Paid Statutory Holidays (within the working term);
• 1 Company Floating Holiday;
• Instead of accumulative vacation time, students receive an additional 4% of earnings on each pay!

Do Our Priorities Resonate with You?

• Clean energy for today and tomorrow.
• Restore and protect the Environment.
• Contribute to the health of Canadians.

For more details about our student program including FAQs, timelines, resume writing tips, and more visit: Student Careers - Canadian Nuclear Laboratories

Location: CNL’s Chalk River laboratory is nestled in the Ottawa Valley and affords our employees an environmentally pristine area with extensive forests, hills, and numerous small lakes. These support a variety of wildlife typical to the southern edge of the Canadian Shield. Many surrounding towns, such as Pembroke, Petawawa, and Deep River, provide unparalleled outdoor adventures at your doorstep!

CNL is committed to providing an atmosphere free from barriers that promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion in achieving our mission. CNL welcomes and celebrates employees, stakeholders, and partners of all racial, cultural, and ethnic identities. Please read here for more on our DE&I Commitment.

CNL also supports a workplace environment and corporate culture built on our Core Values: Respect, Teamwork, Accountability, Safety, Integrity, and Excellence. These values encourage equitable employment practices and career prospects, including accommodations for all employees.

CNL is committed to being an equal-opportunity employer. If you require accommodation measures during any phase of the hiring process, please indicate via our ATS when applying. All information received regarding accommodation requests will be kept confidential.

The Chalk River Laboratories site is located on the unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe people. As an organization, CNL recognizes and appreciates their historic connection to this place. CNL also recognizes the contributions that First Nations, Métis, Inuit and other Indigenous Peoples have made, both in shaping and strengthening this community in particular, and this province and country as a whole.