2027 Winter Student Program- Heavy Water Research Student

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories; Chalk River; Hybrid; CAD 17,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Statutory Holidays

Company Floating Holiday

4% earnings on each pay

Job summary

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is seeking a Heavy Water Research Student Researcher for a four‑month term at the Chalk River Laboratory in Ontario. You will support large‑scale heavy water production projects, work hands‑on in a lab environment, and maintain detailed records using Excel and Word.

The role requires enrollment in a relevant engineering or science program and a commitment to full-time studies during the work term.

Qualifications

• Enrollment in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, or Engineering Physics.
• Ability to apply scientific and engineering concepts to experiments.
• Commitment to safety and quality in the lab.
• Strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Operate isotope exchange catalyst test systems for production demonstrations.
• Track and report experimental progress to supervisor.
• Ensure work is completed on schedule.
• Maintain accurate lab records.
• Update basic records using Excel and Word.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Fundamental science concepts

Workplace safety

Quality assurance

Excellent communication

Education

Chemical Engineering

Chemistry

Mechanical Engineering

Engineering Physics

Tools

Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

Are you looking for a role that will challenge you while contributing to a nationally significant initiative? As a Heavy Water Research Student Researcher with the Heavy Water Program, you’ll support the establishment of large‑scale heavy water production in Canada, working hands‑on in a laboratory environment with real industrial applications. Do you enjoy applied science, learning in high‑accountability settings, and being part of work that underpins Canada’s nuclear capabilities? If so, this may be the opportunity for you—

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 Months (January- April)
Field of Study: Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, or Engineering Physics
Year of study: 3rd year

What will you be doing!

• Learning to operate hydrogen isotope exchange catalyst test systems used to evaluate catalysts for demonstration‑scale and pilot‑scale heavy water production systems.
• Tracking and reporting the status of experimental work to the supervisor.
• Ensuring experimental work is completed on schedule.
• Maintaining accurate and detailed records in laboratory notebooks.
• Updating and developing basic records using Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.
• Other duties as assigned by your manager.
  

What we are looking for:

• Education
  • Students should be enrolled in a Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, or Engineering Physics program.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Ability to apply knowledge of fundamental scientific and engineering concepts applicable to the experimental work.
  • Ensures safety in the workplace, up to shutting down if there is a safety concern.
  • Implements quality assurance principles in all aspects of work.
  • Excellent communication skills.
• 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.”

Working Conditions:

• Working schedule: Five (5) days per week, seven and a half (7.5) hours per day for a thirty‑seven and a half (37.5) hour work week.

Why CNL?

Does the idea of working with a dynamic team across Canada to advance nuclear science and technology for a clean and secure world excite you? At CNL, we’re reinventing ourselves to be industry leaders—pioneering solutions to the problems that matter most.

From building the next generation of clean nuclear and hydrogen energy technologies, to developing targeted cancer treatments, to continuing our global leadership in environmental remediation—we are driven by impact, innovation, and purpose.

What we offer Students:

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

Do Our Priorities Resonate with You?

• Delivering clean energy for today and tomorrow
• Restoring and protecting the environment

Located in the heart of the Ottawa Valley, our Chalk River site offers a beautiful natural setting with forests, lakes, and wildlife, right at your doorstep. Surrounded by welcoming communities such as Deep River, Petawawa, and Pembroke, you’ll have access to unparalleled outdoor adventures and a fantastic work‑life balance.

Please note: This is a fully on‑site position based at our Chalk River Laboratory in Ontario.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

At CNL, we are committed to fostering an environment that promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion. We celebrate and welcome employees, stakeholders, and partners of all backgrounds and identities.

We are proud to uphold a workplace culture grounded in our Core Values:

• Respect
• Teamwork
• Accountability
• Safety
• Integrity

These values drive our employment practices and ensure meaningful career development opportunities and accommodations for all employees.

CNL is an equal opportunity employer. If you require accommodation during any phase of the hiring process, please let us know via [e-mail] . All requests will be handled with confidentiality.

CNL operates on sites located on the traditional lands, waterways and ceded and unceded territories of Indigenous peoples. CNL recognizes and affirms all First Nations, Métis communities and Inuit in this land we now know as Canada. We acknowledge, respect and seek to better understand Indigenous history, rights and title on the lands where we work and develop projects. We honour and respect the importance of the relationship between Indigenous peoples and their lands, waters and territories.