2027 Winter Student Program- Nuclear Forensics Student - Chemistry/ Material Science

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories; Chalk River; Hybrid; CAD 20,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid statutory holidays

Floating holiday

4% additional earnings on each pay

Job summary

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is offering an eight-month on-site internship in Nuclear Response and Analysis at the Chalk River Laboratory, Ontario. You will join a dynamic team to evaluate nuclear fuel data, help compile forensic signatures, and operate advanced instruments under QA protocols.

We seek students in Nuclear Fuel Engineering, Chemistry, or Materials Science, with coursework or hands-on lab experience and strong attention to detail.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a university in Nuclear Fuel Engineering, Chemistry, or Material Science.
• Laboratory experience and familiarity with analytical instrumentation is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and analyze nuclear fuel data for forensics and provenance.
• Operate and maintain SEM-EDS, Raman spectrometers, and ICP-MS data collection.
• Prepare, document, and QA samples and results per SOPs and safety rules.
• Collaborate with scientists on project activities and methods validation.

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Safety awareness

Education

Nuclear Fuel Engineering

Chemistry

Material Science

Tools

SEM-EDS

Raman spectroscopy

ICP-MS

Job description

Department: Nuclear Response and Analysis
Number of Positions:1
Duration: 8 Months (January-August)
Field of Study:Nuclear Fuel Engineering, Chemistry, and or/ Material Science
Year of study: 3rd fourth year or higher

What you will be doing!

• Evaluating and analyzing nuclear fuel data to identifying, extracting, and compiling signatures relevant to nuclear forensics, supporting material provenance, source attribution, and processing history.
• Utilizing a searchable nuclear forensics database by compiling, organizing, and integrating forensics-significant data to supporting analytical queries and data retrieval.
• Preparing, analyzing, and documenting samples and results in accordance with laboratory quality assurance requirements, standard operating procedures, and safety protocols.
• Operating and maintaining advanced analytical instrumentation, including SEM-EDS, Raman spectrometers, and QQQ-ICPMS, while ensuring accurate and reliable data collection.
• Assisting in developing, optimizing, and validating analytical methods for the characterization of CBRNE materials using SEM-EDS, Raman spectroscopy, and QQQ-ICPMS.
• Collaborating with nuclear forensics scientists and technologists on project activities to supporting the research and development of nuclear forensics capabilities.
• Performing other duties as assigned by the laboratory supervisor and manager.
• Other duties as assigned by your manager.
  

What we are looking for:

• Education
  • Currently enrolled at a university of recognized standing in a scientific field of study- Nuclear Fuel Engineering, Chemistry, and/or Material Science.
• Experience
  • Prior hands-on experience or coursework in material science and operating analytical instrumentation such as SEM-EDS, Raman spectroscopy, and ICPMS is an asset.
  • Laboratory experience in conducting scientific experiments.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Knowledge of nuclear fuel and its applications is an asset.
  • Demonstrate strong attention to detail, safety awareness, and willingness to learn in a research lab environment.
  • Good analytical, documentation, and communication skills.
• Security Clearance Eligibility Required
  • Reliability Status with Site Access Security Clearance (SASC), 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. Click here to read all about it!

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.