2027 Winter Student Program - Waste Management Area (WMA) Operational Support Student

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories; Chalk River; Hybrid; CAD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories in Chalk River, Ontario, is offering a Winter Student Program for a Waste Management Area (WMA) Operational Support Student. You will analyze systems, translate requirements, and help build AI-assisted decision-support tools for Waste Acceptance Criteria.

Four-month term (January–April) with four 10-hour days per week. On-site role at Chalk River Laboratory with equity, diversity & inclusion commitments and strong safety culture.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a university program in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Geochemistry, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Data Science, Applied Analytics or related interdisciplinary program.
• Experience with data analysis, software development, automation, engineering, environmental sciences, or decision-support systems through academic projects, co-ops, internships or research.
• Exposure to AI-assisted technologies, automation, or decision-support tools is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Analyze existing systems, processes, and documentation to develop structured rules, logic flows, and decision criteria.
• Translate complex technical, operational, and regulatory requirements into structured and machine-readable formats.
• Support the development of AI-assisted and rule-based decision-support tools related to Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC).
• Collaborate with subject matter experts to validate logic, assumptions, business rules, and expected outcomes.
• Develop documentation for both technical and non-technical users.
• Assist with design, prototyping, and testing of decision-support tools and chatbot-style interfaces.
• Support data analysis, information organization, and knowledge management initiatives.
• Contribute to digital transformation projects that improve operational efficiency and consistency.
• Participate in meetings and technical discussions with multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Structured thinking

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Computer Science

Software Engineering

Systems Engineering

Chemical Engineering

Chemistry

Geochemistry

Environmental Sciences

Environmental Engineering

Data Science

Applied Analytics

Tools

Python

Pseudocode

SQL

Job description

2027 Winter Student Program - Waste Management Area (WMA) Operational Support Student Position Number 1256 Classification Term # of openings 1

Are you looking for an opportunity to apply your technical and analytical skills to real-world challenges? Can you see yourself as a Waste Management Area (WMA) Operational Support Analyst (Student), helping transform complex technical requirements into intelligent decision-support tools that support safe and compliant waste management operations? Do you enjoy working with structured data, problem-solving, AI-assisted technologies, and collaborating with subject matter experts to improve how information is organized and used? If you answered yes, then 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: 8529 - Waste Management Facilities
Number of Positions:1
Duration: 4 Months (January-April)
Field of Study: Computer Science, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Geochemistry, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Data Science, Applied Analytics or a related interdisciplinary program.
Year of study: 2nd year or higher

What you will be doing!

• Analyzing existing systems, processes, and documentation to develop structured rules, logic flows, and decision criteria.
• Translating complex technical, operational, and regulatory requirements into structured and machine-readable formats.
• Supporting the development of AI-assisted and rule-based decision-support tools related to Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC).
• Collaborating with subject matter experts to validate logic, assumptions, business rules, and expected outcomes.
• Developing documentation for both technical and non-technical users.
• Assisting with the design, prototyping, and testing of decision-support tools and chatbot-style interfaces.
• Supporting data analysis, information organization, and knowledge management initiatives.
• Contributing to digital transformation projects that improve operational efficiency and consistency.
• Participating in meetings and technical discussions with multidisciplinary teams.
• Other duties as assigned by your manager.

What we are looking for:

• Education

  Currently enrolled in a University program in one of the following disciplines:

  • Computer Science.
  • Software Engineering.
  • Systems Engineering.
  • Chemical Engineering.
  • Chemistry.
  • Geochemistry.
  • Environmental Sciences.
  • Environmental Engineering.
  • Data Science.
  • Applied Analytics.
  • Or a related interdisciplinary program.
• Experience
  • Experience gained through academic projects, co-op placements, internships, research activities, or personal projects involving data analysis, software development, automation, engineering, environmental sciences, or decision-support systems.
  • Experience working with structured information, databases, workflows, business logic, or technical documentation is considered an asset.
  • Exposure to AI-assisted technologies, automation, or decision-support tools is considered an asset.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Strong ability to interpret technical, operational, and regulatory documentation.
  • Demonstrated logical thinking skills with an interest in decision rules, acceptance criteria, and structured workflows.
  • Proven ability to organize complex information into clear, traceable, and structured formats.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with tables, schemas, datasets, and rule-based systems.
  • Basic proficiency in programming, scripting, or logic development using tools such as Python, pseudocode, or related technologies.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to prepare clear, accurate, and user-friendly documentation.
  • Proven ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and subject matter experts.
  • Applied knowledge of AI-assisted tools, automation concepts, or decision-support systems is considered an asset.
  • Demonstrated attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality work in a structured environment.
  • Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• 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: Four (4) days per week, ten (10) hours per day for a forty (40) hour work week.

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.