AFIT Radiation Interaction Research Internship

ORAU; Kentucky; Hybrid; USD 27,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance Supplement

Relocation Allowance

Training and Travel Allowance

Job summary

ORAU's ORISE internship at AFIT in Dayton, Ohio invites motivated students to join a community of scientists and researchers exploring radiation interactions with materials. You'll study fundamental physics, run computational simulations, and help interpret results to assess applications for Air Force technologies.

Under supervision, you will gain hands-on research experience, present findings, and develop communications skills through reports, posters, and oral talks during a 10-week

Qualifications

• Pursuing or have completed a bachelor's degree.
• Strong programming experience.
• Basic physics coursework.

Responsibilities

• Join a community of researchers investigating radiation interactions with materials.
• Study fundamental physics and connect to Air Force applications.
• Use computational tools to simulate interactions and interpret results.

Skills

Programming experience

Basic Physics coursework

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Organization

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

Reference Code

AFIT-2026-0016

Description

The Air Force Institute of Technology is offering a 2026 internship at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

What will I be doing?

As an ORISE participant, you will join a community of scientists and researchers in their efforts to investigate the interactions of radiation with a wide range of materials such as nuclear fuels/cladding, radiation detectors, and Air Force air crew. Selected candidates will study the fundamental physics involved and explore the connections to Air Force related applications. Computational tools will be used to simulate and deepen understanding of these interactions. The selected candidates will then participate in interpreting the effects of the simulations to assess impact on applications.

Education

Under the guidance of a mentor, you will gain hands‑on experience to complement your education and support your academic and professional goals. Along the way, you will engage in activities and research in several areas. These include, but are not limited to:

• Relate fundamental nuclear physics and engineering concepts to Air Force applications and experimental data
• Gain experience with computational simulations of radiation interactions and subsequent effects
• Learn to communicate results to the broader AFIT and scientific communities via written reports, poster presentations, and/or oral presentations

Where will I be located?

Dayton, Ohio

What is the anticipated start date?

Exact start dates determined at the time of selection and in coordination with the selected candidate. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis and internships will be filled as qualified candidates are identified.

What is the appointment length?

Research interns are typically appointed for a term of 10 weeks, with the possibility to be renewed for additional periods. Appointments may be extended depending on funding availability, project assignment, program rules, and availability of the participant.

What are the provisions?

You will receive a stipend to be determined by AFIT. Stipends are typically based on a participant’s academic standing, discipline, experience, and research facility location. Other provisions may include the following:

• Health Insurance Supplement (Participants are eligible to purchase health insurance through ORISE)
• Relocation Allowance
• Training and Travel Allowance

About AFIT

The Air Force Institute of Technology, or AFIT, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the Air Force’s graduate school of engineering and management as well as its institution for technical professional continuing education. A component of Air University and Air Education and Training Command, AFIT is committed to providing defense‑focused graduate and professional continuing education and research to sustain the technological supremacy of America’s air, space and cyber forces.

About ORISE

This program, administered by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and DoD. Participants do not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DoD or any other office or agency. Instead, you will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE. For more information, visit the ORISE Research Participation Program at the U.S. Department of Defense.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate will have completed or be currently pursuing a bachelor's degree. The degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.

Highly competitive applicants will have education and/or experience in one or more of the following:

• Programming experience
• Basic Physics coursework

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Bachelor’s Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (
    • Analytical Chemistry
    • Bio‑inorganic Chemistry
    • Bio‑organic Chemistry
    • Biophysical Chemistry
    • Chemistry (General)
    • Environmental Chemistry
    • Inorganic Chemistry
    • Materials Sciences
    • Organic Chemistry
    • Physical Chemistry
    • Polymer Chemistry
    • Theoretical Chemistry
• Communications and Graphics Design (2 )
• Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
• Earth and Geosciences (21 )
• Engineering (27 )
• Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
• Life Health and Medical Sciences (48 )
• Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
• Physics (16 )
• Science & Engineering‑related (2 )
• Social and Behavioral Sciences (28 )
• Age: Must be 18 years of age