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Nuclear Internship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Nuclear Internship information

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How much do nuclear internship jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for nuclear internship in the United States is $15.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.50 and $17.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Nuclear Intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Nuclear Intern, you typically need a foundation in nuclear engineering or a related STEM field, supported by coursework or early degree progress. Familiarity with simulation software, radiation detection tools, and safety protocols is often expected, along with any relevant safety training certifications. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective teamwork help interns excel in research and technical environments. These skills and qualifications are important to ensure safety, contribute meaningfully to projects, and build a successful foundation for a career in the nuclear industry.

What types of projects or tasks can I expect to work on during a nuclear internship?

During a nuclear internship, you'll typically be involved in a mix of hands-on and analytical tasks. Depending on the facility, you may assist with reactor operations, safety assessments, radiation monitoring, or data analysis related to nuclear processes. Interns often work alongside experienced engineers and scientists, gaining exposure to industry-standard procedures and compliance requirements. This hands-on experience is valuable for understanding the complexities of nuclear operations and helps build a strong foundation for future roles in the field.

What is the difference between Nuclear Internship vs Nuclear Technician?

AspectNuclear InternshipNuclear Technician
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing or recent graduate with relevant courseworkAssociate's or Bachelor's degree in nuclear technology or related field
Work EnvironmentTraining sites, laboratories, or nuclear facilities for learning purposesOperational nuclear power plants, research reactors, or maintenance facilities
Employer & Industry UsageEducational institutions, government agencies, nuclear companies for trainingPower plants, research labs, nuclear service companies for operational roles
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level training opportunities in nuclear industryLearning about technical roles in nuclear facilities

In summary, a Nuclear Internship is a training position aimed at students or recent graduates gaining industry experience, while a Nuclear Technician is a technical role requiring specific education and involved in operational tasks within nuclear facilities.

What is a nuclear internship?

A nuclear internship is a temporary position for students or recent graduates to gain hands-on experience in the nuclear industry. Interns typically work in areas such as nuclear engineering, reactor operations, radiation safety, or nuclear policy, assisting professionals and participating in real-world projects. These internships provide valuable insights into the field, networking opportunities, and can often lead to full-time employment after graduation. Participants may work at nuclear power plants, research institutions, or governmental agencies involved in nuclear science and technology.
More about Nuclear Internship jobs
What cities are hiring for Nuclear Internship jobs? Cities with the most Nuclear Internship job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Nuclear jobs? The most popular types of Nuclear jobs are:
What states have the most Nuclear Internship jobs? States with the most job openings for Nuclear Internship jobs include:
Nuclear Fuels and Materials Internships

Nuclear Fuels and Materials Internships

Idaho National Laboratory

Idaho Falls, ID • On-site

$94K - $113K/yr

Internship

Posted 8 days ago


Idaho National Laboratory rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

12th of 103 rated laboratories


Job description

Idaho National Laboratory University/College Internships-NUCLEAR FUELS AND MATERIALS INTERNSHIPS
Typical Degree Programs Sought Include: (Nuclear Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil/Structural Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering)
Please note that if you are interested in other INL internship categories in addition to this one, you will need to complete the application for each of those categories as well. Most of the information you provide while completing the initial application carries over to your new applications. You will have to review your previously submitted information in each step, ensure it is complete and then click the submit button on the final step.
The Opportunity:
Internships at Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory (INL) hosts over 300 undergraduate and graduate students each year to support INL's mission. Opportunities for interns at INL range from nuclear engineering to cybersecurity and include non-scientific positions in various operations and business disciplines.
Join INL's team and find your exceptional educational experience in a real-world work environment. INL offers a unique opportunity to learn, collaborate, innovate and conduct research with top researchers and professionals.
The Deliverables:
Interns will spend the first week of their assignment working with their mentor to outline their work scope and to secure resources for a successful internship. For the next several weeks, the mentor will provide considerable program assistance and guidance to the intern. In addition to regular activities, interns are invited to attend weekly seminars, tours and community events designed with career development in mind. Completion of a final project is highly recommended and can be completed through a variety of mediums - a traditional poster, electronic presentation or video.
The Process:
Through this single application, you are considered for all internship projects related to Nuclear Fuels and Materials. Simply complete the application questions which will help us identify what knowledge and experience you already have that may be related to the preferred qualifications for each individual internship project. It is common for applicants to receive consideration for multiple projects at varying times throughout the process. Mentors will make direct contact with applicants who meet their project qualifications to share the specific details of the project. On average, INL plans for approximately 300 internships each year. Most internships provide flexibility with start and end dates to account for varying university term schedules. We encourage early applications to increase the number of opportunities available to you.
The Projects:
Internship projects will focus on development, fabrication and examination of innovative revolutionary materials for application with nuclear technologies. Typical projects focus on materials for reactor fuels and cladding, reactor core and components, reactor cooling and safety systems and power plant structures. Interns are introduced to many of the unique research facilities and capabilities available at INL. These resources include:
~The world's premier nuclear test reactor, the Advanced Test Reactor.
~Analytical Laboratories with hot cells, gloveboxes, chemistry lab, 5-ton bridge crane, mass spectrometers, post irradiation characterization, radiation measurements lab and radioisotope characterization.
~The NRAD Neutron RADiography reactor.
~The Fuels and Applied Science Building with a Cobalt-60 gamma irradiator, molten salt electrorefiner, inert atmosphere gloveboxes, thermal characterization instruments, fabrication equipment, ceramic powder processing equipment and sintering furnaces.
~The Irradiated Materials Characterization Laboratory provides heavily shielded state-of-the-art electron beam characterization capabilities for post-irradiation examination of fuels and materials
~The Space and Security Power Systems Facility Radioisotope Power Systems are assembled and qualified to power equipment for deep space missions.
~The nation's premier hot cell facility, the Hot Fuel Examination Facility, where irradiated fuels and materials are examined using a variety of techniques to assess performance in reactor.
~The Fuel Conditioning Facility is used for treatment of sodium-bonded metal fuel and pyroprocessing.
~The Experimental Fuels Facility focused on development of nuclear fuels and fabrication methods.
~The Transient Test Reactor creates short term bursts of neutrons to simulate reactor accident scenarios and develop safer nuclear fuels.
~The Matched Index of Refraction facility provides experimental measurements for assessment and validation of computational fluid dynamics codes.
~The High Temperature Test Lab creates specialized sensors that are used inside of test reactors to monitor the in-core performance of nuclear fuels and materials experiments.
~The Safety and Tritium applied Research Facility is used for fusion research, hydrogen fuel, activated structural materials, beryllium, lithium, lead and fluoride salt experiments.
Some projects interns have participated in recently include:
--Analyze and identify microstructural features of irradiated TRISO fuel kernels to determine the effect of irradiation level on the microstructure and fission product distribution.
--Development of LabView software and experimental setup for the thermal conductivity measurements using 3-omega method.
--Image analysis and reconstruction for the evaluation of nuclear fuel performance. Source images include high-resolution optical micrographs and digitized x-ray and neutron radiographs. Quantitative analysis of these images was performed using MATLAB tools developed for this application.
--Development of a database of microstructural and physical properties of selected uranium based nuclear fuel materials. Student may assist with diffusional and or chemical interactive studies followed by microstructural evaluation.
--Design a miniature constant load testing rig that can be inserted in a high pressure high temperature autoclave to test irradiated specimens.
The development sample preparation techniques to analyze cracking for irradiated metallic test specimens.
--Examination and analysis of nuclear fuels and materials using electron microscopy techniques that include SEM, TEM, FIB, and potentially APT.
--Development of a camera-based digital neutron radiography system for examination of highly radioactive objects.
--Designing and demonstrating the use of digital image correlation for measuring strain in mechanical testing from a large distance through a thick shield window.
--Development and testing of a next-generation system for non-destructive examination of irradiated fuels.
Required Qualifications:
All Internship Candidates Must:
  • Have the ability to pass a background check
  • Possess a minimum overall 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA)
  • Complete this application, which is used to place students based on their academic interests, coursework, knowledge and communication skills
  • Enrolled full time student status at an accredited college or university (undergraduate, graduate, PhD).

Note: Many INL community college interns are hired through the U.S. Department of Energy's Community College Internship Program. We recommend you also apply to DOE's Internship Program at http://science.energy.gov/wdts/cci/
Helpful Tips to Prepare You for Your INL Internship Application:
  1. Current resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  2. Unofficial Transcripts (include current and completed degree programs)
  3. Current class schedule and number of credits

Recommendations:
  • Work with your career center to develop a resume or CV that is functional (this is your opportunity for a first impression)
  • Review the INL website and learn more about our business and research programs and how they could enrich your degree plan https://www.inl.gov/
  • Ask your professors if they have collaborated on INL research programs and seek their permission to list them as a reference
  • Review the INL Academic Partnerships web site for valuable information on our internship programs https://www.inl.gov/inl-initiatives/education/

Internship Programs Specialists:
Ali Josephson (ali.josephson@inl.gov) Brian Rucks (brian.rucks@inl.gov)
Delisa Rogers (delisa.rogers@inl.gov) Myken Johnson (myken.johnson@inl.gov) Thomas Steele (thomas.steele@inl.gov)
Equal Employment Opportunity
Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

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About Idaho National Laboratory

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Idaho National Laboratory is a leading multi-disciplinary national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy's missions in nuclear and energy research, science, and national defence. Located in Idaho Falls, ID, US, it operates under the management of Battelle Energy Alliance. Since its inception in 1949, the lab has remained at the forefront of nuclear energy innovations and advancements, providing critical scientific and technological inputs to support national priorities. Guided by its commitment to excellence, innovative research, collaborative partnerships, and integrity, the lab continues to play a vital role in driving America's nuclear and energy future.

Industry

Scientific research and development services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Idaho Falls, ID, US

Year founded

1949

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