Are You Ready For a Challenge?
The Safeguards Internship Program is one of a wide range of student opportunities offered at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. PNNL is seeking several ambitious, high-caliber students for a flexible summer internship. Students pursuing a policy focus will gain a basic technical understanding to complement their policy experience, while technically focused students acquire policy activity during the internship.
The growth of nuclear power worldwide requires a strong community of safety, security, and safeguards professionals trained in a variety of disciplines, including:
- Nuclear and Engineering Fields
- Nuclear Physics
- Accounting
- Health Physics
- Applied Mathematics and Statistics
- Science
- Chemistry
- Project Management
- International Relations
Our National Laboratory, our nation, and our world need skilled professionals to enable us to successfully meet the technical challenges of the future.
Our Internship Program
In addition to the unique opportunity of working at a cutting-edge national research and development laboratory, successful applicants will receive a Certificate of Achievement upon completion of the international safeguards course. Interns may be given the opportunity to extend their stay at PNNL or continue to work hourly during the school year. Perhaps the most appealing benefit is the opportunity to pursue an exciting career in an innovative atmosphere of discovery. Students entering this program as a National Security Intern may qualify for tuition reimbursement.
PNNL offers a wide range of education intern programs through our Science and Engineering Education.
We Are Seeking
Students who have completed high school and who are admitted, in active status, and in good standing in an undergraduate/graduate program within an accredited college or university. Undergraduate, post bachelors, graduate, post masters, and doctoral students are encouraged to apply. A Grade Point Average over 3.0 (out of 4.0) is preferred. The prospective intern's course of study could be focused in, but not limited to, disciplines that include chemistry, engineering, science, physics, political science, economics, or international studies.
We offer internship length flexibility, short and long opportunities ranging from 8- to 12- weeks during the summer months and beyond. Alternative Sponsored Fellow appointments are also available.
Why Choose our Next Generation Safeguards Internship?
We understand that interns place a high value on networking, diversity, and developing personal relationships with each other. Our one-week intensive introduction course provides you the opportunity to experience the wide range of topics, technologies, and challenges affecting international safeguards today – from an overview of the nuclear fuel cycle to future directions in disarmament, establish your community of friends and colleagues.
To fit your individual need and goals, you will be paired with Safeguards experts in your field of interest. You will participate in facility tour trips not available at any other location in the U.S. (such as the historic B Reactor) and learn from technical experts beyond your mentors. In addition, we encourage team-building activities like sports leagues, and local and national professional society events. You will also appreciate having coordinators who help to connect you with other interns, and opportunities for social engagement and networking.
A Day in the Life of a Safeguards Intern
Our program is designed to give interns a grounding in the legal and policy foundations of safeguards, an overview of how safeguards are implemented and how they have evolved in response to challenges, and an understanding of contemporary and prospective technical issues in safeguards. To make sure you gain valuable hands-on experience, you will be paired with experienced mentors and gain valuable skills while working on ongoing nuclear safeguards related projects with office, lab and field dimensions. You will take part in the intensive introduction to international safeguards, a week-long course consisting of lectures, tours, demonstrations, and in-class exercises focused on the following topics:
- Concepts, objectives, and history of nuclear safeguards
- Negotiation of safeguards agreements
- Safeguards information analysis
- Effectiveness and limitations of safeguards
- Future development of safeguards
- Verification technology
- Safeguards implementation
- Nonproliferation policy and technology
This course will also include tours of local commercial and historical nuclear facilities.