Job Summary

The Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board (Board) is an independent agency of the Executive Branch of the U.S.

Federal government that evaluates the scientific and technical validity of activities undertaken by the Department of Energy (DOE) in managing and disposing of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste in accordance with the terms of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as amended.  The Board reports its findings and recommendations to Congress and the Secretary of Energy at least twice a year. The Board is composed of 11 part-time Board members appointed by the President, supported by 10 full time staff.  The Board’s summer staff intern position offers a unique opportunity for undergraduates or graduate students (U.S. Citizens) studying disciplines relevant to the nuclear fuel cycle and the geologic disposal of radioactive waste.  The selected intern(s) will gain practical experience working with Board members and the Board’s professional staff in supporting the review of activities related to the management of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste.

 Duties

The internship is intended for students majoring in relevant disciplines related to the back-end of the nuclear fuel cycle or geologic disposal of high-level radioactive waste. The activities to be undertaken by the selected intern(s) will include the investigation of a scientific or technical issue related to the Board’s mission. Specific opportunities for the selected intern are:

– Engaging in research and drafting a technical report or primer on a topic relevant to the Board’s mission while being mentored by one or more of the Board’s senior professional staff and Board members. This will allow the selected intern(s) to gain insights into how the Board members apply their academic experience and research interests to the Board’s mission.

-Attending Board meetings and meetings with other organizations such as the Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.  The intern(s) may also travel to conferences and nuclear facilities with Board members or staff in support of the Board’s technical review activities.

-Presenting to the Board’s senior professional staff, the results of an investigation of a scientific or technical issue undertaken during the internship.

-Other duties may be assigned based upon the selected intern’s academic discipline and interests.