Intern - R&D Radiochemistry (Actinium Process Development)

TerraPower is a nuclear technology company based in Bellevue, Washington. At its core, the company is working to raise living standards globally through a more affordable, secure and environmentally friendly form of nuclear energy along with innovations in medical isotopes to improve human health. In 2006, TerraPower originated with Bill Gates and a group of like-minded visionaries who evaluated the fundamental challenges to raising living standards around the world. They recognized energy access was crucial to the health and economic well-being of communities and decided that the private sector needed to take action and create energy sources that would advance global energy deployment. TerraPower’s mission is to be a world leader in new nuclear technologies, while developing innovators and future leaders in the nuclear field. As a result, the company’s activities in the fields of nuclear energy and related sciences are yielding significant innovations in the safety and economics of nuclear power, hybrid energy and medical applications – all for significant human health benefits.

TerraPower is seeking to hire highly motivated and forward-thinking professionals who are interested in focusing on advanced nuclear reactor research and development and influencing change within the nuclear power landscape and bringing forward the critical production of medical isotopes.  TerraPower is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law..

Radiochemistry Intern (Actinium Process Development)

TerraPower Isotopes (TPI) seeks to support revolutionary radiotherapies for treatments of cancers, such as prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma by supplying radioisotopes that currently cannot be accessed in amounts required to develop medical treatments. The R&D Radiochemistry Intern will support TPI’s efforts toward the long-term production of actinium 225, leveraging specific expertise and experience working with radionuclides at scales relevant to this goal. 

The Radiochemist Intern will train in radiochemical material handling techniques, radiochemical processes, and will perform specific experiments and project tasks focused on novel methods relevant to optimizing the production and purification of actinium-225. This position interfaces with a dynamic interdisciplinary environment in which effective communication, teamwork and collaboration is required, while maintaining composure to act safely, ensure quality of data, and enable timely decision-making. The position will require good judgement in ensuring regulatory compliance while delivering on commercial production needs. 

This position interfaces with a dynamic interdisciplinary environment in which effective communication, teamwork and collaboration is required, while maintaining composure to act safely, ensure quality of data, and enable timely decision-making. The candidate must be capable of working closely with a focused and high achieving group, working with minimal day-to-day supervision, and relocating to the Everett, WA area.   

Responsibilities

• Complete radioactive material handling training under supervision of Senior R&D Radiochemist and Radiation Protection team.
• Develop and conduct radiochemistry experiments focused on manufacture and purification of radioisotopes under the mentorship of a Senior R&D Radiochemist.
• Assist in radiochemistry laboratory and system development, including efforts for flexible experimental chemistry capabilities to support TerraPower R&D activities.
• Maintain laboratory procedures (e.g., calibration, analytical methods, notebook results preparation, usage documentation).
• Perform all work in compliance with site safety and radiation protection guidelines, including effective teamwork and communication with health physicists, authorized users and RSO.
• Support ensuring organization, housekeeping and effectiveness of TerraPower R&D radiochemistry use areas and production facilities is maintained at a high standard at all times.
• Collect, analyze, and communicate project data to support design improvements and operational efficiency.
• Participate in professional development and group activities
• Compose and submit a study report summarizing research accomplishments.
• Perform all work in compliance with site safety and radiation protection guidelines.
• Maintain documentation on process operations as directed by SOPs.
• Demonstrate the highest standards with respect to safety and radiation protection in all work activities.

Key Qualifications and Skills

• Doctoral candidates in radiochemistry, chemistry or equivalent preferred. Undergraduates with relevant laboratory experience in conducting radiochemical experiments outside of a classroom setting will also be considered.
• Demonstrated laboratory experience in handling radioactive materials in a professional setting, such as in a private organization, national lab, or graduate research group.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience working according to safety procedures in a hazardous environment (chemical and radiological).
• Experience working and communicating productively in a diverse team including via written research reports.
• Experience following standard-operating procedures.
• Experience analyzing, cleaning and transforming raw data to a usable format using Microsoft excel.
• Self-organized, and proficient at planning out complex, sequential tasks.
• The successful candidate will possess a high degree of trust and integrity, communicate openly and display respect and a desire to foster teamwork.

Job Functions 

Job Functions are physical actions and/or working conditions associated with the position.  These functions may also constitute essential functions for the job which the employee must be able to fulfill, with or without accommodation.  Information provided below is to help describe the job so that the applicant has a reasonable understanding of the job duties/expectations.  An applicant's ability to perform and/or tolerate these actions and conditions will be discussed and workplace accommodations may be made on a case-by-case basis following an individualized assessment of the applicant and other considerations, including but not limited to any governing safety standards.

• Motor Abilities: Sitting and/or standing for extended periods, bending/stooping, grasping/gripping, fine motor control (hands)
• Physical exertion and/or requirements: Minimal, with ability to safely lift up to 25 pounds
• Repetitive work: Prolonged
• Special Senses: Visual and audio focused work
• Work Conditions: Stairs, typing/keyboard, standard and/or sitting working environment of >8 hrs./day
• Travel required: 0-5%

TerraPower’s technology is controlled for export by various agencies of the U.S. Government.  TerraPower must evaluate applicants who are foreign nationals (other than asylees, refugees, or lawful permanent residents) in accordance with U.S. Government export control requirements.  To facilitate TerraPower’s export control reviews, you will be asked as part of the application process to identify whether you are a U.S. Citizen or national, asylee, refugee, or lawful permanent resident of the United States.  Government export authorization approval times vary.  Based on the business needs for a particular position, TerraPower may not consider a foreign national from a country if it is impracticable to obtain timely Government export approval.  

Job details

Hourly rate range*

Undergraduate: $22.65 - $29.65

Graduate: $40.43 - $43.89

PhD: $43.89 - $51.71

Job Type:  Intern

Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation
• Hourly pay rate
• Weekly stipend for out of area Interns
• Weekly commuter stipend for local area Interns
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Interns accrue 1 hour of PTO for every 30 hours worked
• Holiday Schedule
• Paid holidays commensurate with Internship period and TerraPower Holiday Schedule
• Relocation Assistance for out of area Interns
• **Intern pay rate will be commensurate with degree path and academic year completed at start of Internship.

Internship Details:

Our internships typically run between 12 and 15 weeks, depending on your availability. Please see the details below for start dates and duration.

Please visit www.terrapower.com to apply