ANSTO offers exciting opportunities for apprentices, university graduates and a range of other employment fields to work at the home of Australia's nuclear science and technology.
But what's it actually like to work at ANSTO?
Here's what some of our recent university graduates who have successfully taken up placements with ANSTO had to say:
- Nuclear Operations
- International Relations
- Materials Engineering
- Environmental Research
- Mechanical engineering
Testimonial by James Hardiman
During my time at ANSTO I have worked with chemists, physicists, engineers, operators and political scientists.
I’ve even come up against some high level managers on the social soccer field. The diversity of work and the excellent work-life balance that is promoted at ANSTO has been greater than any other company I’ve worked for.
I don’t think many people start their university degree in Australia with the thought of working in the nuclear science industry. But the reality is that ANSTO is suited to so many different disciplines.
The opportunity to work with professionals within many different fields has been one of the most valuable experiences of the Graduate Development Program.
There is a well-defined career progression strategy at ANSTO and this is particularly evident within the Graduate Development Program.
The program is tailor-made and focussed at individual strengths and weaknesses and to ensure that personal and professional development is optimised. The rotational approach has allowed me to get a great understanding of the business and the nuclear industry as a whole.
This has helped me develop a clear career path that I am very excited about.
James completed a Bachelor in Engineering - Industrial Chemistry at the University of NSW in Sydney.
Testimonial by Eve Chong:
As an ANSTO Graduate, I was provided with an unparalleled opportunity to gain experience in the Australian nuclear industry.
In my first graduate rotation I was exposed to environmental research in a world-class research group and the diverse work, from conducting lab studies to doing field work, meant that I was always learning and developing new skills.
There was no fear of becoming lost as people in my team were perfectly willing to give their support and guidance.
My second rotation in international relations has provided an invaluable chance to meet key people across the organisation.
In researching and writing reports and white paper submissions, my work has given me a sound overview of ANSTO’s international collaborations and an introduction to the world of nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes.
Meeting the other graduates, who have diverse backgrounds in chemistry, physics and engineering, has been a real highlight.
If you are interested in science and policy, I recommend that you consider applying for ANSTO’s Graduate Training Program.
It has been a pleasure to go through this well-supported program, and I am confident that you will discover many things you didn’t know at one of Australia’s world-class research organisations.
Eve completed a Bachelor of Science (Chemistry)/LLB at the University of NSW in Sydney
Testimonial by Jessica Veliscek Carolan:
The Graduate Development Program was a great opportunity to discover my true calling as a nuclear chemist.
I loved research but coming straight out of university I was unsure what field I wanted to work in.
Getting selected to be part of ANSTO's development program allowed me to figure that out by getting some experience in the 'real world'. The result was a realisation that I loved a balance between lab work and working at my desk. I’m a chemistry girl at heart, so the field I chose was materials chemistry.
ANSTO has lots of great infrastructure and equipment that means we can do exciting science that cannot be done anywhere else in Australia. I get to do research in areas that excite me and work in a lab with fancy glassware and do reactions that make smoke and change colour.
One of the more memorable work experiences here at ANSTO was collecting seaweed from sewage outfalls - which is water-carried waste - and using an old fashioned pasta maker to make pasta to feed to yabbies. My friends outside ANSTO thought that was hilarious.
For my efforts an ANSTO colleague awarded me the 'ANSTO Master Chef Award for Services to Yabby Cuisine', which was a framed wooden spoon.
I've been fortunate to travel around the world as part of my work. Travelling offers a great opportunity to collaborate with the world's leading experts. The standout experience was a trip to work at the Argentine Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) in Buenos Aires, Argentina for three months.
I was also lucky enough to go to a conference in New Zealand to give a presentation and attend a summer school on actinide chemistry in France last year.
For anyone planning to participate in the graduate program; starting your first job with a group of people who are having the same (sometimes overwhelming) experience as you also makes a world of difference and really eases that transition between study and work.
Jessica completed a Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Honours I).
What is Jessica's PhD?
My PhD project is to make materials that can be used to separate specific elements out of used nuclear fuel.
These materials have a transition metal oxide support structure (for example titania or zirconia) which I then coat in a layer of organic molecules. The support structure gives the materials mechanical strength as well as making them more stable towards damage from acid and radiation.
The organic molecules are designed to make the materials selective for one or several target elements that we want to remove from the used nuclear fuel.
Testimonial by Monika Markowska:
The ANSTO graduate program has proved to be the perfect launching ground for my career in environmental science.
It is a unique opportunity to work with leading scientists on projects of national significance. So far, my work has been as diverse as commissioning and installing a radon detector in the Northern Territory, to caving in the Snowy Mountains for climate research [see photos below].
One of the appealing aspects of ANSTO’s program is that there is a high importance placed on graduate development.
There have been a multitude of courses available to us as well as the chance to pursue our own development opportunities, such as attending conferences or undertaking further study.
I’ve also have had the opportunity to be involved in community activities such as: ‘Science Week’ and ‘Cosmetic Chemistry’. These have not only been fun, but rewarding in the fact that they encourage kids to pursue careers in science.
One of the big things for me is the positive energy you get from the community here at ANSTO. I have received invaluable mentorship from my supervisors as well as colleagues.
This also translates on a social level where you have an instant network of other likeminded graduates - which makes the transition from study to work a breeze.
About the Institute for Environmental Research (IER)
The IER is focused on four core research projects that are designed to drive new science in the study of:
Palaeo-climate variability over the past few millions years
Management of groundwater and rivers, freshwater ecosystems and the human activities that affect them
Tracing the impact of humans on the environment
Accelerator-based science used for analysing specimens across a wide variety of research fields including physics, climate change, environmental science, zoology, biology, materials science, geology and archaeolog
Testimonial by Tim Rownes:
I studied both Mechanical engineering and physics, so the chance to work at Australia’s only nuclear reactor was too good to miss.
The interview process was rigorous, but I was well-prepared and I was thrilled to be offered a placement.
Working at the OPAL reactor this year has been a great experience.
In the Nuclear Operations team I’ve learned from some brilliant engineers, planned and managed critical projects, and dealt with problems as they arose.
I’ve replaced and upgraded essential components, negotiated with the regulator, and written many kinds of documents.
For my graduate rotation I’ve moved into reactor operator training; at the end of my rotation I can be accredited as a reactor operator!
The experience has been all that I’d hoped for and more. It’s been an excellent start to my career.
About the OPAL reactor
ANSTO's Open Pool Australian Lightwater (OPAL) reactor is a state-of-the-art 20 Megawatt reactor used to achieve a range of research, scientific, industrial and production goals.
A few examples include:
- Assisting in the production of Molybdenum-99 for the pharmaceutical industry. Want to know more?
- Strain scanning highlighted by recent research identifying structural weaknesses in rail lines
- Studies into the life of batteries used in devices such as electric cars, mobile phones and laptops
Published: 29/02/2012