Applying to a position within the Safeguards Internship Program is a great opportunity to prove why you are the best person to serve the ongoing nuclear safeguards mission areas. Applications need to be well written to communicate clearly and concisely how candidates will contribute to the program and how the program aligns with specific career development and goals. Candidates should treat the application as a mechanism to make a positive argument for their candidacy.

Remember, candidates need to upload a single PDF file that includes a letter of interest, resume/CV, and unofficial transcripts when applying to each open posting in the internship program.

Find some tips and useful pointers below for each of the application components.

Letter of Interest

Similar to a cover letter, the application starts with a "Letter of Interest." This letter is an important part of the application as many of our reviewers typically read the Letter of Interest before ever looking at the resume to see if the candidate's communication skills are satisfactory enough for consideration. The letter needs to tell us who you are; why you are interested in nuclear security research, technology, or policy; and what impact you expect this experience to have on your education and career goals. It's often best to lead with an example of why you chose to pursue this field, then discuss relevant previous academic or prefessional experience and skills, and lastly present what you want to do next to better prepare yourself for your career.

Candidates should share accomplishments so far in the fields of international affairs, political science, science, or engineering, including relevant coursework. You may also include any other relevant experience that you feel has helped prepare you for this program. Suggested length is one page.

Resume/CV

If you have not yet had the opportunity for extensive research (whether policy or technical) then you should follow the normal parameters for a resume. If you have relevant research experiences, then we strongly encourage you to submit a CV (showing all relevant projects, courses, educational history, publications, posters, meetings attended, etc). In either case, please include three references. Suggested length for resumes is one to one and a half pages and two to four pages for CVs.

Unofficial Transcripts

Provide current unofficial transcripts for all schools. These need to list your GPA and completed courses.

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When asked for a resume, all candidates should upload one, single PDF formatted file that includes the following components:

1. Letter of Interest
2. Current tesume or CV including references
3. Unofficial transcripts for all current and past degrees.

Note: The system will only accept one file. If you make a mistake, you will need to create a new profile and start the process over. If any of the components are missing or not uploaded as one, single PDF, the application will be considered incomplete, and the application will not be eligible for consideration.

Students interested in applying for positions can apply online through the links below.

Post Masters Research Associate — Safeguards Internship

Application closed on Feb. 3, 2023.

*Eligible if degree was received within last 24 months (from the end of the current school year) or if degree will be received within the next 8 months. This is an exempt position with minimum duration of six months.

Technical Student — Safeguards Position

*Must be enrolled or matriculated in an undergraduate program (please include degree plan in application package to demonstrate fulfillment of this requirement).

Post Bachelors Research Associate — Safeguards Internship

*Eligible if degree was received within last two years (from the end of the current school year) or if degree is expected by the end of the current school year. This is an exempt position with a minimum duration of six months.

Masters Intern — Safeguards Internship

Must be enrolled or matriculated in a master's program (include this plan in the resume otherwise candidates may be deemed lacking minimum requirements).

PhD Intern — Safeguards Internship

*Must be enrolled or matriculated in PhD program (resume would need to show this plan otherwise the candidate may be deemed as lacking minimum requirements).