Summer Fellowship Opportunities to Propel the Next Generation of Nuclear Scientists

The Center for Space Nuclear Research (CSNR) invites undergraduate and graduate level students to experience cutting-edge research in nuclear power and propulsion technologies through our Summer Fellowship Program. CSNR Summer Fellows will work alongside scientists at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to complete a research project of current interest to NASA in potential nuclear technology performance. The Summer Fellows program allows participants to experience a real research environment, to learn from top-notch nuclear scientists, and to preview careers in research.

Summer 2011 research topics include: development of a Mars Hopper prototype; design of a Lunar Hopper; tungsten cermet fabrication; and nuclear thermal rocket optimization. Dr. Steven Howe, Director of the Center for Space Nuclear Research (CSNR), recognizes that '...the advantages for the CSNR of working with universities are the innovative ideas generated by the younger generations. Students tend to think up brand new ideas the rest of the scientific community may think impossible. The advantage for the students is the pragmatic education they get for future employment.'

The roughly 10-week program runs from May 2011 to August 2011. Fellows will receive a weekly stipend to cover living expenses and financial assistance with travel. Applicants for these highly competitive fellowships are strongly encouraged to apply before March 12, 2011 deadline by visiting the CSNR website: http://csnr.usra.edu . Selection criteria and further details about the objectives of the fellowship program can also be found on the Center's website.

Established in 2005, the Center for Space Nuclear Research (CSNR), located in Idaho Falls, ID, is operated by the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) and the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The CSNR provides a platform for university research scientists to collaborate with their counterparts at NASA, INL, and other DOE labs encouraging R&D for advanced space nuclear systems, power and propulsion systems, and radioisotope power generators to advance nuclear technologies for space exploration and other space applications.

Founded in 1969, USRA is an independent research corporation with competencies that span space, Earth, and life sciences related disciplines, which are closely aligned with the nation's science and national security agencies. As a non-profit corporation with 105 major research university members, USRA's scientific and technical staff collaborate with over 300 universities annually. This depth of reach into the research community provides a unique platform for advancing science and technology.